One key feature of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 is that any sports organisation that wants to use the word “India” or “Indian” or “National”, or any national insignia in any language will have to obtain a no-objection certificate from the central government. The Bill was introduced in Parliament by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday. It brings the BCCI directly under its purview once it is passed and enacted into law. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, too, was introduced in the Lower House.
According to the proposed Bill, there should be only one National Olympic Committee and one National Paralympic Committee to govern multi-sport disciplines. Both should have recognition and affiliation with the International Olympic Committee. There should be a National Sports Federation (NSF) for each designated sport and a Regional Sports Federation at the state level.
Once the Bill is enacted into law, the BCCI would be considered as an NSF. So, like all other sports federations, it will have to apply for annual recognition from the central government. Also, future legal disputes involving the BCCI will be taken care of by the National Sports Tribunal, proposed in the Bill. The BCCI will have the right to amend its constitution, but the Bill caps the upper age limit of an office bearer at 70, a la the Lodha Committee recommendations.
The Bill proposes the formation of a National Sports Board that will have the authority to grant recognition to any sports organisation as an NSF. The chairperson and members of the National Sports Board will be appointed by the central government.
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