Centre Notifies National Sports Board, Tribunal Rules to Reform Sports Governance
New Framework Aims to Strengthen Transparency, Accountability and Faster Resolution of Sports Disputes
he National Sports Board will function as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial and ethical standards.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026 under the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, marking a significant step towards institutional reforms in India’s sports administration system.
The newly notified rules establish the framework for the functioning of the National Sports Board and the National Sports Tribunal, both of which are expected to play a central role in improving governance standards and dispute resolution mechanisms in Indian sports.
According to the ministry, the National Sports Board will function as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial and ethical standards.
Under the Rules, the Board will comprise a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government from a panel recommended by a Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted under separate rules notified earlier this year.
The Rules also define the tenure, salaries, allowances, service conditions and powers of the Chairperson and Members of the Board.
The Government stated that the Board has been designed to bring greater transparency, accountability and uniform governance practices across sports federations and associations in the country.
In parallel, the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026 establish a dedicated adjudicatory mechanism for resolving sports-related disputes.
The Tribunal will handle matters related to sports governance and administration and is expected to reduce dependence on civil courts by offering a faster, independent and cost-effective dispute resolution framework.
Officials said the Tribunal would help minimise multiplicity of litigation by providing a single-window mechanism for sports disputes involving athletes, federations and other stakeholders.
The Rules incorporate several digital and techno-legal measures to modernise dispute management processes. These include a dedicated online portal for submission of disputes, notices, responses and supporting documents, along with provisions for virtual hearings, digital communication and online publication of Tribunal orders.
The Government said the digital-first approach is aimed at making the adjudication process more accessible, efficient and transparent for stakeholders across the country.
The National Sports Tribunal Rules and National Sports Board Rules have been published in the official Gazette and are now operational.
The move is being viewed as part of broader efforts by the Government to modernise India’s sports governance ecosystem and align administrative structures with global standards of transparency and accountability.
