The revised Scheme of Assistance to NSFs marks a shift from event-based funding to building a high-performance ecosystem. Critically examine in the context of India's 2036 Olympic ambitions.

The Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) is a Central Sector Scheme. It has been revised for 2026-31 with ₹7,386.74 crore [1]. That is about ₹1,477 crore a year, against ₹245 crore a year in 2019-20 [3]. The new design leans towards building a sporting system. Weak capacity and governance, however, limit that shift.

Shift towards a high-performance ecosystem

• Olympic Training Centres (OTCs): each covers one sport, has sports-science equipment, and aims to cut reliance on overseas training [1].
• Support staff: the scheme funds High Performance Directors, physiotherapists, sports scientists and doctors, so it pays for systems and not only for events [1].
• Hosting capacity: up to ₹50 crore for each international event, and up to ₹50 crore for running the National Games, including Timing, Scoring and Result (TSR) services. This builds a hosting record ahead of CWG 2030 and the 2036 bid [1].
• Soft power: scholarships for the Global South, events with BRICS and BIMSTEC, and offices of international federations in India. Together these build Indian influence in global sports bodies [1].

Limitations

• Capacity deficit: about 45% of sanctioned SAI posts were vacant in 2025, up from over 37% in 2019 [2][3]. Some of the 24 National Centres of Excellence do not function [2], and new OTCs could end up the same way.
• Event bias persists: the ₹50 crore hosting grants are decided case by case by a committee headed by Secretary (Sports), with no published formula [1]. Money from the National Sports Development Fund has been diverted to other uses before, and athletes' kit and nutrition stipends have not been revised for years [2].
• Governance: most NSFs are run by non-sportspersons and lack grievance systems [3]. The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 ties funding to recognition, but this risks international bans for "interference". FIFA suspended AIFF in 2022 and wrestling's world body suspended WFI in 2023 [4].
• Federal gap: sport is on the State List, yet this money bypasses State governments [4].

Overall, the revised ANSF moves from funding events towards building systems, but people and governance still hold it back. Four steps would help:

• fill SAI vacancies before opening OTCs;
• publish a scoring formula for hosting grants;
• frame recognition rules that match the Olympic Charter;
• use the proposed State sports index to decide where OTCs go [2].

With these steps, India's 2036 bid would rest on podium-ready athletes, not just on venues.