The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 1,856.67 crore through 2033-34 to boost domestic manufacturing, innovation, employment, investment and sports goods exports.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with a total financial outlay of Rs. 1,856.67 crore for the period from 2026-27 to 2033-34. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s domestic sports goods manufacturing industry, attract investment, promote innovation, generate employment and expand exports.
Announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, the scheme seeks to establish India as a globally competitive hub for designing, developing and manufacturing high-quality sports equipment. It will provide support for investment, technology adoption, research and development, skill development, international quality certification and market expansion. The approval was announced in an official release by the Press Information Bureau.
The scheme aligns with the objectives of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. It is also intended to complement the country’s broader sporting development programmes by improving the availability of quality, internationally certified sports goods for athletes and sporting institutions.
Dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones
A major component of the initiative is the development of dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs). These zones will bring manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities, design and prototyping centres, and ancillary enterprises together within integrated industrial ecosystems.
The proposed zones will be developed through convergence with existing industrial infrastructure under the BHAVYA Scheme and industrial parks managed by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC). The cluster-based approach is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen supply chains and facilitate collaboration between different participants in the manufacturing sector.
The government expects these integrated facilities to encourage investment, expand production capacity and improve the competitiveness of Indian sports goods manufacturers in domestic and international markets.
Rs. 1,130 Crore for Investment and Production Support
The scheme allocates a combined Rs. 1,130 crore to two major components: Anchor Investment Support and Turnover Linked Support.
Under the Anchor Investment Support component, leading domestic and international manufacturers, sports brands and retail chains will be encouraged to establish production facilities within designated manufacturing zones. The initiative is expected to attract private investment and support the development of suppliers and ancillary industries.
The Turnover Linked Support component will incentivise increased production, expansion of manufacturing capacity and sustained industrial growth.
Together, these measures are intended to strengthen domestic manufacturing, increase value addition within India, reduce dependence on imported sports goods and create employment opportunities across the manufacturing and supply chain.
Support for MSMEs and Manufacturing Clusters
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will receive particular attention under the scheme because of their role in the sports goods manufacturing industry.
Assistance will be provided to upgrade existing manufacturing clusters, including the development of common facilities and shared infrastructure. These improvements are intended to help smaller manufacturers improve productivity, adopt modern technologies and compete more effectively with international producers.
The scheme also places emphasis on product quality and international certification. An allocation of Rs. 105 crore will support manufacturers in obtaining and renewing certifications from International Sports Federations.
Access to recognised certifications is expected to improve product reliability, increase confidence in Indian-made sports goods and help manufacturers enter international markets.
Research, Innovation and Startup Development
Research and innovation form another important pillar of the programme. Support will be provided to establish Centres of Excellence at leading educational and research institutions to advance studies in sports equipment, material sciences, protective gear and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Research and development activities will also be encouraged through collaboration with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
Startups will receive dedicated support in line with the Startup India initiative. The assistance will help entrepreneurs develop, test, validate and commercialise new products, technologies and manufacturing processes.
These measures are intended to encourage innovation and enable Indian companies to develop sports equipment that meets evolving technological requirements and international performance standards.
Skill Development, Exports and Employment
The scheme will promote industry-oriented skill development in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and relevant industry stakeholders. Training programmes will be designed to address changing manufacturing requirements and prepare workers for emerging opportunities in the sector.
The government will also undertake branding, outreach and market development initiatives by leveraging the Export Promotion Mission. These efforts aim to improve the international visibility of Indian sports goods, strengthen access to overseas markets and expand export opportunities.
By increasing domestic production and improving quality standards, the scheme is expected to support India’s sporting ecosystem and complement programmes such as Khelo India and Fit India.
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Overall, the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme represents a coordinated effort to develop manufacturing infrastructure, strengthen MSMEs, encourage research and attract investment. Through these measures, the government aims to build a competitive sports goods industry, create employment, increase exports and reduce import dependence.
The initiative is also aligned with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047, linking India’s sporting ambitions with industrial development and economic opportunities.
