India’s journey in sports since 2014 has been a story woven with vision, exceptional execution, and an inclusive focus on empowering the country’s immense youth demographic. Supported by impactful government policies, innovative opportunities, and widespread participation, the nation has begun to rewrite its sporting narrative, making global headlines not just for cricket but across a spectrum of disciplines.
Policy Push: Laying the Foundations
The most striking change comes from government commitment. In its 2025–26 budget, India allocated a record ₹3,794 crore to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, up over 130% from ₹1,643 crore in 2014–15. These financial commitments are channeled into Central Sector Schemes, prominently the Khelo India Programme, which alone received ₹1,000 crore.
Launched in 2016–17, the Khelo India Scheme drove a mass movement, building sports infrastructure (326 projects worth ₹3,124 crore), establishing 1,045 Khelo India Centres for grassroots development, and nurturing 2,845 athletes with comprehensive support—including coaching, equipment, medical care, and stipends. The development of 34 State Centres of Excellence and the accreditation of 306 academies enabled young talent to find sustainable pathways to success.
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) complemented these strides, funding India’s elite athletes for Olympic and Paralympic Games preparations. Over 174 individual athletes (plus men’s and women’s hockey teams) form the core group, with stipends up to ₹50,000/month for senior athletes and ₹25,000/month for juniors, empowering medal ambitions.
The FIT India Movement further expanded the focus from elite competitions to broader fitness, driving behavioral change towards active lifestyles through national carnivals, plog runs, and family health sessions.
The transformation is most visible in its ability to identify and nurture talent. The KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) programme introduced nationwide Talent Assessment Centres, high-tech protocols, and transparent, merit-based selections for children aged 9 to 18. As of 2025, 174 TACs operate nationwide, with the ambitious goal to make India a top-10 sporting nation by 2036.
Annual events—the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), University Games, Para Games, and Winter Games—act as feeders, with over 50,000 athletes participating in 17 editions, reflecting a vibrant new sporting culture.
Olympics and Paralympics: Breaking New Ground
India’s Olympic journey evolved dramatically in three cycles:
| Year | Host City | Athletes | Medals Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Rio | 117 | 2 |
| 2020 | Tokyo | 119 | 7 |
| 2024 | Paris | 117 | 6 |
Neeraj Chopra’s historic javelin gold at Tokyo 2020 and silver in Paris 2024, Mirabai Chanu’s consecutive weightlifting medals, and shooters Manu Bhaker and Avani Lekhara’s multiple medals highlight a generation raised with new training philosophies and support.
Paralympic performances rose exponentially, from 4 medals in Rio 2016, to 19 in Tokyo 2020, and a record 29 at Paris 2024—featuring seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes. India’s para-athletes, such as Lekhara, Sumit Antil, and Pramod Bhagat, have become icons, buoyed by inclusion in schemes like TOPS and Khelo India Para Games.
Continental Success: Asian and Commonwealth Games
Indian athletes have risen in medal tallies and participation:
- Asian Games: From 57 medals (541 athletes, Incheon 2014) to 107 medals (655 athletes, Hangzhou 2023), including 28 golds—the largest contingent ever.
- Commonwealth Games: Medal consistency marked the period, with 64 medals (215 athletes, Glasgow 2014), 66 medals (218 athletes, Gold Coast 2018), and 61 medals (210 athletes, Birmingham 2022).
Budding sports such as badminton, wrestling, and table tennis saw breakthrough performances—PV Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain, Vinesh Phogat, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty among the new torchbearers.
New Frontiers and Iconic Achievements
Beyond classic Olympic sports, India carved its mark in chess, athletics, and global events:
- The 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad saw India win double gold (men’s and women’s teams), with prodigy D Gukesh crowned the youngest world chess champion ever later that year.
- Neeraj Chopra became one of just 27 athletes to cross the 90m javelin mark (Doha Diamond League, May 2025)—a historic milestone.
- The Indian Badminton Team won the prestigious Thomas Cup in 2022—its first-ever.
- India dominated shooting, winning 34 medals at the ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Championship 2022 (Egypt).
- The women’s football team qualified for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup on merit—their first since 2003—a leap for gender representation in Indian sport.
Recognizing regional imbalances, the government invested a special package of ₹200 crore for Jammu & Kashmir’s sports infrastructure, ensuring inclusive growth and access. Public-private initiatives under the new Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 aim to further expand sports tourism, startups, and economic growth, positioning sport as an economic driver.
Annual National Sports Awards continue to celebrate achievement, foster sportsmanship, and motivate future athletes. Massive youth organizations like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (623 district centers) catalyze holistic development, supporting initiatives ranging from skill-building to disaster relief.
The Road Ahead
India’s sporting transformation can be attributed to the convergence of grassroots identification, targeted funding, world-class infrastructure, and athlete-centric support systems. The ripple effect is visible in international medal tallies and, crucially, in the growing sports culture domestically. The country’s roadmap toward the 2036 Olympics and beyond is ambitious, aiming for a top-10 spot globally by 2036 and top-5 by 2047.
While challenges remain—disparity in sports other than cricket, regional gaps, and administrative hurdles, the foundation laid this decade augurs well for future generations.
India’s narrative has shifted: from sporadic brilliance and missed opportunities to a consistent, sustainable model of sporting excellence. With continued investment, broadening participation, and a supportive ecosystem, India is visibly and irreversibly on the rise in global sports.
