Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-12012026-269296
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 18]
NEW DELHI, MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026/PAUSHA 22, 1947
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the, 2026
G.S.R. 18 (E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses (a), (b), (c),
(k), (m), (n) and (t) of sub-section (2) of section 31 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of
2025), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the National Sports Governance
(National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026.
(2) These rules shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions. — (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, —
(a) "Act" means the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025);
(b) "Central Government” shall mean the Department of the Central Government which has been allocated
the subject matter of sports under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961;
(c) "Elected Post" means all posts on the Executive Committee, other than, —
(i) the posts reserved for representatives of the Athletes Committee under sub-clause (ii) of
clause (b) under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act; and
(ii) the posts to be occupied by ex officio members under sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) under sub-
section (1) of section 4 of the Act;
(d) "Election Rules" means the rules applicable to Elections to the Executive Committees as specified in
Schedule II;
(e) "Electoral Officer” means the person notified under sub-section (1) of section 16 of the Act;
(f) "Executive Committee” means the committee constituted in every National Sports Body pursuant to
clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act;
(g) “General Body" means the body constituted in every National Sports Body pursuant to clause (a) of
sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act;
(h) "National Sports Board" means the Board established pursuant to section 5 of the Act;
(i) "Schedule” means the schedule annexed to these rules; and
(j) "Sportspersons of outstanding merit Eligibility Rules" means the eligibility rules for sportspersons of
outstanding merit as specified in Schedule I.
(2) Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined herein but defined in the Act, shall have the
meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
CHAPTER 2
SPORTSPERSONS OF OUTSTANDING MERIT
3. Representation of sportspersons of outstanding merit in the General Body. — (1) The General Body
of each National Sports Body shall include, as voting members, at least four, or any other higher even
number, of sportspersons of outstanding merit, of which fifty per cent. shall be male sportspersons of
outstanding merit and fifty per cent. shall be female sportspersons of outstanding merit.
(2) The manner of election or nomination of sportspersons of outstanding merit under sub-rule (1) may be
specified in the bye-laws of the relevant National Sports Body.
4. Representation of sportspersons of outstanding merit in the Executive Committee. — The
sportspersons of outstanding merit to be included in the Executive Committee pursuant to sub-clause (i) of
clause (b) to sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act, shall be elected to the Executive Committee in
accordance with rule 9.
5. Eligibility criteria and application. — (1) The National Sports Body shall call for applications for
persons to be considered as sportspersons of outstanding merit and such call for applications shall specify
the General Eligibility Criteria and Tiered Eligibility Criteria as specified in Schedule I, pursuant to which
the sportspersons of outstanding merit rosters shall be populated.
(2) Any person seeking to submit an application to be a sportsperson of outstanding merit shall satisfy the
General Eligibility Criteria as specified in the Sportspersons of outstanding merit Eligibility Rules under
Schedule I, and submit an application within a period of sixty days from the issuance of the call for
applications, to the relevant National Sports Body, in such form and containing such information as may be
specified by the relevant Executive Committee or in the bye-laws of such National Sports Body.
6. Roster of sportspersons of outstanding merit. — (1) On consideration of applications made under sub-
rule (2) of rule 5, every National Sports Body shall prepare a roster of male sportspersons of outstanding
merit and a roster of female sportspersons of outstanding merit, in respect of the designated sport
concerning such body at least ninety days prior to the expiry of the term of such National Sports Body's
incumbent Executive Committee.
(2) The roster of male sportspersons of outstanding merit and roster of female sportspersons of outstanding
merit shall each include ten times the number of male sportspersons of outstanding merit or female
sportspersons of outstanding merit, as the case may be, in the General Body of such National Sports Body.
(3) The National Sports Body shall adhere to the following procedure while populating the relevant
sportspersons of outstanding merit roster, as applicable for male sportspersons of outstanding merit and
female sportspersons of outstanding merit, namely :-
(a) in the first instance, all applicants who satisfy the General Eligibility Criteria and Tier 1 of the Tiered
Eligibility Criteria set forth in Schedule I, shall be included in the relevant sportspersons of outstanding
merit roster;
(b) in the event that the sportspersons of outstanding merit roster, pursuant to clause (a), cannot be
populated to meet the threshold specified in sub-rule (2), the National Sports Body shall include such
applicants who satisfy the General Eligibility Criteria and the Tiered Eligibility Criteria in the Tier
level immediately following the level last considered, in a sequential manner, until the number of
applicants included in the relevant sportspersons of outstanding merit roster satisfies such threshold;
(c) where the number of sportspersons of outstanding merit, pursuant to the use of a particular Tier,
exceeds the threshold specified in sub-rule (2), then the eldest applicant by age shall receive preference
and priority in selection from among the group of candidates qualifying under such Tier; and
(d) where the National Sports Body is unable to populate the relevant sportspersons of outstanding merit
roster to meet the threshold specified under sub-rule (2) based on the steps under clauses (a) to (c), it
may issue another call for applications in accordance with sub-rule (1) of rule 5 or frame and adopt
additional tiered criteria for such sportspersons of outstanding merit roster, which shall be based on the
principles used in Schedule I.
(4) The sportspersons of outstanding merit rosters, as finalised in accordance with this rule, shall be
published on the official website of the relevant National Sports Body and submitted to the National Sports
Board.
(5) Any person appearing on a sportspersons of outstanding merit roster shall be considered a sportsperson
of outstanding merit in respect of such National Sports Body for the purposes of the Act and the rules
thereunder.
CHAPTER 3
GENERAL BODY AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
7. Composition of the General Body. — (1) The General Body of every National Sports Body shall have
the following categories of members, namely:-
(a) at least four sportspersons of outstanding merit;
(b) ex officio members as specified in the bye-laws of the National Olympic Committee in the case of the
National Olympic Committee;
(c) in the case of the National Olympic Committee, representatives of each National Sports Federation
registered as an affiliate unit with the National Sports Board;
(d) in case of a National Sports Body other than the National Olympic Committee, representatives of each
State level affiliate unit registered with the National Sports Board; and
(e) any other category of persons as may be provided by the bye-laws of a National Sports Body, in
accordance with the relevant International Charters and Statutes as issued by the International Olympic
Committee, or as required by the relevant International Sports Body.
(2) The election or nomination of sportspersons of outstanding merit to the General Body, as specified
under clause (a) of sub-rule (1), shall be undertaken at least seventy-five days prior to the expiry of the term
of the incumbent Executive Committee of the relevant National Sports Body.
8. Term of office and composition of the Executive Committee. — (1) The term of office of an
Executive Committee of each National Sports Body as determined by the bye-laws of the relevant body,
shall not exceed four years.
(2) The bye-laws of a National Sports Body specifying its composition shall ensure that at least one of the
sportspersons of outstanding merit on the Executive Committee and one of the representatives from the
Athletes Committee on the Executive Committee, shall be a woman.
(3) Every National Sports Body may, through its bye-laws, reserve specific posts for women in the
Executive Committee, to ensure compliance with the first proviso to clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section
4 of the Act.
9. Procedure governing election to Executive Committee. - (1) The election to all Elected Posts in the
Executive Committee shall be conducted at least once every four years, in a fair and transparent manner
and in accordance with the Election Rules in Schedule II.
(2) Unless otherwise specified in the International Charters and Statutes, the Executive Committee shall, by
resolution, appoint an Electoral Officer from the National Sports Election Panel, at least sixty days prior to
the expiry of such Executive Committee's term, for the preparation of the electoral roll and conduct of
elections to the Executive Committee and to the Athletes Committee.
(3) The Executive Committee shall, in consultation with the Electoral Officer appointed under sub-rule (2),
notify the date for elections, at least fifty days prior to the expiry of such Executive Committee's term.
(4) The Electoral Officer shall be responsible for ensuring smooth conduct of the elections to the Executive
Committee of the National Sports Body in compliance with the Election Rules under Schedule II.
(5) The National Sports Body shall provide the requisite number of administrative staff as specified by the
Electoral Officer to assist such officer to conduct the elections to the Executive Committee.
(6) The National Sports Body shall adhere to the timelines specified in these rules and as summarised
below in order to conduct an election for its Executive Committee:
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Rule/Clause| Event | Timeline |
+============+=============================================================+===========================================================+
| Rule 5(2) | Submission of application to be a sportsperson of outstanding merit | Within sixty days of the call for applications under sub-rule (1) of rule 5. |
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Rule 6(1) | Preparation of a roster of male sportspersons of outstanding merit and a roster of female sportspersons of outstanding merit | At least ninety days prior to the expiry of the term of the incumbent Executive Committee. |
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Rule 7(2) | Election or nomination of sportspersons of outstanding merit to the General Body | At least seventy-five days prior to the expiry of the term of the incumbent Executive Committee. |
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Rule 9(2) | Appointment of an Electoral Officer | At least sixty days prior to the expiry of the term of the incumbent Executive Committee. |
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Rule 9(3) | Notification of election date | At least fifty days prior to the expiry of the term of the incumbent Executive Committee. |
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Rule 10(5) | Preparation and release of draft electoral roll | At least forty-five days prior to the expiry of the term of the incumbent Executive Committee. |
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Clause 5(i) of Schedule II | Call for elections, release of final electoral roll and invitation for nominations | At least thirty days prior to the expiry of the term of the incumbent Executive Committee. |
+------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
10. Election to the Executive Committee. — (1) Unless otherwise specified in the International Charters
and Statutes, any person who meets the eligibility criteria under sub-section (2) of section 4 of the Act and
is not subject to disqualification under rule 11 may contest for election to the Executive Committee of a
National Sports Body.
(2) Members of the General Body of the National Olympic Committee as specified under sub-rule (1) of
rule 7, shall be eligible to vote for the election to its Executive Committee as specified below, namely:-
(a) every individual sportsperson of outstanding merit shall have one vote;
(b) every individual ex officio member shall have one vote;
(c) every National Sports Federation that is registered with the National Sports Board as an affiliate unit of
the National Olympic Committee, shall have a maximum of two votes, to be exercised by separate
individual representatives of such affiliate unit; and
(d) for any category of persons specified under clause (e) of sub-rule (1) of rule 7, one vote for each such
person.
(3) Members of the General Body of a National Sports Body other than the National Olympic Committee,
as specified under sub-rule (1) of rule 7, shall be eligible to vote for the election to its Executive Committee
as specified below, namely:-
(a) every individual sportsperson of outstanding merit shall have one vote;
(b) every State level affiliate unit of the National Sports Body that is registered with the National Sports
Board, shall have a maximum of two votes, to be exercised by separate individual representatives of
such affiliate unit; and
(c) for any category of persons specified under clause (e) of sub-rule (1) of rule 7, one vote for each such
person.
(4) The electoral roll for an election to the Executive Committee shall consist of only such members or their
representatives in the General Body of the relevant National Sports Body that have voting rights as per sub-
rule (2) or sub-rule (3), as the case may be, and are not otherwise disqualified under the provisions of the
Act or these rules.
(5) The draft electoral roll for the election shall be prepared and released by the Electoral Officer in
consultation with the then current Executive Committee of the National Sports Body, at least forty-five
days prior to the expiry of the term of such Executive Committee:
Provided that the Electoral Officer's decision shall be final and binding in respect of the inclusion
or non-inclusion, as the case may be, of any person on the electoral roll.
(6) The Electoral Officer shall provide for at least seven days from the release of the draft electoral roll, to
receive and respond to any objections regarding the composition of the final electoral roll.
11. Disqualifications. — (1) A person shall be disqualified from being a member of the General Body, or
of any committee of a National Sports Body, and shall not be eligible for contesting for election to the
Executive Committee or the Athletes Committee, if such person is-
(a) declared insolvent under applicable law; or
(b) subject to a conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction in India for an offence, followed by a
sentence of imprisonment; or
(c) subject to a ban from holding any such position by an order of the Ethics Committee of such National
Sports Body:
Provided that the disqualification in respect of -
(i) clause (a) shall be for the period of insolvency as applicable;
(ii) clause (b) shall be for a period of one full term of the Executive Committee after the
completion of such sentence; and
(iii) clause (c) shall be for the duration of such ban.
(2) The bye-laws of a National Sports Body may provide that, in addition to the criteria specified under
sub-rule (1), a person shall be disqualified from -
(a) being a member of the General Body or of any committee of such National Sports Body, or shall not be
eligible for contesting elections to the Executive Committee or the Athletes Committee, if such person
is a member of any other National Sports Body other than the National Olympic Committee; and
(b) being a member of the General Body or of any committee of such National Sports Body, where such
person has not completed the cooling off period of one term after having held the position of President,
Secretary General or Treasurer in any other National Sports Body.
CHAPTER 4
NATIONAL SPORTS ELECTION PANEL
12. Roster of the National Sports Election Panel. - (1) The National Sports Board shall maintain a roster
of the National Sports Election Panel as notified under sub-section (1) of section 16 of the Act.
(2) The roster of the National Sports Election Panel shall at all times contain at least twenty members who
satisfy the qualifications specified under sub-section (1) of Section 16 of the Act.
(3) The roster of the National Sports Election Panel shall be a public document within the meaning of
section 74 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023).
13. Fees payable to Electoral Officers. — In respect of each election, the National Sports Body shall, on
the basis of mutual agreement with the Electoral Officer, pay a maximum amount of rupees five lakhs as
fees, along with fees of a mutually agreed amount for an assistant to such officer, if any.
CHAPTER 5
ATHLETES COMMITTEES, ETHICS COMMITTEES AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
COMMITTEES
14. Provisions concerning Committees in bye-laws of National Olympic Committee. -The bye-laws
of the National Olympic Committee shall include provisions concerning the constitution, operation and
procedures of an Athletes Committee, an Ethics Committee and a Dispute Resolution Committee, which
shall -
(a) be in compliance with such guidelines as may be specified in the International Charters and Statutes;
and
(b) in the absence of guidelines under clause (a), be guided by the model guidelines or regulations that may
be specified by the National Sports Board from time to time.
15. Provisions concerning Committees in bye-laws of National Sports Bodies. — The bye-laws of each
National Sports Body, other than the National Olympic Committee, shall include provisions concerning the
constitution, operation and procedures of an Athletes Committee, Ethics Committee, and Dispute
Resolution Committee, which shall -
(a) be in compliance with such guidelines as may be specified in the International Charters and Statutes;
(b) in the case of National Sports Bodies other than the National Olympic Committee, such guidelines as
may be specified by the National Olympic Committee; and
(c) in the absence of guidelines under clauses (a) and (b), be guided by the model guidelines or regulations
that may be specified by the National Sports Board from time to time.
CHAPTER 6
REGIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
16. Affiliation to be maintained by Regional Sports Federations. — (1) Every Regional Sports
Federation shall have an international recognition and affiliation of the concerned International Sports
Body, unless a designated sport does not have an International Sports Body.
(2) Where there is more than one International Sports Body for the same sport, or where more than one
Regional Sports Federation applies for recognition, the National Sports Board may take a decision on the
matter of affiliation and recognition, based on reasons to be recorded in writing.
CHAPTER 7
AFFILIATE UNITS
17. Registration of affiliate units. — (1) Every National Sports Body shall facilitate the registration of
each of its affiliate units with the National Sports Board subject to submission of the information and
documents as set forth below, and in such form and manner as be specified by the National Sports Board
from time to time:-
(a) copy of the certificate of affiliation issued by the National Sports Body in respect of such affiliate unit;
(b) copy of certificate of registration as a society, not-for-profit company or trust, as the case may be,
under applicable laws;
(c) names and designations of all members of the governing body of the affiliate unit, by whatever name
called; and
(d) any other information, as may be specified by the National Sports Board for the purposes of
discharging its functions under the Act.
(2) Every affiliate unit of a National Sports Body shall ensure compliance with sub-rule (1) and further
ensure registration of each of its affiliate units, with the National Sports Board, and the provisions of sub-
rule (1) shall apply mutatis mutandis to each such unit.
(3) Every affiliate unit registered with the National Sports Board shall communicate any change in the
information provided to such Board within a period of thirty days of such change.
CHAPTER 8
MISCELLANEOUS
18. Miscellaneous
(1) Every National Sports Body shall, within a period of six months, amend its bye-laws in conformity
with the provisions of the Act.
(2) The Central Government may, on receipt of the application from a National Sports Body, relax the
provisions of these rules for a period of twelve months from the commencement of these rules and reasons
for such relaxation to be recorded in writing.
SCHEDULE I
(See rules 5 and 6)
SPORTSPERSONS OF OUTSTANDING MERIT ELIGIBILITY RULES
1. General Eligibility Criteria. — Any person seeking to be designated as a sportsperson of outstanding
merit shall be -
(a) an Indian citizen;
(b) of sound mind;
(c) not less than twenty-five years of age; and
(d) retired from active sports and should have not participated in any competitive sport event which
leads to selection to represent a district, State or India for at least one year prior to date of application
under sub-rule (2) of rule 5.
2. Tier Eligibility Criteria. — (1) In case of applicants seeking inclusion to the sportspersons of
outstanding merit roster of the National Olympic Committee, such applicant shall have achieved the
milestone in the relevant Tier in an Olympic discipline only, while representing India.
(2) In case of applicants seeking inclusion to the sportspersons of outstanding merit roster of the National
Paralympic Committee, such applicant shall have achieved the milestone in the relevant Tier in a Para-
Olympic discipline only, while representing India.
(3) In case of applicants seeking inclusion to the sportspersons of outstanding merit rosters of any National
Sports Body other than the National Olympic Committee or the National Paralympic Committee, such
applicant shall have achieved the milestone in the relevant Tier in the designated sport concerning the
National Sports Body only, while representing India, except in the case of Tier 10, where such applicant
shall have represented a particular State.
(4) For the purposes of this Schedule, —
(a) References to “Summer Olympic Games”, “Winter Olympic Games”, “Commonwealth Games",
"Asian Games” and “Asian Winter Games" in any of the Tiers below shall apply mutatis mutandis to
"Summer Paralympic Games", “Winter Paralympic Games”, “Para events that form a part of the
Commonwealth Games”, “Para-Asian Games” and “Para-Asian Games” and “Winter edition of the Para-Asian Games (if any)";
(b) References to "sanctioned" refers to any competitive international event or match organised under the
auspices, approval and sanctioning power of a relevant International Sports Body.
Tier 1
Applicants who have won at least one of any gold, silver or bronze medal in the Summer Olympic Games
or Winter Olympic Games, provided that any medal if rescinded, shall not be considered for the
qualification of having achieved outstanding merit, under this Tier.
Tier 2
Applicants who have participated in two or more editions of the Summer Olympic Games or Winter
Olympic Games.
Tier 3
Applicants who have participated in at least one edition of the Summer Olympic Games or Winter Olympic
Games.
Tier 4
Applicants who have been awarded a Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award or an Arjuna Award by the
Central Government, provided that any award if rescinded or returned, shall not be considered for the
qualification of having achieved outstanding merit, under this Tier.
Tier 5
Applicants who have won at least one of any gold, silver or bronze medal or equivalent placing, in a World
Championship or equivalent competition, provided that any medal if rescinded, shall not be considered for
the qualification of having achieved outstanding merit, under this Tier.
Tier 6
Applicants who have won at least one of any gold, silver or bronze medal or equivalent placing, in the
Commonwealth Games or Asian Games or Asian Winter Games, provided that any medal if rescinded,
shall not be considered for the qualification of having achieved outstanding merit, under this Tier.
Tier 7
Applicants who have won at least one of any gold, silver or bronze medal or equivalent placing, in an Asian
Championship or equivalent competition, provided that any medal if rescinded, shall not be considered for
the qualification of having achieved outstanding merit, under this Tier.
Tier 8
Applicants who have participated in at least five sanctioned international events (if individual sport) or five
sanctioned international matches (if team sport).
Tier 9
Applicants who have participated in at least one sanctioned international event (if individual sport) or one
sanctioned international match (if team sport).
Tier 10
Applicants who have who have won at least one of any gold, silver or bronze medal or equivalent placing
in the National Games or a National Championship or equivalent competition.
SCHEDULE II
(See rule 9)
ELECTION RULES
1. Definitions and Interpretation
(i) In these Election Rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "candidate” shall mean any candidate contesting for Election to an Elected Post;
(b) "election" shall mean an election conducted in accordance with these Election Rules for an Elected
Post;
(c) “general meeting" shall mean a meeting of all members of the General Body of a National Sports
Body, that is called and conducted in accordance with such National Sports Body's bye-laws; and
(d) "nomination" shall mean the process through which a candidate formally submits such candidate's
interest to contest for an Election to an Elected Post in accordance with these Election Rules.
(ii) Any terms used in these Election Rules but not defined herein, shall have the meaning ascribed to them
in the Act and the Rules.
2. Scope and Applicability
(i) These Election Rules apply to all Elections in the National Sports Body.
(ii) Any candidate, voting member or other participant in the election shall also be subject to the Act, and
the National Sports Body's Code of Ethics if he is not otherwise already bound and covered by the
same.
3. Conduct of Elections
(i) Elections shall generally take place at the Annual General Meeting of the National Sports Body and,
where so required may also take place at a specially convened general meeting.
(ii) Elections shall always be by secret ballot.
4. Electoral Officer
(i) The Electoral Officer shall be responsible for supervising the administrative process relating to the
elections, including,-
(a) ensuring the correct application of the Act, and these rules;
(b) setting reasonable deadlines for each stage of the elections in accordance with the model calendar
provided under clause 5 of this Schedule, and enforcing such deadlines strictly;
(c) determining and distributing the appropriate documentation and forms, including nomination forms
and ballot papers, for each stage of the elections and enforcing and verifying their proper use;
(d) distributing information to voting members, other members, the media and public;
(e) managing relations with government bodies or the National Sports Board and any observers as
deputed by the National Sports Board;
(f) causing the publication of all notifications and forms concerning the elections on the official
websites of the National Sports Body, the National Sports Board and the Ministry of Youth Affairs
and Sports; and
(g) all other tasks necessary to ensure the smooth running of the electoral process.
(ii) The Electoral Officer may, only for reasons of practical necessity, modify the forms appended to this
Schedule, while ensuring that the principles of this Schedule are adhered to.
5. Calling elections and the electoral roll
(i) Elections shall be called by the National Sports Body's Executive Committee in consultation with the
Electoral Officer, at least thirty days prior to the expiry of such Executive Committee's term, in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the National Sports Body's constitutional documents and
shall be included in the agenda of the applicable general meeting.
(ii) The call for elections shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
(a) the name of the Electoral Officer;
(b) the final electoral roll prepared and released by the Electoral Officer pursuant to sub-rule (6) of rule
10 and in accordance with Form 1 appended to these Election Rules.
(c) the Elected Posts that are the subject of such Elections and any pre-requisites or qualifications for
Candidates to contest such Elected Posts;
(d) an invitation to file for nominations for Elected Posts by interested Candidates;
(e) the nomination form to be submitted by interested Candidates which shall be in accordance with
Form 2 appended to these Election Rules; and
(f) the electoral calendar which shall be in accordance with the model calendar specified in sub-clause
(iii) below:
(iii) The Electoral Officer shall conduct the Elections in accordance with the following model calendar:
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Event | Day |
+=============================================================+===========+
| Call for Elections, invitation for nominations and release of final electoral roll | Day 1 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Filing of nominations | Day 8 to Day 10 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Announcement of draft list of nominations received | Day 10 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Objections to draft list of nominated candidates | Day 11 to Day 14 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+--------------------+
| Scrutiny and disposal of objections to Draft list of nominated candidates | Day 15 to Day 16 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+--------------------+
| Final list of nominated candidates | Day 17 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Withdrawal of nominations | Day 18 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Final list of contesting candidates | Day 19 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Polling and announcement of results | Day 21 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
(iv) The Electoral Officer may, only for reasons of practical necessity, modify the model calendar specified
in sub-clause (iii), while ensuring that the elections are completed within a maximum period of twenty-
one days.
6. Nominations
(i) The nomination of a candidate for election shall be proposed and seconded by persons on the electoral
roll.
(ii) Every nomination form shall be delivered to the Electoral Officer in person by the candidate himself
within the deadline specified.
(iii) No member shall nominate more than one candidate for the same Elected Post, either as proposer or
seconder and, if he so does, only the first valid nomination shall be accepted, and all other nominations
of such member, shall be deemed to be void and inoperative.
(iv) No person shall be permitted to withdraw his name as proposer or seconder, once the nomination form
endorsed by him has been delivered to the Electoral Officer.
(v) The Electoral Officer shall prepare a list of all nominations received by him, Elected Post-wise in
accordance with Form 3 appended to these Election Rules.
7. Scrutiny and Finalisation of Nominations
(i) The Electoral Officer shall scrutinise each nomination form received by him and determine its validity or
otherwise as per the Act, rules made thereunder, the National Sports Body's bye-laws.
(ii) During the scrutiny of nominations under sub-clause (i), each Candidate or one of his authorised
representatives shall have the right to be present and raise any objection in relation to nomination of
another Candidate for the Elected Post for which he has filed his nomination.
(iii) Pursuant to the scrutiny of nomination forms, the Electoral Officer shall prepare a list of validly
nominated candidates in accordance with Form 4 appended to these Election Rules.
(iv) Every candidate whose nomination has been found valid on scrutiny shall be entitled to withdraw his
candidature prior to the commencement of the Election by providing notice to the Electoral Officer
in accordance with Form 5 appended to these Election Rules, and the Electoral Officer shall accept
the notice of withdrawal if he is satisfied as to the genuineness of such notice.
(v) Any notice of withdrawal of candidature shall be final and shall not be allowed to be cancelled.
(vi) The Electoral Officer shall prepare the final list of contesting candidates in accordance with Form 6
of these Election Rules.
(vii) The National Sports Body shall produce the ballot papers in accordance with Form 7 appended to
these Election Rules under the supervision and charge of the Electoral Officer.
(viii) The ballot papers shall be printed clearly and legibly, and the names of the contesting candidates
shall be arranged, for each Elected Post, in alphabetical order according to the english alphabet.
8. Campaign Practices
(i) Electoral campaigns shall be carried out by the candidates in a fair manner and, in a spirit of respect for
fundamental ethical principles.
(ii) Candidates shall conduct all campaigns with dignity and moderation and with respect for any other
candidates, the National Sports Body and its members.
(iii) A Candidate shall not produce any spoken word, written text or representation of any nature likely to
harm the image of another candidate or cause him prejudice, and criticism of other candidates, if
made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work.
(iv) No Candidate shall engage in criticism based on unverified allegations or distortion against any other
Candidate, and there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes.
(v) Every Candidate may present to the members in the electoral roll, his plans and views for the Elected
Post, in the form of a written document, which shall be published by the Electoral Officer in
accordance with clause 4 (i) (g) of these Election Rules.
(vi) Candidates shall avoid excessive expenditure in campaigning, recognising that it could become a
factor of inequality amongst the candidates.
(vii) The promotion of a candidate shall exclude any form of publicity, including the use of new media or
social networks, and no public meeting or gathering of any kind may be organised in the process of
promoting a candidature, and no use, free of charge or in return for payment, of the services of a
journalist or the media may be made in order to place a candidate at an advantage or a disadvantage.
(viii) All candidates shall scrupulously avoid all activities that are “corrupt practices", including bribing of
voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters.
(ix) Candidates may, in no case and under no pretext, give presents, offer donations, gifts or grant
advantages of whatever nature, directly or indirectly, to voting members.
(x) The incumbent Executive Committee member, shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint
that they have used their official position for the purposes of their election campaign and in particular
shall not -
(a) use official transport including, vehicles, machinery and personnel for furtherance of their
campaign;
(b) issue any advertisement at the cost of the National Sports Body or its members in the
newspapers and other media or misuse the National Sports Body's official media channels
during the elections;
(c) sanction grants or payments out of discretionary funds from the time elections are announced;
and
(d) enter into any promise or undertaking to be performed, whatever the timing of such
performance, for the direct or indirect benefit of any of the National Sports Body's members or
its partners.
9. Neutrality and Independence
(i) As the voting is secret, voting members are prohibited individually or collectively, from announcing
publicly, in any form whatsoever, their intention to vote or not vote for a candidate.
(ii) Incumbent Executive Committee members shall refrain from making any public declaration and may in
no way support a candidate.
(iii) Candidates shall not -
(a) accept instructions from any person;
(b) accept direct or indirect assistance, be it financial, material or in kind, by any third party, or
(c) enter into any form of undertaking with any person likely to affect the freedom of decision or
action of the Elected Post.
(iv) The National Sports Body's executive team and administration shall maintain a strict duty of neutrality
at all times, and no support or service in relation to a candidature may be requested from any member
of the National Sports Body's administration or staff.
10. Polling
(i) Where the number of contesting candidates for any Elected Post or category of Elected Post is equal to
the number of Elected Posts to be filled, all such contesting candidates shall be deemed to be duly
elected unopposed to those Elected Posts, and it shall not be necessary to take a poll for election to such
Elected Post.
(ii) Where the number of contesting candidates for any Elected Post or category of Elected Post is more
than the number of Elected Posts to be filled, a poll shall be taken by secret ballot for those Elected
Posts remaining unfilled.
(iii) At the poll, members who are in the electoral roll, shall be entitled to,-
(a) cast one vote for each of the Elected Posts remaining unfilled, where only one such seat is to be
filled; and
(b) cast as many votes as are the number of seats to be filled for an Elected Post, where more than one
seat is to be filled.
(iv) The ballot papers shall contain the name(s) of the Candidate(s), and the voters must mark one candidate
only.
(v) Every voter shall be required, before he is supplied with a ballot paper, to give his signature on the
authenticated copy of the electoral roll for taking the poll.
(vi) Except for the circumstance under sub-clause (i), a secret ballot shall always be conducted, regardless
of how many candidates there are, and the secrecy of the ballot shall be guaranteed by the provision of
a procedure ensuring privacy for the voter, and the Electoral Officer shall conduct the distribution and
counting of the ballot papers and be responsible for ensuring that the process is properly documented.
(vii) Voting members must vote in person where required.
(viii) The voter shall record his vote on the ballot paper in secrecy in a voting compartment specially
provided for the purpose at the polling station.
(ix) The voter shall record his vote on the ballot paper by placing a tick mark against the name of the
candidate of his choice, and the tick mark to indicate the vote shall be placed by the voter only by
means of an article (such as a stamp) specifically provided for the purpose by the Electoral Officer.
(x) The ballot paper marked by a voter shall be deposited by him in a ballot box specially prepared and
sealed by the Electoral Officer and placed at such a conspicuous place in the polling station that it shall
be constantly visible to all present in the polling station.
(xi) The Electoral Officer shall close the poll at the designated time of closure, and such voters who are
present at the polling station at the appointed closing hour, if any, shall be entitled to vote even if the
poll proceedings have to be extended for sportspersons of outstanding merit more time.
(xii) The number of ballot papers that have been distributed shall be announced by the Electoral Officer
before the commencement of the voting, and if the number of ballot papers returned in the poll is equal
to or less than the number of ballot papers distributed, the Election shall be declared valid, but if the
number returned in the poll exceeds that of the ballot papers distributed, the vote shall be declared null
and void and another poll shall be taken immediately.
11. Counting of Votes
(i) The Electoral Officer shall take up the counting of votes, post-wise and category-wise, as soon as may
be, after the polling process is complete.
(ii) Every contesting candidate can nominate one authorised representative who shall be entitled to be
present at the place of counting of votes, and other than such authorised representative, only the
Electoral Officer and members of the National Sports Body's executive or administrative team, as
specifically approved by the Electoral Officer, may take part in the count.
(iii) Every ballot paper on which a vote has been recorded shall be treated as one vote for the candidate for
whom it has been validly marked.
(iv) The following ballot papers shall be considered invalid and shall be rejected by the Electoral Officer,
namely:-
(a) those that do not bear the official distinctive marks defined by the Electoral Officer;
(b) those that bear any words other than the names of the candidates;
(c) those that are illegible or have been defaced;
(d) those that bear identifying marks; and
(e) those that include votes for more candidates than permitted in a particular poll.
(v) The Electoral Officer shall write on the back of any invalid ballot paper, in red, the reasons for its
invalidity and confirm with a signature.
(vi) The votes validly cast for each of the contesting candidates shall be counted post-wise, and category-
wise where applicable, and recorded in the descending order of the votes so cast for each candidate in
accordance with Form 8 appended to these Election Rules.
(vii) The Electoral Officer shall thereafter ascertain the result of counting and the candidates who have
secured the maximum number of votes in the said descending order, post-wise and category wise,
where applicable, equal to the number of seats to be filled for each Elected Post or category of Elected
Posts, where applicable, shall be deemed to have been duly elected to those Elected Posts.
(viii) After completing and verifying the count, the Electoral Officer shall put the ballot papers that have
been collected and counted into envelopes intended for this purpose and seal them immediately, and the
National Sports Body shall keep these envelopes and shall retain them atleast until the declaration of
results of the immediately subsequent Election of the Executive Committee, or till the pendency of any
legal proceedings relating to such Elections, whichever is later.
12. Declaration of Results
(i) Once the count has been completed and verified, the names of contesting candidates who shall be
deemed to have been elected at the Elections shall be declared by the Electoral Officer at the general
meeting.
(ii) The results of the election shall be declared in accordance with Form 9 appended to these Election
Rules, and published on the National Sports Body's official website within twenty-four hours of
completion thereof.
(iii)If, after the counting of the votes, an equality of votes is found to exist between any candidates, and the
addition of one vote will entitle any of those candidates to be declared elected, the Electoral Officer
shall forthwith decide between those candidates by lot, and proceed as if the candidate on whom the lot
falls had received an additional vote.
13. Sanctions and Complaints
(i) All administrative matters relating to any election not covered by the Act, these rules or the National
Sports Body's bye-laws shall be ruled upon by the Electoral Officer.
(ii) In the event of a breach of these Election Rules, the Electoral Officer may refer the same to the
National Sports Body's Ethics Committee, who may make to the candidate in question:
(a) observations, which may be made public; or
(b) issue a warning, which will be automatically made public on the National Sports Body's official
website.
(iii)If a candidate or a voting member has any specific complaint or problem regarding the conduct of
elections he may bring the same to the notice of the Electoral Officer.
(iv)Any decision by the Electoral Officer under these rules shall be final and binding, and any petition to
the National Sports Tribunal relating to conduct or outcome of election shall be limited to only any
violation of the provisions relating to the process of conduct of election under this Schedule:
Provided that no such petition may be filed after a period of thirty days from the declaration of
results of any election.
Form 1 - Electoral Roll
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
+--------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| Sl. No | Affiliate Unit Name | Election Representative Name |
+========+=====================+==============================+
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
+--------+---------------------+------------------------------+
| | Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit | |
+========+====================================+==============+
| | Name | |
| | Name | |
| | Name | |
+--------+------------------------------------+--------------+
Name:
Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
Date:
Place:
Form 2 - Nomination Form
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
NOMINATION FORM FOR
ELECTION AS ___________________ (NAME OF THE ELECTED POST)
To
The Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Address]
We ___________________________________________________________ nominate
Shri/Smt./Ms. _________________________________ (name and address) for the above-mentioned Elected Post.
Our particulars are given below:-
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------+-----------+
| Name | Affiliate Unit Represented (if applicable) | Sl. No in the Electoral Roll List | Signature |
+==========+===================================+=============================+===========+
| Proposer | | | |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------+-----------+
| Seconder | | | |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------+-----------+
I, the candidate below named, do hereby give my assent to my nomination for the above Elected Post.
Further, I certify and confirm that-
(a) I am eligible to contest the above-mentioned Elected Post as per the bye-laws of [Insert Name of
National Sports Body]; and
(b) I am not currently undergoing, and am not required to undergo any cooling off period in relation to
the above mentioned Elected Post or barred from contesting for such Elected Post, as per the bye-
laws of [Insert Name of National Sports Body], the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 or the
National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2025 or under applicable law.
(c) The information provided in the declaration appended to this form is true and correct to the best of
my knowledge.
Candidate's Name ______________________________
Name of the Candidate _________________________________________
Name of Affiliate Unit Represented (if applicable) ___________________________ Sl.
No. in the Electoral Roll list (if applicable)____________________
Signature _________________________________________
Date:
Place:
Form 3 - List of Nominations Received
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
+--------+--------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| Sl. No.| Name, Address of Candidate | Elected Post | Name and Sl. No. in Electoral Roll List of Proposer | Name and Sl. No. in Electoral Roll List of Seconder |
+========+==========================+================+====================================================+====================================================+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--------+--------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
Name:
Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
Date:
Place:
Form 4 - List of Validly Nominated Candidates
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
+--------+--------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| Sl. No.| Name, Address of Candidate | Elected Post | Name and Sl. No. in Electoral Roll List of Proposer | Name and Sl. No. in Electoral Roll List of Seconder |
+========+==========================+================+====================================================+====================================================+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--------+--------------------------+----------------+----------------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
Name:
Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
Date:
Place:
Form 5 - Notice of Withdrawal
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATURE FOR ELECTION AS (NAME OF THE
ELECTED POST)
To
The Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Address]
I, the validly nominated candidate, do hereby give my notice of withdrawal of candidature for the above
Elected Post.
Name of the Candidate _________________________________________
Name of Affiliate Unit Represented (if applicable) ___________________________ Sl.
No. in the Electoral Roll list (if applicable)____________________
Signature _________________________________________
Form 6 - List of Contesting Candidates
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
+-----------+----------------+-------------------+---------------------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| Sl. No. | Elected Post | Name of Candidate | Name of Affiliate Unit Represented (if applicable) | Sl. No. in Electoral Roll List (if applicable) |
+===========+================+===================+=============================================+================================----+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+-----------+----------------+-------------------+---------------------------------------------+------------------------------------+
Name:
Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
Date:
Place:
Form 7 - Ballot Paper
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
+----------------+-------------------+--------------------------+
| Elected Post | Name(s) of Candidate | Mark vote here by placing tick mark |
+================+===================+==========================+
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
+----------------+-------------------+--------------------------+
(1) Place a tick mark (✓) against the name of only one (1) contesting Candidate for the respective Elected
Post.
(2) DO NOT place any other mark like (x) or work against the name of any Candidate as that shall render
your ballot paper liable for rejection.
(3) Place a tick mark on the ballot paper with the article specially provided by the Electoral Officer for the
purpose. Any ballot paper marker with any other pen, ball point pen, etc shall render your ballot paper
liable for rejection.
Name:
Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
Date:
Place:
Form 8 – Result of Counting of Votes
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
+-----------------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------------+-----------+
| Name of Post | Total | Total | Name of Candidate | Valid |
| | s Polled | s Rejected | | s Polled |
+=========================================+===========+============+===================+===========+
| President (1) | | | 1. | |
| | | | 2. | |
| | | | 3. | |
+-----------------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------------+-----------+
| Honorary Secretary (1) | | | 1. | |
| | | | 2. | |
| | | | 3. | |
+-----------------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------------+-----------+
| Honorary Treasurer (1) | | | 1. | |
| | | | 2. | |
| | | | 3. | |
+-----------------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------------+-----------+
| Male Sportsperson(s) of Outstanding Merit (Insert Number) | | | 1. | |
| | | | 2. | |
| | | | 3. | |
+-----------------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------------+-----------+
| Female Sportsperson (s) of Outstanding Merit (Insert Number) | | | 1. | |
| | | | 2. | |
| | | | 3. | |
+-----------------------------------------+-----------+------------+-------------------+-----------+
Name:
Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
Date:
Form 9-Declaration of Results
[Insert Name of National Sports Body]
[Insert Name of National Sports Body] Elections on [Insert Date]
I, the Electoral Officer for the above elections, hereby declare the following candidates as duly elected to
the Elected Post(s) mentioned against their name.
+----------------------------------------------+-------------------+
| Elected Post | Name of Candidate |
+==============================================+===================+
| President (1) | |
| | |
+----------------------------------------------+-------------------+
| Honorary Secretary (1) | |
| | |
+----------------------------------------------+-------------------+
| Honorary Treasurer (1) | |
| | |
+----------------------------------------------+-------------------+
| Male Sportsperson(s) of Outstanding Merit (Insert Number) | |
| | |
+----------------------------------------------+-------------------+
| Female Sportsperson (s) of Outstanding Merit (Insert Number) | |
| | |
+----------------------------------------------+-------------------+
Name:
Electoral Officer, [Insert Name of National Sports Body]
Date:
Place:
Name:
Observer (if present)
[F. No. 12-12/2025-Governance-1]
KUNAL, Jt Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.
GORAKHA NATH
YADAVA
Digitally signed by GORAKHA
NATH YADAVA
Date: 2026.01.12 16:25:05 +05'30'