UNION BUDGET 2026-27 PROPOSES DEDICATED INITIATIVE FOR SPORTS GOODS TO PROMOTE MANUFACTURING, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

• Union Budget 2026-27 announced a dedicated initiative for sports goods manufacturing, R&D and innovation, with a ₹500 crore allocation, alongside the Khelo India Mission for decadal sports transformation.
• Anchored in the first of three "kartayvas" (pillars) of Budget 2026-27, leveraging India's potential as a global hub for affordable, high-quality sports goods.
• Implementing nodal body: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS); overall MYAS allocation hiked by ₹1,133 crore.
• Strategic target: Top 10 sporting nation by 2036 and Top 5 by 2047.