19 March 2026·PIB

NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Realising the Export Potential of India’s Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector”

In this note

1. At a Glance

NITI Aayog report (released 19 March 2026) mapping India's competitiveness, cluster strengths, and export roadmap for the sports equipment industry, aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat / Make in India push [1][2].
Aspirational target: scale exports from US$ 275 million to US$ 8.1 billion by 2036, generating ~54 lakh jobs [2].
Relevant for UPSC GS-III (industrial policy, MSME, exports) and Prelims (schemes, clusters, GI products).

Released by Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in presence of Dr. Arvind Virmani (Member) and Nidhi Chhibber (CEO, NITI Aayog) on 19 March 2026 at New Delhi [1].
Part of NITI Aayog's sectoral export-potential series (after the 2024 Hand & Power Tools "US$ 25 billion" report) [3].

Indian sports goods manufacturing is century-old, concentrated in Jalandhar (Punjab) and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) [1][2].
Sector traditionally MSME-dominated; ~90% of production by small and micro enterprises [1].
Predecessor frameworks: Khelo India (2018), PLI Scheme for manufacturing, One District One Product (ODOP), MSME cluster development (SFURTI), Districts as Export Hubs.

Releasing body: NITI Aayog (Industry & Foreign Investment vertical) [2].
Coordinating ministry context: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports; Ministry of Commerce & Industry (DGFT); MSME Ministry [1].
Current India exports: ~US$ 275 million / ₹2,301.26 crore annually (~0.5% of global market) [2].
Global sports goods market: ~US$ 700 billion (2024), projected to cross US$ 1 trillion by 2036; equipment segment alone ~US$ 140 billion → ~US$ 283 billion by 2036 [1].
Target: US$ 8.1 billion (₹75,516.30 crore) exports by 2036; ~54 lakh jobs [2].
Investment proposal: ₹4,000 crore for four greenfield clusters + ₹1,000 crore to upgrade legacy clusters (Meerut, Jalandhar) [2].
Cluster geography: Jalandhar (Punjab) — cricket bats, footballs, hockey sticks; Meerut (UP) — cricket goods, sports apparel [1][2].

Economic

Sector is a labour-intensive MSME stronghold — direct lever for employment + non-farm rural-urban industrial growth [1].
Export multiplier: scaling to US$ 8.1 bn would lift India's share well beyond current 0.5% [2].

Administrative / Governance

Convergence required across MoYAS, MoC&I, MSME, State Govts of Punjab & UP — classic federal coordination issue [1].
Proposed shared testing & certification facilities address an SME-scale infrastructure gap [2].

Strategic (Trade)

India faces inverted duty structures and tariff distortions on raw materials (leather, synthetic rubber, EVA) — report calls for rationalisation of duties [2].
Need for "Brand India" framework to counter dominance of China, Vietnam, Pakistan (Sialkot) in global supply chains [2].

Social

High MSME concentration → livelihoods for artisanal/skilled labour, particularly in Meerut, Jalandhar, Sialkot-adjacent border belts [1].

Technological

Report flags technology upgradation — automation, composites, 3D-printed gear — and creation of R&D + design centres [2].

19 March 2026 — Report released by NITI Aayog [1].
2024-25 — NITI Aayog's parallel "Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential — Hand & Power Tools Sector" report (template for this sectoral approach) [3].
Export Preparedness Index 2024 released by NITI Aayog (Jan 2026) ranks states on export readiness — same analytical stable [3].

Report titled "Realising the Export Potential of India's Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector" released by NITI Aayog on 19 March 2026 [1].
Released by Suman Bery (Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog) [1].
CEO of NITI Aayog: Nidhi Chhibber (as on release date) [1].
Current annual sports equipment exports: ~US$ 275 million (~₹2,301 crore) [2].
India's share in global sports equipment exports: ~0.5% [2].
Global sports goods market size (2024): ~US$ 700 billion; projected to cross US$ 1 trillion by 2036 [1].
Two principal manufacturing clusters: Jalandhar (Punjab) and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) [1].
~90% of production by MSMEs [1].
Proposed four greenfield clusters with ₹4,000 crore investment [2].
₹1,000 crore for upgrading legacy clusters [2].
Export target by 2036: US$ 8.1 billion; employment target: ~54 lakh jobs [2].
Issuing body is NITI Aayog, NOT Ministry of Commerce or MoYAS (which were participants only) [1].

GS-III: Indian Economy → Industrial Policy; MSMEs; Exports & EXIM strategy; Employment.
GS-II: Government policies (Make in India, PLI, ODOP) and federal coordination.
Probable stems: 1. "Despite a century-old manufacturing base in Meerut and Jalandhar, India captures barely 0.5% of the global sports equipment trade. Examine the structural constraints and evaluate NITI Aayog's 2026 roadmap." (GS-III) 2. "Cluster-based development and shared infrastructure are pivotal for MSME-led export growth. Discuss with reference to the sports equipment sector." (GS-III) 3. "Discuss how 'Brand India' and quality certification ecosystems can transition India from a low-cost OEM supplier to a recognised global manufacturer." (GS-III)

Export Preparedness Index 2024 (NITI Aayog) — sister analytical product on state-level export readiness [3].
PLI Scheme — central instrument for scaling manufacturing exports.
One District One Product (ODOP) / Districts as Export Hubs — DGFT–DPIIT initiative directly relevant to Meerut/Jalandhar.
SFURTI / MSE-CDP — cluster development schemes for MSMEs.
Khelo India / TOPS — demand-side push for domestic sports ecosystem.
Hand & Power Tools Export Report 2024 (NITI Aayog) — methodological template.
GI Tags — Meerut scissors / Jalandhar sports goods context (related cluster IP).
Inverted Duty Structure & FTA strategy — relevant for raw material tariffs.

Issuing body: It is NITI Aayog, not Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports or Ministry of Commerce.
Sialkot is in Pakistan, not India — Indian counterpart cluster is Jalandhar.
Do not confuse with NITI Aayog's Hand & Power Tools report (US$ 25 bn target) — sports equipment target is US$ 8.1 bn by 2036 [2][3].
Vice Chairman is Suman Bery (not Rajiv Kumar / Arvind Panagariya — past holders).
The ₹4,000 crore figure is for new greenfield clusters; ₹1,000 crore is for upgrading legacy clusters — easy to swap [2].