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REGISTERED NO. DL-(N)04/0007/2003-25
The Gazette of India
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II—Section 2
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 12] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025/SRAVANA 1, 1947 (Saka)
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
LOK SABHA
The following Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha on 23rd July, 2025:–
BILL NO. 76 OF 2025
A Bill to provide for the development and promotion of sports, welfare measures for
sportspersons, ethical practices based on basic universal principles of good
governance, ethics and fair play of the Olympic and sports movement, the
Olympic Charter, the Paralympic Charter, international best practices and
established legal standards and to provide for the resolution of sports
grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and effective manner
and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
WHEREAS the Olympic Charter and the Paralympic Charter emphasise
impeccable ethical behaviour in sports governance, necessitating the national sports
governing bodies to align with such global governance standards;
AND WHEREAS the national sports governing bodies discharge important public
functions in the country and it is pertinent for these bodies to manage their internal
and external affairs in an open, fair and transparent manner in the public interest;
AND WHEREAS the Government of India respects the principle of autonomy of
the sports governing bodies in the country in line with the fundamental principles
enshrined in the Olympic Charter and the Paralympic Charter;
AND WHEREAS the Government of India recognises the importance of
providing accessible, fair and effective measures for the resolution of grievances and
disputes relating to sports;
AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary to give effect to the aforesaid
objectives.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India
as follows:-
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. (1) This Act may be called the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed
for different provisions of this Act, and any reference in any such provision to the
commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force
of that provision.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "ad hoc administrative body" means a body constituted for ad hoc
administration under section 11;
(b) "affiliate unit" means the State, district or other units of,-
(i) the National Olympic Committee;
(ii) the National Paralympic Committee;
(iii) the National Sports Federation; and
(iv) the Regional Sports Federation;
(c) "Athletes Committee”, “Disputes Resolution Committee”, “Ethics
Committee" and "Executive Committee", by whatever name called, means the
"Athletes Committee”, “Disputes Resolution Committee”, “Ethics Committee"
and "Executive Committee”, respectively, of a National Sports Body;
(d) "Board" means the National Sports Board established under
sub-section (1) of section 5;
(e) "Board recognition” means recognition of a sports organisation by
the Board under this Act;
(f) "bye-laws" means the memorandum of association or articles of
association, by whatever name called, of a sports organisation;
(g) "designated sport” means any sport discipline as may be specified by
the Central Government, by notification, to be a designated sport for a specific
region or State or for the whole of India;
(h) “International Charters and Statutes” means the Olympic Charter and
other Charters and Statutes of the international sports governing bodies and
include any bye-laws, rules, regulations or constitution, by whatever name
called, as may be adopted, amended or issued by such bodies from time to time;
(i) "International Federation" means-
(i) a federation recognised as such by the International Olympic
Committee in respect of an Olympic sport; or
(ii) a federation recognised as such by the International Paralympic
Committee in respect of a Paralympic sport; or
(iii) a federation which regulates the sport at international level in
respect of non-Olympic or non-Paralympic sports;
(j) "International Olympic Committee” means the governing body for
the Olympic Games;
(k) "International Paralympic Committee” means the governing body for
the Paralympic Games;
(l) "international recognition” means the recognition of a national sports
governing body by the concerned international sports governing body;
(m) "International Sports Body" means an international sports governing
body such as the International Olympic Committee or the International
Paralympic Committee or International Federation or a continental governing
body for sports;
(n) "National Olympic Committee" means the National Olympic
Committee established under section 3 as a national sports governing body and
recognised as the National Olympic Committee of India by the International
Olympic Committee;
(o) "National Paralympic Committee” means the National Paralympic
Committee established under section 3 as a national sports governing body and
recognised as the National Paralympic Committee of India by the International
Paralympic Committee;
(p) "National Sports Body" means a national sports governing body such
as the National Olympic Committee or the National Paralympic Committee or
the National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation, established
under section 3;
(q) "National Sports Election Panel" means the National Sports Election
Panel notified under section 16 to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections
to the Executive Committee and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports
Bodies;
(r) "National Sports Federation” means a National Sports Federation
established under section 3 as a national sports governing body for a
designated sport;
(s) "National Sports Promotion Organisation" means a sports
organisation or body contributing towards the development of sports, such as
talent identification and their nurturing, policy advocacy relating to sports
administration or welfare and recognised by the Board under sub-section (7)
of section 8;
(t) "notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette
and the expression “notify” or “notified”, shall be construed accordingly;
(u) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made by the Central
Government under this Act;
(v) "recognised sports organisation" means a sports organisation
recognised by the Board as a National Sports Body under sub-section (1) of
section 8;
(w) "Regional Sports Federation” means a Regional Sports Federation
established under section 3 as national sports governing body for a designated
sport;
(x) "regulations” means regulations made by the Board under this Act;
(y) "Secretary General" means the Secretary General or the Secretary of
a National Sports Body;
(z) "sportsperson of outstanding merit” means a sportsperson referred to
in the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4;
(za) "State" means a State specified in the First Schedule to the
Constitution and includes a Union territory;
(zb) "Tribunal" means the National Sports Tribunal constituted under
sub-section (1) of section 17.
CHAPTER II
NATIONAL SPORTS BODIES
3. (1) The following bodies shall be established as the national sports
governing bodies for their respective recognised sports organisations, namely:—
(a) the National Olympic Committee;
(b) the National Paralympic Committee;
(c) a National Sports Federation for each designated sport; and
(d) a Regional Sports Federation for each designated sport.
(2) There shall be only one National Olympic Committee and one National
Paralympic Committee, each governing multi-sport disciplines.
(3) The National Olympic Committee shall have an international recognition
and affiliation of the International Olympic Committee.
(4) The National Paralympic Committee shall have an international
recognition and affiliation of the International Paralympic Committee.
(5) Every National Sports Federation shall have an international recognition
and affiliation of the concerned international sports governing body:
Provided that this sub-section shall not apply to a designated sport which does
not have an international sports governing body.
(6) Every Regional Sports Federation shall have the relevant affiliations as
may be prescribed.
4. (1) Every National Sports Body shall have,—
(a) a General Body, consisting of equal number of representatives from
each of its affiliate units and such other ex officio members as per its bye-laws
and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable:
Provided that it shall have representation of such sportspersons of
outstanding merit and such other categories of persons, as may be prescribed;
(b) an Executive Committee which shall consist of not more than fifteen
members, of whom-
(i) at least two shall be sportspersons of outstanding merit;
(ii) two shall be from the Athletes Committee to be elected from
amongst themselves; and
(iii) such number of ex officio and other members shall be
nominated or elected, as the case may be, as per the International
Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws:
Provided that at least four members shall be women:
Provided further that the voting rights of elected representatives of the
Athletes Committee in the Executive Committee shall be as determined by the
bye-laws;
(c) an Ethics Committee to be constituted as per its bye-laws and the
International Charters and Statutes, as applicable:
Provided that the Ethics Committee of the National Olympic Committee
shall function as the Ethics Committee of any National Sports Body which
does not have such Committee;
(d) a Dispute Resolution Committee to be constituted as per its bye-laws
and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable:
Provided that the Dispute Resolution Committee of the National
Olympic Committee shall function as the Dispute Resolution Committee of
any National Sports Body which does not have such Committee;
(e) an Athletes Committee consisting of elected members as determined
by the bye-laws;
(f) a President who shall be the head of the concerned National Sports
Body and shall preside over the meetings of its Executive Committee and the
General Body;
(g) a Secretary General of the concerned National Sports Body shall be
the head of administration who shall be responsible for carrying out all
decisions of the Executive Committee and the General Body:
Provided that where the International Charters and Statutes provide for
a full-time head of administration, by whatever name called, there shall not be
an elected post of the head of administration;
(h) a Treasurer who shall be the custodian of funds or the accounts of the
concerned National Sports Body.
(2) A person shall not be qualified to contest for election or seek nomination
to, the Executive Committee, unless-
(a) such person is a citizen of India who has attained at least twenty-five
years of age;
(b) such person is a sportsperson of outstanding merit or, has previously
served as a member of the Executive Committee for at least two full terms, if
such person is contesting election for the position of the President or the
Secretary General or the Treasurer:
Provided that a person may continuously hold the position of either the
President or the Secretary General or the Treasurer, as the case may be, for up
to three consecutive terms separately, or in combination thereof and shall be
eligible for election to the Executive Committee after a mandatory cooling off
period of one term;
(c) the nomination of such person is duly proposed and seconded by a
voting member of the General Body;
(d) such person is not declared to be of unsound mind;
(e) such person complies with the International Charters and Statutes and
bye-laws relating to age and term of the Executive Committee:
Provided that such person shall not be more than seventy years of age on
the last date of nomination for election:
Provided further that any person, aged between seventy and seventy-five
years, may contest elections or seek nominations, if permitted by the
International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws and in case such person
is elected, he shall serve for a full term;
(f) such person, if he is a government servant, has necessary approvals
from the Government, as applicable.
(3) The term of the Executive Committee shall be as provided in the bye-laws
subject to a maximum period of four years.
(4) The mode of election to different bodies, committees and offices including
their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and other
matters of governance shall be such as may be prescribed.
CHAPTER III
THE NATIONAL SPORTS BOARD
5. (1) The Central Government may, by notification, establish a Board to be
known as the National Sports Board, consisting of a Chairperson and such number
of other Members as may be prescribed.
(2) The Chairperson and the Members referred to in sub-section (1) shall be
appointed by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and
standing who possesses special knowledge or practical experience in the field of
public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields, on the
recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee comprising of such number
of persons, having wide experience in public administration, sports administration
and recipients of national sports awards, as may be prescribed.
(3) The salary and allowances and the term of office of the Chairperson and
other Members of the Board and other terms and conditions of their service,
including removal from service, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(4) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having
perpetual succession and a common seal, with power subject to the provisions of
this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and
to contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued.
(5) The head office of the Board shall be at Delhi and the Board shall establish
its branch offices at such other places as may be prescribed.
6. The Board shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions
to carry out the provisions of this Act, namely:-
(a) the grant of Board recognition to sports organisations and registration
of affiliate units and to suspend or cancel such recognition or registration;
(b) to maintain a register of the National Sports Bodies and each of their
respective affiliate units in such manner as may be specified by regulations;
(c) to conduct inquiries on matters specified in section 9;
(d) to constitute an ad hoc administrative body or to direct the concerned
National Sports Body or their affiliate units, as the case may be, to so
constitute, as per section 11;
(e) to issue guidelines for formulation of the Code of Ethics by the
National Sports Bodies;
(f) to frame Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of women,
minor athletes and other classes of persons;
(g) maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel as per section 16;
(h) collaborate with the International Sports Bodies and National Sports
Bodies for the development of sports and welfare of athletes in India and to
issue guidelines to the National Sports Bodies for ensuring compliance with
the international standards and best practices of the Olympic and sports
movement;
(i) take such measures as may be prescribed, to ensure the protection of
the rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel; and
(j) such other powers and functions as may be prescribed.
7. (1) The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Board, appoint
such officers and other employees as may be necessary for discharging the functions
of the Board.
(2) The officers and other employees of the Board shall discharge their
functions under the general superintendence and control of the Chairperson or any
other member of the Board to whom powers for exercising such superintendence
and control are delegated by the Chairperson.
(3) The qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and
conditions of service of the officers and other employees of the Board shall be such
as may be prescribed.
CHAPTER IV
THE GOVERNANCE OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATIONS
8. (1) The Board shall have the power to grant Board recognition to any sports
organisation as a National Sports Body.
(2) Any sports organisation desirous of obtaining Board recognition as a
National Sports Body under this section shall apply to the Board in such form and
manner and containing such particulars, as may be specified by regulations.
(3) No sports organisation shall be recognised under sub-section (1) unless
such organisation,—
(a) is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; or
(b) is a not-for-profit company incorporated under section 8 of the
Companies Act, 2013; or
(c) is a trust created under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; and
(d) complies with such other criteria and conditions as may be specified
by regulations and having the sole object of the development of sports.
(4) The Board recognition granted under this section shall be renewed
periodically at such intervals and in accordance with such procedure as may be
specified by regulations.
(5) All sports organisations recognised as National Sports Bodies by the
Central Government before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have
Board recognition under this Act and the provisions of this Act shall, mutatis
mutandis, apply to such organisation.
(6) All affiliate units of National Sports Bodies shall ensure that they are
registered with the Board, subject to such conditions and in such manner, as may be
prescribed.
(7) The Board, subject to the prior approval of the Central Government, shall
also have the power to recognise sports organisations participating in sports
governance, athlete support and welfare, as National Sports Promotion
Organisations.
(8) The eligibility criteria for Board recognition and the manner of governance
and functioning of the National Sports Promotion Organisations shall be such as
may be specified by regulations:
Provided that a National Sports Promotion Organisation recognised by the
Central Government before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have
been recognised as such under this Act and the provisions of this Act shall, mutatis
mutandis, apply to such organisation:
Provided further that the Board recognition granted under this sub-section
shall be renewed periodically at such intervals and in accordance with such
procedure as may be specified by regulations.
9. The Board may, either on its own motion, or in response to complaint
received from any person or body on matters affecting the welfare of sportspersons
or the development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds, conduct an
inquiry where it is satisfied that there is a reasonable cause so to do:
Provided that no such complaint shall be entertained unless the complainant
has exhausted all available remedies with the National Sports Body or their affiliate
units:
Provided further that the Board may entertain such complaint if it is satisfied
that accessing those remedies would result in unnecessary delay or unreasonable
prejudice.
10. (1) The Board may, either on its own motion, or on the receipt of a
complaint by an aggrieved party, by order, suspend or cancel the Board recognition
of a sports organisation as a National Sports Body or registration of an affiliate unit
of a National Sports Body, in any of the following circumstances, namely:—
(a) the international recognition of the concerned National Sports Body
has been suspended or cancelled by the concerned International Sports Body;
(b) the concerned affiliate unit has been suspended or disaffiliated by the
concerned National Sports Body;
(c) the National Sports Body has violated any of the provisions of this
Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder, including eligibility criteria
or terms and conditions of the Board recognition;
(d) the Registrar of Companies or the Registrar of Societies of the
concerned sports organisation has reported gross irregularities in the internal
functioning or removed the name of the National Sports Body or its affiliate
units;
(e) the National Sports Body or the affiliate unit has-
(i) failed to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has
committed gross irregularities in the election procedures thereof; or
(ii) failed to publish its annual audited accounts; or
(iii) has misused, misapplied or misappropriated any public funds:
Provided that the suspension or disaffiliation referred to in clause (a) and
clause (b) shall be co-terminus with the suspension or disaffiliation by the concerned
International Sports Body or the National Sports Body, as the case may be, which
may be extended by the Board, for reasons to be recorded in writing, for such further
period as the Board may consider necessary.
(2) Before issuing an order of suspension or cancellation of Board recognition
or registration of the sports organisation under sub-section (1), the Board shall
consult the concerned-
(a) International Sports Body, where such suspension or cancellation of
Board recognition concerns the National Sports Federation or the Regional
Sports Federation;
(b) National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation, where
such suspension or cancellation of registration concerns any affiliate unit,
and upon such consultation, take any of the following measures, namely:—
(i) issue an order, directing the National Sports Body or its affiliate unit,
to take such action as is appropriate to correct the deficiency and upon
compliance, the Board may make a finding of compliance; or
(ii) conduct a hearing by giving reasonable opportunity to the parties to
present their case before pronouncing its decision.
(3) An appeal against any order of the Board for suspension or cancellation of
Board recognition or registration under this section shall lie with the Tribunal.
11. (1) In the event of loss of the international recognition of a National Sports
Body, the normalisation process shall be implemented as per the International
Charters and Statutes and the Board shall not interfere in such process.
(2) In the absence of the normalisation process referred to in sub-section (1)
on the loss of international recognition of a National Sports Body, or in the event of
cancellation or suspension of Board recognition of a National Sports Body under
section 10, where the loss of recognition concern-
(a) a National Olympic Committee or a National Paralympic Committee,
the Board may constitute an ad hoc administrative body in consultation with
the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic
Committee, as the case may be;
(b) a National Sports Federation, the Board may, in consultation with the
concerned International Federation, wherever applicable, direct the National
Olympic Committee to constitute an ad hoc administrative body;
(c) a Regional Sports Federation, the Board may in consultation with the
concerned International Federation, if any, constitute an ad hoc administrative body.
(3) In the event of cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or
registration of an affiliate unit of a National Sports Body under section 10,—
(a) where the cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or
registration, concerns a State sports federation, the Board may direct the
concerned National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation; and
(b) where the cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or
registration, concerns a district sports federation, the Board may direct the
concerned State sports federation,
to constitute an ad hoc administrative body consisting of such members as may be
determined by the Board in consultation with the National Sports Body or the
concerned affiliate State unit, as the case may be.
(4) The ad hoc administrative body shall be responsible for administering the
concerned sports body or its affiliate units to ensure compliance with the provisions
of this Act.
(5) The ad hoc administrative body referred to in sub-section (2) shall consist
of a maximum of five eminent sports administrators, who have previously held the
office of a President or a Secretary General or a Treasurer of a National Sports Body
or who is or has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the National
Olympic Committee, having no past association with the sports discipline or any
conflict of interest:
Provided that no person shall be part of more than one ad hoc administrative
body at the same time.
CHAPTER V
CODE OF ETHICS
12. (1) Every National Sports Body shall formulate a Code of Ethics for the
members of its Executive Committee and other committees, employees, staff,
sponsors, coaches, athletes, officials, members, affiliates and such other relevant
persons, in accordance with the guidelines specified by the Board.
(2) The Code of Ethics shall establish minimum standards for the ethical and
appropriate conduct of the persons specified in sub-section (1).
(3) The Code of Ethics shall be framed in accordance with the Code of Ethics of
the International Sports Bodies and in consonance with the applicable laws in India.
(4) The Code of Ethics shall provide measures for protection of vulnerable
persons against abuse by persons in positions of trust, responsibility or authority.
Explanation. For the purposes of this sub-section, “person in a position of
trust" means any person who exercises authority, control or influence over another
person, or a person on whom another person is dependent and who is connected or
associated with the affairs of the National Sports Body.
CHAPTER VI
SAFE SPORTS POLICY AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL
13. (1) The Board shall frame a comprehensive Safe Sports Policy applicable
to all activities, events, operations and proceedings conducted by the National Sports
Bodies.
(2) The Safe Sports Policy shall include provisions to ensure the protection
and safety of women and minor athletes and such other persons as may be
prescribed.
(3) Every National Sports Body shall establish an internal grievance redressal
mechanism to address the grievances raised by athletes, coaches and other
individuals associated with such body, in a fair, timely and transparent manner.
CHAPTER VII
PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATION
14. Only a recognised sports organisation shall be eligible to receive grants or
any other financial assistance from the Central Government.
15. (1) A recognised sports organisation shall ensure that all its voting
members and affiliate units, as applicable, complies with-
(a) the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable, and shall
exercise the rights, perform the duties and discharge the functions as specified
therein; and
(b) the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made
thereunder.
(2) A recognised sports organisation shall be considered as a public authority
under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with respect to the exercise of its functions,
duties and powers under this Act.
CHAPTER VIII
NATIONAL SPORTS ELECTION PANEL
16. (1) The Central Government shall, on the recommendations of the Board,
notify a National Sports Election Panel consisting of such number of persons as it
may deem necessary, who are retired Chief Election Commissioner or Election
Commissioner or Deputy Election Commissioner or retired State Election
Commissioner or Chief Electoral Officers of the States, with adequate experience of
conduct of elections under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
(2) The persons notified under sub-section (1) shall act as electoral officers to
oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the
Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies.
(3) The Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel in
such manner as may be prescribed.
(4) The fees and other allowances to be paid to the persons notified under
sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.
(5) The National Sports Bodies may appoint an electoral officer from the
National Sports Election Panel to oversee its election process and ensure free and
fair elections:
Provided that where the Charter or Statutes of the International Sports Body
require appointment of any other person as an electoral officer, the concerned
National Sports Body may appoint such other person after furnishing the details,
including qualifications and experience, of the person, to the Board.
(6) Every National Sports Body, having affiliate units, shall prepare an
Election Panel for the conduct of free and fair elections of the Executive Committees
of their affiliate units, consisting of such number of retired persons as it may deem
necessary, having adequate experience of conduct of elections under the
Representation of the People Act, 1951.
(7) Every affiliate unit shall appoint an electoral officer from the roster to be
maintained by the National Sports Body, to oversee its election process and ensure
free and fair elections.
CHAPTER IX
NATIONAL SPORTS TRIBUNAL
17. (1) The Central Government shall, by notification, constitute a National Sports
Tribunal consisting of a chairperson and two other members, to provide for the
independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of sports related disputes.
(2) The chairperson shall be a person who is or has been, a Judge of the
Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.
(3) The members shall be persons of eminence in public life with wide
knowledge and experience in sports, public administration and law.
(4) The chairperson and the other members of the Tribunal shall be appointed
by the Central Government on the recommendations of a Search-cum-Selection
Committee consisting of the following members, namely:-
(a) the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge recommended
by the Chief Justice of India—chairperson;
(b) the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Law and
Justice;
(c) the Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Sports.
(5) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall determine the procedure for
making its recommendations.
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, order or decree of
any court, or in any law for the time being in force, the Search-cum-Selection
Committee shall recommend a panel of two names for appointment to the post of
chairperson or member, as the case may be, and the Central Government shall take
a decision on the recommendations made by that Committee, preferably within three
months from the date of such recommendation.
(7) No appointment shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or
absence of a member in the Search-cum-Selection Committee.
(8) The term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and
members of the Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed.
(9) The Tribunal shall formulate its own procedure for the conduct of its
business including the timelines to be followed for the disposal of matters.
(10) All expenses incurred in connection with the Tribunal shall be defrayed
out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
18. (1) The Central Government shall remove from office a chairperson or
member of the Tribunal who-
(a) has been adjudged an insolvent;
(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central
Government, involves moral turpitude;
(c) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a member;
(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect
prejudicially his or her functions as a member; or
(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuation in office
prejudicial to public interest:
Provided that where the chairperson or member is proposed to be
removed on any ground specified in clauses (c) to (e), he shall be informed of
the charges against him and given an opportunity of being heard in respect of
those charges.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a member of the
Tribunal shall not be removed from his office on the grounds specified therein unless
the Chief Justice of India or his nominee judge, on a reference being made to him in
this behalf by the Central Government, has on enquiry held in accordance with such
procedure as he may specify in this behalf, recommended the removal.
19. (1) The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Tribunal,
appoint such officers and other employees as may be necessary for discharging the
functions of the Tribunal.
(2) The officers and other employees of the Tribunal shall discharge their
functions under the general superintendence and control of the chairperson or any
other member of the Tribunal to whom powers for exercising such superintendence
and control are delegated by the chairperson.
(3) The qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and
conditions of service of officers and other employees of the Tribunal shall be such
as may be prescribed.
20. The Tribunal shall not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the following
matters, namely:-
(a) any dispute, or conflict arising during the Olympic Games,
Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, or any other
similar events organised by any International Federations;
(b) any dispute falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of—
(i) the internal disputes resolution committee of a National Sports
Body; or
(ii) any other tribunal or court; or
(iii) any International Federation; or
(iv) the Court of Arbitration for Sports established in Lausanne,
Switzerland;
(c) doping related disputes, where Disciplinary Panels constituted under
the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 have exclusive jurisdiction;
(d) any matter in respect of which the International Charters and Statutes
require the parties to submit to specific mechanism or forum for adjudication.
21. The members and other officers and employees of the Board or the
Tribunal shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of
clause (28) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
22. (1) All cases under civil jurisdiction falling within the scope of this Act, in
which the National Sports Bodies are impleaded as parties and are pending before a
District Court or High Court immediately before the constitution of the Tribunal,
shall be transferred to the Tribunal on and from such date as may be specified by the
Central Government.
(2) The cases transferred to the Tribunal under sub-section (1) may be heard
and adjudicated from the stage at which such dispute was pending in the concerned
Court, or may be heard afresh if the Tribunal deems appropriate after recording the
reasons therefor in writing.
23. No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in
respect of any matter on which the Tribunal is empowered under this Act to
determine and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in
respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred on
the Tribunal by or under this Act.
24. (1) The Tribunal shall have, for the purposes of discharging its functions
under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:—
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and
examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) calling for any public record or document or a copy of such record or
document, from any office, subject to the provisions of sections 129 and 130
of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023;
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
(f) reviewing its decisions;
(g) dismissing an application for default or deciding it, ex parte;
(h) setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or
any order passed by it, ex parte; and
(i) any other matter which may be prescribed.
(2) Every proceeding before the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial
proceeding within the meaning of sections 228, 229, 233, 257 and 267 of the
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
(3) The Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purpose of
section 215 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
25. (1) Unless the International Charters and Statutes provide for appeal before
the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an appeal shall lie against any order of the
Tribunal, not being an interlocutory order, to the Supreme Court.
(2) No appeal shall lie against any decision made by the Tribunal with the
consent of the parties.
(3) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty
days from the date of the decision appealed against:
Provided that the Supreme Court may entertain the appeal after the expiry of
the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by
sufficient cause from preferring the appeal in time.
26. (1) An order passed by the Tribunal under this Act shall be executable as
a decree of a civil court, and for this purpose, the Tribunal shall have all the powers
of a civil court.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Tribunal may
transmit any order made by it to a civil court having local jurisdiction and such civil
court shall execute the order as if it were a decree made by that court.
CHAPTER X
USE OF NATIONAL NAMES AND INSIGNIA
27. (1) Any sports organisation desirous of using the word “India” or “Indian”
or "National" or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered
name, operating name, logo or otherwise in its affairs, shall obtain a no-objection
certificate from the Central Government for such use:
Provided that a sports organisation other than a recognised sports organisation
shall, in addition to the requirements under this sub-section, obtain written consent
of the Board.
(2) No sports organisation shall use the name “India” or the name of any State
or district in India, or conduct any sports trials, tournaments, or events upon the
suspension or cancellation of its recognition by the Board under this Act.
(3) No person or group of persons, either individually or collectively, shall
represent or be allowed to represent India or any State or district in India, in any
sports trials, tournaments or events of designated sports without an authorisation by
a National Sports Body or its affiliate unit.
CHAPTER XI
MISCELLANEOUS
28. (1) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the National Sports Board
Fund and there shall be credited thereto-
(a) all grants, fees and charges received by the Board under this Act; and
(b) all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be
decided upon by the Central Government.
(2) The Fund constituted under sub-section (1) shall be applied for meeting-
(a) the salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and Members
of the Board and the administrative expenses including the salaries and
allowances payable to or in respect of officers and other employees of the
Board; and
(b) all other expenses for meeting the objects and for the purposes
authorised by this Act.
29. (1) The Board shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and
prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central
Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(2) The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Comptroller and
Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any
expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Board to
the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any other person
appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Board shall
have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as
the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India generally has, in connection with the
audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand
the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and
papers and to inspect any of the offices of the Board.
(4) The accounts of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and
Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf
together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central
Government and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House
of Parliament.
30. (1) The Central Government in consonance with the International Charters
and Statutes, may take such measures as may be prescribed, as it considers necessary
for the promotion and development of sports, including in the public interest.
(2) The measures referred to in sub-section (1), may include, —
(a) the guiding principles for the conduct of elections by the National
Sports Bodies, including model election rules;
(b) the promotion of the welfare and interests of sportspersons;
(c) the protection of the data and privacy of sportspersons; and
(d) the appropriate use of technology and analytics in the context of sport.
31. (1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying
out the provisions of this Act:
Provided that the Central Government, while making rules under this section,
shall take into consideration the International Charters and Statutes, with the
objective of ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management
and administration of sports in India.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the relevant affiliations of Regional Sports Federation under
sub-section (6) of section 3;
(b) the sportspersons of outstanding merit and other categories of persons
under the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4;
(c) the mode of elections to different bodies, committees and offices
including their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members
thereof, and other matters of governance under sub-section (4) of section 4;
(d) the composition and number of Members of the Board under
sub-section (1) of section 5;
(e) the composition of the search-cum-selection committee under
sub-section (2) of section 5;
(f) the salary and allowances, term of office of Chairperson and other
Members of the Board and other terms and conditions of their service
including removal from service, under sub-section (3) of section 5;
(g) other places in which the Board shall establish its branch offices
under sub-section (5) of section 5;
(h) the measures to be taken by the Board for ensuring protection of the
rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel under clause (i) of section 6;
(i) other powers and functions of the Board under clause (j) of section 6;
(j) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms
and conditions of service of the employees and other officers of the Board
under sub-section (3) of section 7;
(k) the conditions and the manner in which affiliate units of the National
Sports Bodies shall ensure registration of their affiliate units with the Board
under sub-section (6) of section 8;
(l) other persons to be covered by the Safe Sports Policy under
sub-section (2) of section 13;
(m) manner of maintaining roster of the National Sports Election Panel
by the Board under sub-section (3) of section 16;
(n) the fees and other allowances to be paid to the empanelled persons
under sub-section (4) of section 16;
(o) the term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and
members of Tribunal under sub-section (8) of section 17;
(p) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other
terms and conditions of service of the employees and other officers of the
Tribunal under sub-section (3) of section 19;
(q) any other matter under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 24;
(r) the form in which the Board shall prepare annual statement of
accounts under sub-section (1) of section 29;
(s) the measures to be taken by the Central Government for the
promotion and development of sports under sub-section (1) of section 30; and
(t) any other matter which is to be, or may be prescribed.
32. (1) The Board may, with the previous approval of the Central Government,
by notification, make regulations consistent with this Act and the rules made
thereunder, to carry out the provisions of this Act:
Provided that the Board, while making regulations under this section, shall
comply with the International Charter and Statutes, with the objective of ensuring
transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management and administration of
sports in India.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
power, such regulations may make provision for—
(a) the manner of maintaining register of the National Sports Bodies and
their respective affiliate units by the Board under clause (b) of section 6;
(b) the form, manner and particulars of application under sub-section (2)
of section 8;
(c) other criteria and conditions to be complied by the sports
organisations under clause (d) of sub-section (3) of section 8;
(d) the intervals and procedure for renewal of Board recognition under
sub-section (4) of section 8;
(e) the eligibility criteria for Board recognition of a sports organisation
as a National Sports Promotion Organisation, the manner of their governance
and functioning and the intervals and procedure for renewal of such
recognition under sub-section (8) of section 8; and
(f) any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified by regulations
under this Act.
33. Every rule, regulation and every notification made or issued under this Act
shall be laid as soon as may be, after it is made or issued, before each House of
Parliament, while it is in session for a total period of thirty days, which may be
comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if, before the
expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions
aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule, regulation or
notification or both Houses agree that the rule, regulation or notification should not
be made or issued, the rule, regulation or notification shall thereafter have effect
only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that
any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that rule, regulation or notification.
34. (1) If the Central Government considers it necessary and expedient so to
do in the public interest for the promotion of specific sport disciplines consistent
with the spirit of good governance enshrined in the Olympic Charter, it may, in
consultation with the Board and the concerned International Sports Body, by
notification, direct that subject to such conditions and restrictions, if any, and for
such period as may be specified in the notification, all or any of the provisions of
this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder shall not apply to a National
Sports Body or its affiliate unit specified therein.
(2) The Central Government may, by notification, and for reasons to be
recorded in writing, relax the eligibility criteria for the members of the Executive
Committee, if such person is serving in the executive committee or a similar body
of a corresponding International Sports Body or is in the General Body of the
International Olympic Committee or International Paralympic Committee.
35. (1) The Central Government may, from time to time, give such directions
as it may think fit, to the Board or any other person or entity for the efficient
administration of this Act.
(2) The Central Government may, by an order, impose reasonable restrictions
on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport in international sports
competitions or participation of any individual in the activities of the national sports,
under extraordinary circumstances and in the interest of national security, public
order and safety.
36. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any member
of the Board or a National Sports Body or the Tribunal or any employee of such
authorities or any other person or authority for anything which has been done or is
intended to be done in good faith under this Act or the rules and regulations made
thereunder.
37. (1) The National Sports Bodies shall primarily be guided by the
International Charters and Statutes in the governance of its affairs.
(2) In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Act and the
International Charters and Statutes, the Central Government may, after consulting
the Board and the concerned International Sports Body as may be deemed necessary,
issue a clarificatory notification in this regard.
38. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this Act, the
Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such
provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to it to be
necessary, for removing the difficulty:
Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a
period of five years from the date of commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after
it is made, before each House of Parliament.
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The development of sports and related activities is a matter of national priority.
It not only promotes active lifestyle, fitness among the children and youth but also
social inclusiveness and cohesiveness, employment opportunities, peace and overall
development, besides inculcating a sense of identity and pride.
2. The National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 established good
governance practices for sports bodies, essential for healthy development of sports
in the country. It provided framework for recognition of sports organisations,
including Indian Olympic Association, as sports bodies for the regulation of sports
in India. However, there is a felt need for a comprehensive legislation to improve
the governance of the sports bodies and achieve better results in sports and reduce
the disputes and litigation, inter alia, involving sports federations. There is an
imperative need to curb factionalism, and administrative interventions which
adversely affects the organised development of sports and related activities in India
and also for its better presentation before the international sports community.
3. It is the endeavour of India to host major international sports events in the
country and preparation for the same are underway. Also, as a part of the preparatory
activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the
sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better
outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major
international competitions.
4. In light of the above goals, the proposed legislation seeks to provide for the
development and promotion of sports, welfare measures for sportspersons, ethical
practices based on basic universal principles of good governance, ethics and fair
play of the Olympic and sports movement, the Olympic Charter, the Paralympic
Charter, international best practices and established legal standards and to provide
for the resolution of sports grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and
effective manner.
5. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, inter alia, seeks to provide for
the following, namely:-
(i) to provide for the establishment of the National Sports Governing
Bodies such as the National Olympic Committee, the National Paralympic
Committee, the National Sports Federation and the Regional Sports
Federation, for the respective recognised sports organisations;
(ii) to establish a National Sports Board which shall be responsible,
inter alia, for granting Board recognition to the sports organisations as
National Sports Governing Bodies and registration of their affiliates units;
(iii) to provide for the National Sports Election Panel consisting of
former members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election
Commission or former Chief Electoral Officers of the States or Deputy
Election Commissioners, who shall act as electoral officers to oversee the
conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the
Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies;
(iv) to provide for constitution of a National Sports Tribunal consisting
of a chairperson and two other members, to provide for the independent,
speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of sports related disputes;
(v) to make provision for appeal to Supreme Court against any order of
the Tribunal, unless the International Charters and Statutes provide for appeal
before the Court of Arbitration for Sport;
(vi) to restrict the use of National name and insignia for any competition
without obtaining necessary approval;
(vii) to empower the Government of India to take necessary measures
for the promotion and development of sports, in consonance with the
International Charters and the Statutes, including in public interest; and to
exempt any Sports body or their affiliate units from any of the provisions of
the Bill or any rule or regulation made thereunder;
(viii) to empower the Central Government to give such directions as it
may think fit, to the Board or any other person or entity for the efficient
administration of the legislation;
(ix) to provide that the National Sports Bodies shall primarily be guided
by the International Charters and Statutes in the governance of its affairs.
6. The notes on clauses explain in detail the various provisions contained in
the Bill.
7. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
NEW DELHI;
The 14th July, 2025.
DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA.
Notes on clauses
Clause 1. This clause provides for the short title and commencement of the Bill.
Clause 2. This clause defines the various expressions used in the Bill, which,
inter alia, includes, “ad hoc administrative body", "affiliate unit", "Athletes
Committee", "Board", "Board recognition", "designated sport”, “International
Charters and Statutes", "International Federation”, “International Olympic
Committee", "International Sports Body", "National Sports Body", etc.
Clause 3. This clause provides for establishment of national sports governing
bodies, namely the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee,
National Sports Federation and Regional Sports Federation for their respective
recognised sports organisations. The national sports governing bodies shall maintain
international recognition and affiliation from concerned international sports
governing bodies.
Clause 4. This clause provides for compliance requirement relating to the
structure and other requirements for National Sports Bodies to ensure they function
in a fair and transparent manner, in alignment with the international statutes. It
inter alia provides that every National Sports Body shall have a General Body
consisting of equal number of representatives from each of its affiliate units
provided that it shall have representation of Sportspersons of Outstanding merit,
and, an Executive Committee having not more than 15 members, including at least
two sportspersons of outstanding merit, two members from the Athlete Committee,
and ex officio and other members.
Clause 5. This clause provides for establishment of a National Sports Board.
The Board shall consist of a Chairperson and such number of members as the
Central Government may prescribe. The members of the Board shall be appointed
by Central Government on recommendation of search-cum-selection committee
composition of which shall be such, as the Central Government may prescribe.
Clause 6. This clause provides for the powers and functions of the National
Sports Board, which, inter alia, include, to grant Board recognition to sports
organisations and registration of affiliate units and to suspend or cancel such
recognition or registration, maintain a register of the National Sports Bodies and
each of their respective affiliate units, conduct inquiries, constitute an ad hoc
administrative body or to direct the concerned National Sports Body or their affiliate
units to constitute an ad hoc administrative body, issue guidelines for formulation
of the Code of Ethics, frame Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of
women, minor athletes and other classes of persons, maintain a roster of the National
Sports Election Panel.
Clause 7. This clause provides that the Central Government shall in
consultation with Board, appoint officers and employees of the Board for
discharging functions of the Board, under the Bill. The qualification, appointment,
salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officer and
employee of the Board shall be such as the Central Government may prescribe.
Clause 8. This clause provides for the power of the National Sports Board
to grant Board recognition to any sports organisation as a National Sports Body and
the board recognition granted under this clause shall be renewed periodically.
Clause 9. This clause empowers the Board to conduct an inquiry, either on
its own or in response to complaint received on matters affecting the welfare of
sportspersons or the development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds.
Clause 10. This clause provides for the grounds on which Board shall either
on its own or in response to complaint received shall exercise its power to suspend
or cancel Board recognition of a National Sports Body or registration of an affiliate
unit of a National Sports Body. It also provides that all appeals against order of the
board under this clause shall lie with the Tribunal.
Clause 11. This clause provides for the Board to constitute or direct to
constitute ad hoc administrative body as part of normalization process in case of
loss of international recognition or Board recognition of a National Sports Body or
suspension or cancellation of registration of an affiliate unit of a National Sports
Body. It also provides that the ad hoc administrative body shall consist of a
maximum of five eminent sports administrators.
Clause 12. This clause provides for the Board to formulate guidelines for
Code of Ethics establishing minimum standards for the ethical and appropriate
conduct in National Sports Body. The guidelines for Code of Ethics shall be in
alignment with Code of Ethics of international sports bodies.
Clause 13. This clause provides to frame a comprehensive Safe Sports
Policy by the Board to ensure the protection and safety of women, minor athletes
and other persons.
Clause 14. This clause provides that only a recognised sports organisation
shall be eligible to receive grants or any other financial assistance from the Central
Government.
Clause 15. This clause seeks to lay down the duties of recognised sports
organisations and it also provides that a recognised sports organisation shall be
considered as a Public Authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with
respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers under the Bill.
Clause 16. This clause provides for National Sports Election Panel and
appointment of electoral officer. The panel shall consist of such number of persons,
as may be deemed necessary, with experience in conducting of elections. It also
provides that the Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel.
Further, the fees and other allowances of persons on National Sports Election Panel
shall be as the Central Government may prescribe.
Clause 17. This clause provides for the Central Government to constitute,
by notification, a National Sports Tribunal, which shall adjudicate upon sports
related disputes. The Tribunal shall consist of a chairperson and two other members.
The chairperson and the members of the Tribunal shall be appointed by the Central
Government on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee. The
Tribunal shall formulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business including
the timelines to be followed for the disposal of matters and all expenses incurred in
connection with the Tribunal shall be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund of
India.
Clause 18. This clause lay down grounds for removal of chairperson or
members of Tribunal.
Clause 19. This clause provides for appointment of officers and other
employees for the Tribunal and provides to lay down qualifications, appointment,
salary and allowances and other terms and conditions for appointment.
Clause 20. This clause provides those matters, where the Tribunal shall not
have jurisdiction to adjudicate.
Clause 21. This clause provides that the members and other officers and
employees of the Board or the Tribunal, shall be deemed to be public servants within
the meaning of clause (28) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Clause 22. This clause provides for immediate transfer of all cases to the
Tribunal in which National Sports Bodies are impleaded and are pending before a
District Court or High Court.
Clause 23. This clause provides that no civil court shall have jurisdiction to
entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter on which the Tribunal is
empowered under the Bill.
Clause 24. This clause provides that for the purposes of discharging its
functions under the Bill, the Tribunal shall have the same powers as are vested in a
civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
Clause 25. This clause provides that unless the International Charters and
Statutes provide for appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an appeal
against any order of the Tribunal shall lie with the Supreme Court.
Clause 26. This clause provides that an order passed by the Tribunal under
this Bill shall be executable as a decree of a civil court, and for this purpose, the
Tribunal shall have the powers of a civil court.
Clause 27. This clause, inter alia, provides that any sports organisation,
desirous of using the word “India” or “Indian” or “National” or any national insignia
or symbols in any language in its registered name, operating name, logo or otherwise
in its affairs, shall obtain a no-objection certificate from the Central Government for
such use.
Clause 28. This clause seeks to constitute National Sports Board Fund and
it shall be credited thereto with all grants, fees and charges and all sums received by
the Board and the funds shall be applied for meeting salaries and allowances payable
to Chairpersons, members and officers and other employees of the Board and meet
all other expenses for the purposes authorised under the Bill.
Clause 29. This clause provides for maintenance of proper accounts and
other relevant records by the Board which shall be audited by the Comptroller and
Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him. The accounts and
audit report of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of
India or any other person appointed by him, shall be forwarded annually to the
Central Government and the Government shall cause the same to be laid before each
House of Parliament.
Clause 30. This clause provides for measures which may be taken by the
Central Government in consonance with the International Charters for the
promotion and development of sports, including in the public interest.
Clause 31. This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to make
rules to carry out the purposes of the Bill.
Clause 32. This clause seeks to empower the National Sports Board to make
regulations to carry out the purposes of the Bill.
Clause 33. This clause seeks to require that rules and regulations made under
the Bill are to be laid before the Parliament.
Clause 34. This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to
exempt, by notification, all or any of the provisions of this Bill or any rule or
regulation made thereunder from applying upon a National Sports Body or its
affiliate unit specified therein. It also empowers the Central Government to relax
the eligibility criteria for the members of the Executive Committee, subject to
conditions as specified under the Bill.
Clause 35. This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to give
directions and impose reasonable restrictions in interest of national security, safety
and public order.
Clause 36. This clause provides that no suit, prosecution or legal proceeding
shall lie against any member of the Board or a National Sports Body or the Tribunal
or any employee of such authorities or any other person or authority for anything
which has been done or is intended to be done in good faith, under the provisions of
the Bill.
Clause 37. This clause provides that the National Sports Bodies shall
primarily be guided by the International Charters and Statutes in the governance of
its affairs and in the event of conflict between a provision of the Bill and the
International Charters and Statutes, the Central Government may, after consulting
the Board and the concerned International Sports Body, if deemed necessary, issue
a clarificatory notification in this regard.
Clause 38. This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to issue
an order, for removal of any difficulty arises during implementation of the Bill, and
such orders to be laid before House of Parliament. No orders under this clause shall
be passed after expiry of a period of five years from the date of commencement of
the Bill.
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM
Clause 5 (1) provides for establishment of National Sports Board and clause 17(1)
provides for constitution of National Sports Tribunal.
2. Clause 17 (10) provides that all expenses incurred in connection with the
Tribunal shall be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. Clause 28 provides for constitution of the National Sports Board Fund in
which all grants, fees and charges received by the Board and all sums received by
the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central
Government will be credited. The Fund constituted shall be applied for meeting the
salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and Members of the Board and
the administrative expenses including the salaries and allowances payable to or in
respect of officers and other employees of the Board; and all other expenses for
meeting the objects and for the purposes authorised by the Bill.
4. Keeping in view the setting up of the National Sports Board and the
National Sports Tribunal, initially rupees ten crores will be required for salaries of
the members of the Board and Tribunal and other staff to be recruited during the
first financial year. Expenditure on the National Sports Board and the National
Sports Tribunal will be further revised as per their composition and other
requirements. As the expenditure would depend upon the composition of the
National Sports Board and National Sports Tribunal and the staff to be recruited for
both the bodies, recurring or non-recurring expenditure cannot be anticipated at this
stage.
5. The provisions of the Bill, if enacted, would involve recurring and
non-recurring expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund of India. The aforesaid
expenditure to be incurred, would be met from budgetary allocation after such
allocation by the Department of Expenditure, as and when the Board and Tribunal
will be established and constituted, respectively. This expenditure is not quantifiable
at this stage as the structure, posts, number of officers and other aspects are not final.
MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Clause 31 of the Bill seeks to empower the Central Government to make rules
to carry out the provisions of the Bill. Sub-clause (2) of the said clause specifies the
matters in respect of which rules may be made. These matters include-
(i) the relevant affiliations of Regional Sports Federation under
sub-clause (6) of clause 3; (ii) the sportspersons of outstanding merit and other
categories of persons under the proviso to sub-clause (1)(a) of clause 4; (iii)
the mode of elections to different bodies, committees and offices including
their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and
other matters of governance under sub-clause (4) of clause 4; (iv) the
composition and number of Members of the Board under sub-clause (1) of
clause 5; (v) the composition of the search-cum-selection committee under
sub-clause (2) of clause 5; (vi) the salary and allowances, term of office of
Chairperson and other Members of the Board and other terms and conditions
of their service, including removal from service under sub-clause (3) of
clause 5; (vii) other places in which the Board shall establish its branch offices
under sub-clause (5) of clause 5; (viii) the measures to be taken by the Board
for ensuring protection of the rights and welfare of athletes and support
personnel under clause 6 (i); (ix) other powers and functions of the Board
under clause 6 (j); (x) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances
and other terms and conditions of service of the employees and other officers
of the Board under sub-clause (3) of clause 7; (xi) the conditions and the
manner in which affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies shall ensure
registration with the Board under sub-clause (6) of clause 8; (xii) other persons
to be covered by the Safe Sports Policy under sub-clause (2) of clause 13; (xiii)
manner of maintaining roster of the National Sports Election Panel by the
Board under sub-section (3) of clause 16; (xiv) the fees and other allowances
to be paid to the empanelled persons under sub-clause (4) of clause 16; (xv)
the term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and members
of Tribunal under sub-clause (8) of clause 17; (xvi) the qualifications,
appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service
of the employees and other officers of the Tribunal under sub-clause (3) of
clause 19; (xvii) any other matter in respect of which the Tribunal may exercise
the powers of a civil court under sub-clause (1) (i) of clause 24; (xviii) the
form in which the Board shall prepare annual statement of accounts under
sub-clause (1) of clause 29; (xix) the measures to be taken by the Central
Government for the promotion and development of sports under
sub-clause (1) of clause 30; and (xx) any other matter which is to be, or may
be prescribed under the Bill.
2. Clause 32 of the Bill empowers the National Sports Board, with the previous
approval of the Central Government, to make regulations. Sub-clause (2) of the said
clause specifies the matters in respect of which regulations may be made. These
matters include-
(i) the manner of maintaining register of the National Sports Bodies and
their respective affiliate units by the Board under clause 6 (b); (ii) the form,
manner and particulars, of application under sub-clause (2) of clause 8; (iii)
other criteria and conditions to be complied by the sports organisations under
sub-clause (3)(d) of clause 8; (iv) the intervals and procedure for renewal of
Board recognition under sub-clause (4) of clause 8; (v) the eligibility criteria
for Board recognition of a sports organisation as a National Sports Promotion
Organisation, the manner of their governance and functioning and the intervals
and procedure for renewal of such recognition under sub-clause (8) of
clause 8; and (vi) any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified by
regulations.
3. The matters in respect of which the aforementioned rules and regulations
may be made are matters of procedure and administrative details, and as such, it is
not practicable to provide for them in the Bill itself. The delegation of legislative
powers is, therefore, of a normal character.
LOK SABHA
CORRIGENDA
to
The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
[To be/ As introduced in Lok Sabha]
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| S. No. | Page No. | Line(s) No. | For | Read |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 1. | Page (ii), | Against | “organisations” | “organisation" |
| | in the | Clause 15 | | |
| | Arrangement | | | |
| | of Clauses | | | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 2. | Page (ii), | Against | "officer" | "officers" |
| | in the | Clause 16 | | |
| | Arrangement | | | |
| | of Clauses | | | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 3. | 2 | 37 | “(i)” | "(A)" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 4. | 2 | 39 | “(ii)" | "(B)" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 5. | 3 | 1 | "(iii)" | “(C)" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 6. | 5 | 16 | "of the concerned | "who" |
| | | | National Sports | |
| | | | Body" | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 7. | 5 | 17 | "who shall be | "responsible" |
| | | | responsible" | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 8. | 7 | 47 | "Organisations” | "Organisation" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 9. | 8 | 16 | "their affiliate" | "its affiliate" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 10. | 8 | In the | "Power of Board to | "Power of Board |
| | | marginal | suspend or cancel | to suspend or |
| | | heading | Board recognition." | cancel Board |
| | | against | | recognition or |
| | | clause | | registration." |
| | | no.10 | | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 11. | 8 | 47 | "registration of the | "registration" |
| | | | sports organisation" | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 12. | 10 | 12 | "by persons in | "by person in a |
| | | | positions of trust," | position of trust," |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 13. | 10 | In the | "Duties of recognised | "Duties of |
| | | marginal | sports organisations" | recognised sports |
| | | heading | | organisation" |
| | | against | | |
| | | clause | | |
| | | no.15 | | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 14. | 10 | In the | "National Sports | "National Sports |
| | | marginal | Election Panel and | Election Panel and |
| | | heading | appointment of | appointment of |
| | | against | electoral officer" | electoral officers" |
| | | clause | | |
| | | no.16 | | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
P.T.O.
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| S. No. | Page No. | Line(s) No. | For | Read |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 15. | 11 | 11 | "Charter" | "Charters" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 16. | 11 | 38 | "Justice" | "Justice |
| | | | | member" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 17. | 11 | 39 | "Sports" | "Sports - member” |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 18. | 12 | 12 | "his or her functions" | "his functions" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 19. | 12 | 22 | "has on enquiry" | "has on inquiry" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 20. | 15 | 27 | "elections" | "election" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 21. | 15 | 43 | "service of the | "service of the |
| | | | employees and other | officers and the |
| | | | officers" | other employees” |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 22. | 16 | 8 | "service of the | "service of the |
| | | | employees and other | officers and the |
| | | | officers" | other employees” |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 23. | 16 | 20 | "Charter" | "Charters" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 24. | 17 | 22 | "any member” | "any Member” |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 25. | 17 | 23 | "Board or" | "Board or member |
| | | | | of" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 26. | 17 | 23 | "any employee" | "any officer or |
| | | | | other employee" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 27. | 18 | 39 | "Election Commission | "Election |
| | | | of India" | Commission of |
| | | | | India or Deputy |
| | | | | Election |
| | | | | Commissioners" |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 28. | 18 | 40 | "the States or Deputy" | "the States," |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 29. | 18 | 41 | "Election | "who shall act" |
| | | | Commssioners, who | |
| | | | shall act" | |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| 30. | 18 | 45 | "to provide for the | "for the |
| | | | independent," | independent," |
+-----+----------+-----------+-----------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
NEW DELHI;
July 21, 2025
Ashadha 30, 1947 (Saka)
BILL NO. 77 OF 2025
A Bill to amend the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of
India as follows:-
1. (1) This Act may be called the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025.
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Section 2 of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 (hereinafter referred to as
the principal Act) shall be numbered as sub-section (1) thereof and in
sub-section (1) as so numbered,—
(i) after clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:—
'(aa) "Anti-Doping Organisation" means the World Anti-Doping
Agency or a signatory to the Code which is responsible for adopting
rules for initiating, implementing or enforcing any part of the doping
control process and includes the International Olympic Committee, the
International Paralympic Committee, other major event organisations
that conduct testing at their events, International Federations, and the
National Anti-Doping Organisations;';
(ii) in clause (b), after the word and figure "section 4", the words "or as
detailed under the Code as set out in the Schedule" shall be inserted;
(iii) in clause (e), for the words "or such other person", the words
", parent or any other person" shall be substituted;
(iv) in clause (n),—
(a) for the words "up to the disposal", the words "till the final
disposal" shall be substituted;
(b) after the words "Anti-Doping Rule Violation", the words “or
violation of the prohibition of participation during ineligibility or
provisional suspension” shall be inserted;
(v) for clause (q), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:—
'(q) "in-competition" means the period commencing at
11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition in which the athlete is
scheduled to participate till the end of such competition and the sample
collection process related to such competition;';
(vi) after clause (s), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
(sa) "marker" means a compound, group of compounds or
biological variable that indicates the use of a prohibited substance or a
prohibited method;';
(vii) after clause (t), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:—
'(ta) "metabolite" means any substance produced by a
biotransformation process;';
(viii) clause (w) shall be omitted;
(ix) for clause (x), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:-
'(x) "out-of-competition” means any period which is not
in-competition;';
(x) in clause (zc), after the words “any substance”, the words "or class
of substances" shall be inserted;
(xi) in clause (zg), the words “and testing of samples” shall be omitted;
(xii) after sub-section (1) as so numbered, the following sub-section
shall be inserted, namely:-
"(2) The words and expressions used in this Act and not defined
but defined in the Code shall have the same meanings respectively
assigned to them in that Code.".
3. After section 2 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted,
namely:-
"2A. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any
other law, such of the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code as are set
out in the Schedule shall have the force of law in India.
(2) The Central Government may, from time to time, by notification in
the Official Gazette, amend the Schedule in conformity with any
amendments, duly made and adopted, of the provisions of the said Code set
out therein.
(3) Every notification issued under sub-section (2) shall be laid, as soon
as may be after it is issued, before each House of Parliament.”.
4. For section 4 of the principal Act, the following section shall be
substituted, namely:-
"4. Any one or more of the following circumstances or acts or
conducts shall constitute Anti-Doping Rule Violation for the purposes of this
Act, namely:—
(a) the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or
markers in an athlete's sample, unless such presence is exempted under
section 5;
(b) use or attempted use by an athlete of any prohibited substance
or any prohibited method, unless such use is exempted under section 5;
(c) evading sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to
sample collection without compelling justification after notification by
a duly authorised person;
(d) whereabouts failures by an athlete as specified in the Code;
(e) tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping
control by an athlete or other person;
(f) possession of any prohibited substance or any prohibited
method by an athlete or athlete support personnel, unless such
possession is exempted under section 5;
(g) trafficking or attempted trafficking in any prohibited
substance or prohibited method by an athlete or other person;
(h) administration or attempted administration by an athlete or
other person to any athlete in-competition of any prohibited substance
or prohibited method, or administration or attempted administration to
any athlete out-of-competition of any prohibited substance or any
prohibited method that is prohibited out-of-competition;
(i) assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering
up or any other type of intentional complicity or attempted complicity
involving an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, attempted Anti-Doping Rule
Violation or violation of the prohibition against participation during
ineligibility or provisional suspension by any other person;
(j) prohibited association by an athlete or other person as the
Agency may specify by regulations;
(k) acts by an athlete or other person to discourage or retaliate
against reporting to authorities.”.
5. In section 6 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), for the words
"individual athlete or athlete support personnel", the words "athlete or other
person" shall be substituted.
6. In section 7 of the principal Act, in sub-section (7), after the words
"International Federation", the words “, National Olympic Committee, National
Paralympic Committee" shall be inserted.
7. In section 10 of the principal Act, sub-section (5) shall be omitted.
8. In section 11 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2), in clause (d), after the
words "who are", the words "or have been" shall be inserted.
9. In section 12 of the principal Act,—
(a) for the word "Board", wherever it occurs, the words "Central
Government" shall be substituted;
(b) for the words "specified by regulations", wherever they occur, the
word "prescribed" shall be substituted.
10. In section 14 of the principal Act, after sub-section (6), the following
sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-
"(7) The Director General or any other staff member of the Agency
shall have operational independence from any National Sports Federation,
International Federation, National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic
Committee or any Government department or agency with responsibility for
sport or anti-doping.".
11. In section 16 of the principal Act, in sub-section (3), —
(a) for clause (i), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:—
"(i) coordinating and cooperating with the Anti-Doping
Organisations and National Sports Federations;";
(b) in clause (k), the word "Other" shall be omitted.
12. In section 17 of the principal Act, for the words "Therapeutic
Exemption", the words "Therapeutic Use Exemption" shall be substituted.
13. In section 19 of the principal Act, for the words and figures "the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973", the words and figures "the Bharatiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita, 2023" shall be substituted.
14. For section 20 of the principal Act, the following section shall be
substituted, namely:-
"20. Notwithstanding the power of the Agency to direct the collection
of samples of an athlete at any time and at any place, if the Agency has
reasons to believe that an athlete has committed an Anti-Doping Rule
Violation, it shall require such athlete to submit samples for testing, in
accordance with such procedure and in such manner, as may be specified by
regulations.".
15. For section 21 of the principal Act, the following section shall be
substituted, namely:-
"21. (1) After receiving an adverse report from a dope testing laboratory
indicating presence of any prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in the
sample of an athlete or evidence of the use of a prohibited method, the Agency
shall carry out initial examination of the report in such manner as may be specified
by regulations and verify, if Therapeutic Use Exemption has been granted to such
athlete in respect of such substance or if there has been any departure from the
International Standard for Laboratories or International Standard for Testing and
Investigations that may have caused the adverse analytical finding or if it is
apparent that the adverse analytical finding was caused by an ingestion of the
relevant prohibited substance through a permitted route.
(2) Where, after examination and verification under sub-section (1), the
Agency is satisfied that no Therapeutic Use Exemption has been granted to
the athlete and that there has been no departure from the International
Standard for Laboratories or International Standard for Testing and
Investigations that may have caused the adverse analytical finding or that the
adverse analytical finding was not caused by an ingestion of the relevant
prohibited substance through a permitted route, it shall take such actions in
such manner, as may be specified by regulations.”.
16. In section 23 of the principal Act,—
(a) for the words "specified by regulations", wherever they occur, the
word "prescribed" shall be substituted;
(b) in sub-section (2), for the words “regulations as may be made by the
Board", the words "rules as may be made by the Central Government” shall
be substituted;
(c) for sub-section (9) and the Explanation, the following sub-sections
and Explanation shall be substituted, namely:—
'(9) The World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic
Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and the concerned
International Federation may prefer an appeal against the decision of
the Appeal Panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in accordance
with the rules of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Code.
(10) Where the case involves international level athlete or
international events,-
(a) such athlete or other person who is subject to the
decision being appealed;
(b) the National Anti-Doping Agency;
(c) the International Federation;
(d) the World Anti-Doping Agency; and
(e) the International Olympic Committee or the
International Paralympic Committee, as the case may be, where
the decision may have an effect in relation to the Olympic Games
or the Paralympic Games including decisions affecting eligibility
for the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games,
may appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Panel to the Court
of Arbitration for Sport.
(11) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) to
(10), in cases where the World Anti-Doping Agency has a right to
appeal under Article 13 of the Code and no appeal has been filed by
any party against the final decision of the Agency, the World
Anti-Doping Agency may appeal against such decision to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport without exhausting other remedies provided under
this Act and the rules made thereunder.
Explanation. For the purposes of sub-sections (9) to (11),
"Court of Arbitration for Sport" means an international body
established in 1984 to settle disputes related to sport through arbitration
whose headquarter is in Lausanne, Switzerland.'.
17. In section 24 of the principal Act, after the word “Board,", the words
"Appeal Panel," shall be inserted.
18. In section 26 of the principal Act,—
(a) in sub-section (2), in the proviso, for the words “may, if required,",
the word "shall" shall be substituted;
(b) in sub-section (4), in clause (d), after the words “standard operative
procedures", the words ", subject to the International Standard for
Laboratories" shall be inserted.
19. In section 29 of the principal Act,-
(i) after clause (c), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:-
"(ca) the manner of constituting the Appeal Panel under
sub-section (1) of section 12;
(cb) the manner of appointment of the Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson and other members of the Appeal Panel and the
conditions subject to which such appointments shall be made under
sub-section (3) of section 12;
(cc) the grounds on which a member of the Appeal Panel may be
removed under sub-section (4) of section 12;";
(ii) after clause (f), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:-
"(fa) the other decisions against which an appeal may be filed,
and the form and manner in which and the time within which such
appeal may be filed under sub-section (1) of section 23;
(fb) the procedure to be followed by the Appeal Panel under
sub-section (2) of section 23;
(fc) the manner of communicating the decision of the Appeal
Panel under sub-section (8) of section 23;";
(iii) in clause (m), after the word and figures “section 26", the words
", subject to the International Standard for Laboratories" shall be inserted.
20. In section 30 of the principal Act, —
(i) clauses (e), (f) and (g) shall be omitted;
(ii) clauses (1), (m) and (n) shall be omitted.
21. In section 31 of the principal Act,-
(a) in sub-section (1), —
(i) in the opening portion, for the words "for complying with the
requirements of international obligations and commitments including the
Code", the words “in compliance with the international obligations and the
Code, including its International Standards,” shall be substituted;
(ii) in clause (j), for the words “anti-doping control", the words
"doping control” shall be substituted;
(iii) in clause (m), the word "other" shall be omitted;
(b) in sub-section (2), —
(i) clause (b) shall be omitted;
(ii) for clause (c), the following clause shall be substituted,
namely:-
"(c) the prohibited association by an athlete or other person
under clause (j) of section 4;";
(iii) clause (d) shall be omitted.
22. After section 34 of the principal Act, the following Schedule shall be
inserted, namely:-
"THE SCHEDULE
(See section 2A)
PROVISIONS OF THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING CODE, WHICH SHALL HAVE
FORCE OF LAW
ARTICLE 2 ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATIONS
The purpose of Article 2 is to specify the circumstances and conduct which
constitute anti-doping rule violations. Hearings in doping cases will proceed
based on the assertion that one or more of these specific rules have been violated.
Athletes or other Persons shall be responsible for knowing what constitutes
an anti-doping rule violation and the substances and methods which have
been included on the Prohibited List.
The following constitute anti-doping rule violations:
2.1 Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in
an Athlete's Sample
2.1.1 It is the Athletes' personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited
Substance enters their bodies. Athletes are responsible for any
Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers found to be
present in their Samples. Accordingly, it is not necessary that
intent, Fault, Negligence or knowing Use on the Athlete's part be
demonstrated in order to establish an anti-doping rule violation
under Article 2.1.7
7 [Comment to Article 2.1.1: An anti-doping rule violation is
committed under this Article without regard to an Athlete's Fault. This
rule has been referred to in various CAS decisions as “Strict
Liability". An Athlete's Fault is taken into consideration in
determining the Consequences of this anti-doping rule violation under
Article 10. This principle has consistently been upheld by CAS.]
2.1.2 Sufficient proof of an anti-doping rule violation under Article 2.1
is established by any of the following: presence of a Prohibited
Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in the Athlete's A
Sample where the Athlete waives analysis of the B Sample and
the B Sample is not analyzed; or, where the Athlete's B Sample is
analyzed and the analysis of the Athlete's B Sample confirms the
presence of the Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or
Markers found in the Athlete's A Sample; or where the Athlete's
A or B Sample is split into two parts and the analysis of the
confirmation part of the split Sample confirms the presence of the
Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers found in the
first part of the split Sample or the Athlete waives analysis of the
confirmation part of the split Sample. 8
8 [Comment to Article 2.1.2: The Anti-Doping Organization with
Results Management responsibility may, at its discretion, choose
to have the B Sample analyzed even if the Athlete does not request
the analysis of the B Sample.]
2.1.3 Excepting those substances for which a Decision Limit is
specifically identified in the Prohibited List or a Technical
Document, the presence of any reported quantity of a Prohibited
Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete's Sample
shall constitute an anti-doping rule violation.
2.1.4 As an exception to the general rule of Article 2.1, the Prohibited
List, International Standards, or Technical Documents may
establish special criteria for reporting or the evaluation of certain
Prohibited Substances.
2.2 Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a
Prohibited Method 9
9 [Comment to Article 2.2: It has always been the case that Use or
Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method may
be established by any reliable means. As noted in the Comment to
Article 3.2, unlike the proof required to establish an anti-doping rule
violation under Article 2.1, Use or Attempted Use may also be
established by other reliable means such as admissions by the Athlete,
witness statements, documentary evidence, conclusions drawn from
longitudinal profiling, including data collected as part of the Athlete
Biological Passport, or other analytical information which does not
otherwise satisfy all the requirements to establish “Presence" of a
Prohibited Substance under Article 2.1. For example, Use may be
established based upon reliable analytical data from the analysis of an
A Sample (without confirmation from an analysis of a B Sample) or
from the analysis of a B Sample alone where the Anti-Doping
Organization provides a satisfactory explanation for the lack of
confirmation in the other Sample.]
2.2.1 It is the Athletes' personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited
Substance enters their bodies and that no Prohibited Method is
Used. Accordingly, it is not necessary that intent, Fault,
Negligence or knowing Use on the Athlete's part be demonstrated
in order to establish an anti-doping rule violation for Use of a
Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method.
2.2.2 The success or failure of the Use or Attempted Use of a
Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method is not material. It is
sufficient that the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method was
Used or Attempted to be Used for an anti-doping rule violation to
be committed. 10
10 [Comment to Article 2.2.2: Demonstrating the "Attempted Use”
of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method requires proof of
intent on the Athlete's part. The fact that intent may be required to
prove this particular anti-doping rule violation does not undermine
the Strict Liability principle established for violations of Article 2.1
and violations of Article 2.2 in respect of Use of a Prohibited
Substance or Prohibited Method. An Athlete's Use of a Prohibited
Substance constitutes an anti-doping rule violation unless such
Substance is not prohibited Out-of-Competition and the Athlete's
Use takes place Out-of-Competition. (However, the presence of a
Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in a Sample
collected In-Competition is a violation of Article 2.1 regardless of
when that Substance might have been administered.)]
2.3 Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection by an
Athlete
Evading Sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to Sample
collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly
authorized Person. 11
11 [Comment to Article 2.3: For example, it would be an anti-doping
rule violation of "evading Sample collection” if it were established that
an Athlete was deliberately avoiding a Doping Control official to evade
notification or Testing. A violation of "failing to submit to Sample
collection" may be based on either intentional or negligent conduct of
the Athlete, while “evading” or “refusing" Sample collection
contemplates intentional conduct by the Athlete.]
2.4 Whereabouts Failures by an Athlete
Any combination of three missed tests and/or filing failures, as defined
in the International Standard for Results Management, within a
twelve-month period by an Athlete in a Registered Testing Pool.
2.5 Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any Part of Doping Control
by an Athlete or Other Person
2.6 Possession of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method by an
Athlete or Athlete Support Person
2.6.1 Possession by an Athlete In-Competition of any Prohibited Substance
or any Prohibited Method, or Possession by an Athlete
Out-of-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited
Method which is prohibited Out-of-Competition unless the Athlete
establishes that the Possession is consistent with a Therapeutic Use
Exemption ("TUE”) granted in accordance with Article 4.4 or other
acceptable justification. 12
12 [Comment to Articles 2.6.1 and 2.6.2: Acceptable justification
would not include, for example, buying or Possessing a
Prohibited Substance for purposes of giving it to a friend or
relative, except under justifiable medical circumstances where
that Person had a physician's prescription, e.g., buying Insulin
for a diabetic child.]
2.6.2 Possession by an Athlete Support Person In-Competition of any
Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method, or Possession by
an Athlete Support Person Out-of-Competition of any Prohibited
Substance or any Prohibited Method which is prohibited
Out-of-Competition in connection with an Athlete, Competition
or training, unless the Athlete Support Person establishes that the
Possession is consistent with a TUE granted to an Athlete in
accordance with Article 4.4 or other acceptable justification. 13
13[Comment to Articles 2.6.1 and 2.6.2: Acceptable justification
may include, for example, (a) an Athlete or a team doctor
carrying Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods for
dealing with acute and emergency situations (e.g., an epinephrine
auto-injector), or (b) an Athlete Possessing a Prohibited
Substance or Prohibited Method for therapeutic reasons shortly
prior to applying for and receiving a determination on a TUE.]
2.7 Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in any Prohibited Substance
or Prohibited Method by an Athlete or Other Person
2.8 Administration or Attempted Administration by an Athlete or
Other Person to any Athlete In-Competition of any Prohibited
Substance or Prohibited Method, or Administration or Attempted
Administration to any Athlete Out-of-Competition of any
Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method that is Prohibited
Out-of-Competition
2.9 Complicity or Attempted Complicity by an Athlete or Other Person
Assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up or any
other type of intentional complicity or Attempted complicity involving
an anti-doping rule violation, Attempted anti-doping rule violation or
violation of Article10.14.1 by another Person.14
14 [Comment to Article 2.9: Complicity or Attempted Complicity may
include either physical or psychological assistance.]
2.10 Prohibited Association by an Athlete or Other Person
2.10.1 Association by an Athlete or other Person subject to the
authority of an Anti-Doping Organization in a professional or
sport-related capacity with any Athlete Support Person who:
2.10.1.1 If subject to the authority of an Anti-Doping
Organization, is serving a period of Ineligibility; or
2.10.1.2 If not subject to the authority of an Anti-Doping
Organization, and where Ineligibility has not been addressed
in a Results Management process pursuant to the Code, has
been convicted or found in a criminal, disciplinary or
professional proceeding to have engaged in conduct
which would have constituted a violation of anti-doping
rules if Code-compliant rules had been applicable to such
Person. The disqualifying status of such Person shall be in
force for the longer of six (6) years from the criminal,
professional or disciplinary decision or the duration of the
criminal, disciplinary or professional sanction imposed; or
2.10.1.3 Is serving as a front or intermediary for an individual
described in Article 2.10.1.1 or 2.10.1.2.
2.10.2 To establish a violation of Article 2.10, an Anti-Doping
Organization must establish that the Athlete or other Person
knew of the Athlete Support Person's disqualifying status.
The burden shall be on the Athlete or other Person to establish
that any association with an Athlete Support Person described
in Article 2.10.1.1 or 2.10.1.2 is not in a professional or
sport-related capacity and/or that such association could not
have been reasonably avoided.
Anti-Doping Organizations that are aware of Athlete Support
Personnel who meet the criteria described in Article 2.10.1.1,
2.10.1.2, or 2.10.1.3 shall submit that information to WADA. 15
15 [Comment to Article 2.10: Athletes and other Persons must
not work with coaches, trainers, physicians or other Athlete
Support Personnel who are Ineligible on account of an
anti-doping rule violation or who have been criminally convicted
or professionally disciplined in relation to doping. This also
prohibits association with any other Athlete who is acting as a
coach or Athlete Support Person while serving a period of
Ineligibility. Some examples of the types of association which are
prohibited include: obtaining training, strategy, technique,
nutrition or medical advice; obtaining therapy, treatment or
prescriptions; providing any bodily products for analysis; or
allowing the Athlete Support Person to serve as an agent or
representative. Prohibited association need not involve any form
of compensation.
While Article 2.10 does not require the Anti-Doping
Organization to notify the Athlete or other Person about the
Athlete Support Person's disqualifying status, such notice, if
provided, would be important evidence to establish that the
Athlete or other Person knew about the disqualifying status of
the Athlete Support Person.].
2.11 Acts by an Athlete or Other Person to Discourage or Retaliate
Against Reporting to Authorities
Where such conduct does not otherwise constitute a violation of
Article 2.5:
2.11.1 Any act which threatens or seeks to intimidate another Person
with the intent of discouraging the Person from the good-faith
reporting of information that relates to an alleged anti-doping rule
violation or alleged non-compliance with the Code to WADA, an
Anti-Doping Organization, law enforcement, regulatory or
professional disciplinary body, hearing body or Person conducting
an investigation for WADA or an Anti-Doping Organization.
2.11.2 Retaliation against a Person who, in good faith, has provided
evidence or information that relates to an alleged anti-doping rule
violation or alleged non-compliance with the Code to WADA, an
Anti-Doping Organization, law enforcement, regulatory or
professional disciplinary body, hearing body or Person conducting
an investigation for WADA or an Anti-Doping Organization. 16
16 [Comment to Article 2.11.2: This Article is intended to protect
Persons who make good faith reports, and does not protect
Persons who knowingly make false reports.]
For purposes of Article 2.11, retaliation, threatening and
intimidation include an act taken against such Person either
because the act lacks a good faith basis or is a disproportionate
response. 17
17 [Comment to Article 2.11.2: Retaliation would include, for
example, actions that threaten the physical or mental well-being
or economic interests of the reporting Persons, their families or
associates. Retaliation would not include an Anti-Doping
Organization asserting in good faith an anti-doping rule violation
against the reporting Person. For purposes of Article 2.11, a
report is not made in good faith where the Person making the
report knows the report to be false.]".
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 was enacted to promote and strengthen
the anti-doping measures in sports and to provide a statutory framework for the
operation of the National Anti-Doping Agency, the National Dope Test
Laboratory, and for creation of the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports.
2. The said Act seeks to fulfil India's obligations under the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Convention against
Doping in Sport and commits to the principles of the World Anti-Doping Code.
3. It has been the constant endeavour of the Government of India to
strengthen the Anti-Doping framework and the amendments to the National
Anti-Doping Act, 2022 are proposed in keeping with the need to align the said Act
with the international best practices and the World Anti-Doping Code. The
amendments in the said Act are in furtherance of ensuring a robust anti-doping
ecosystem in India.
4. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, inter alia, seeks to—
(i) enhance institutional and operational independence of the National
Anti-Doping Appeal Panel and the National Anti-Doping Agency to ensure
autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations and
enforcement activities;
(ii) further align the provisions of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022
with international best practices and the World Anti-Doping Code;
(iii) provide that such of the provisions of the World Anti-Doping
Code as are set out in the Schedule shall have the force of law in India; and
(iv) place Article 2 of the World Anti-Doping Code relating to
Anti-Doping Rule Violations in the Schedule to the Act.
5. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
NEW DELHI;
The 14th July, 2025.
DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA.
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM
The provisions of the Bill do not involve any additional expenditure of
recurring or non-recurring nature from the Consolidated Fund of India except what
has already been envisaged under the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022.
MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Clause 3 of the Bill seeks to insert section 2A in the National Anti-Doping
Act, 2022, (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) to provide for application
of the World Anti-Doping Code, which mandates that such of the provisions of the
said Code as are set out in the Schedule shall have the force of law in India.
Sub-section (2) thereof empowers the Central Government to amend the Schedule
from time to time in conformity with any amendments made in the provisions of
the said Code set out therein.
2. Clause 18 of the Bill seeks to amend clause (d) of sub-section (4) of
section 26 of the principal Act to empower the Central Government to make rules
regarding the functions of the dope testing laboratory, the procedure for
submission to the said laboratory of samples for analysis or tests and other
standard operative procedures, subject to the international standard for
laboratories.
3. Clause 19 of the Bill seeks to amend section 29 of the principal Act to
empower the Central Government to make rules, inter alia, in respect of matters
relating to-
(i) the manner of constituting an Appeal Panel under sub-section (1) of
section 12; (ii) the manner of appointment of the Chairperson and
Vice-Chairperson and other members of the Appeal Panel and the conditions
subject to which such appointment shall be made under sub-section (3) of
section 12; (iii) the grounds on which a member of Appeal Panel may be
removed under sub-section (4) of section 12; (iv) the other decisions against
which an appeal may be filed, and the form and manner in which and the
time within which such appeal may be filed under sub-section (1) of
section 23; (v) the procedure to be followed by the Appeal Panel under
sub-section (2) of section 23; (vi) the manner of communicating the decision
of the Appeal Panel under sub-section (8) of section 23.
4. Clause 21 of the Bill seeks to amend section 31 of the principal Act to
empower the National Anti-Doping Agency to make regulations in compliance
with international obligations and the Code including its International Standards.
5. The matters in respect of which the aforementioned rules or regulations
may be made are matters of procedure and administrative details and as such, it is
not practicable to provide for them in the Bill itself. The delegation of legislative
power is, therefore, of a normal character.
UTPAL KUMAR SINGH
Secretary General.
UPLOADED BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, MINTO ROAD, NEW DELHI-110002
AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLLER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI-110054.
MGIPMRND-141GI(S4)—24-7-2025.