Elections of all National Sports Federations (NSFs) will be postponed by a year to facilitate smooth implementation of the newly-introduced National Sports Governance (NSG) Act. This decision will also impact the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
In a letter issued on Monday to the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all NSFs, the sports ministry informed that elections scheduled in the coming months will be deferred until December 31, 2026. The move has been described as a transitional arrangement to allow federations adequate time to align their structures with the provisions of the NSG Act.
As a result, the AIFF elections will take place in 2027, subject to approval by the federation’s general body. The current executive committee, led by president Kalyan Chaubey, will continue in office during the extended period. AIFF elections were originally due in September 2026, upon completion of the committee’s four-year term. Chaubey is also serving as joint-secretary of the IOA.
The ministry stated that the postponement has been granted as a one-time measure, citing the extensive statutory, structural and procedural changes required under the new legislation. According to the ministry, implementing these reforms within the existing election timelines would have been impractical.
“In order to ensure a smooth transition under the new governance framework and to provide sufficient time for NSFs to comply with the statutory requirements of the NSG Act, 2025, it has been decided to allow deferment of elections till December 31, 2026, except in cases where courts have issued specific directions,” said Harikumar M, Director (Sports) in the ministry.
The NSG Act is aimed at introducing a stronger and more transparent electoral system, while ensuring uniformity in the constitutions and bye-laws of all sports federations. The reforms are seen as a key step ahead of India’s proposed bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Each federation will be required to restructure its general body and internal governance mechanisms to fully comply with the Act. Following a review of upcoming election schedules, the ministry concluded that the scale of changes envisaged under the law are foundational in nature and cannot be implemented within a limited timeframe.
During the deferment period, the existing executive committees of the affected federations will continue to function, with the tenure of current office-bearers extended until the revised election deadline, subject to approval by their respective general bodies.
President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the National Sports Governance Act on August 18, and the sports ministry is currently in the process of formally notifying the legislation.
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