Khelo India Sports Scholarship Overview
The Khelo India Sports Scholarship is the central government's flagship program to support young athletes with structured financial assistance for training, diet, equipment and competition exposure. For 2026 the annual financial support has been raised to Rs 6.28 lakh per athlete, making it one of the most generous sports scholarships in the country.
Eligibility for Khelo India Scholarship
- Age group: Young athletes typically in the 13-21 age bracket, depending on the sport and category.
- Performance: Candidates are identified through Khelo India Games, state-level competitions and talent identification programs.
- Training commitment: Selected athletes must continue structured training under recognised coaches and academies.
- Residency: Indian citizens training within the country are eligible; the selection is merit-based.
Financial Support Details
Selected athletes receive an annual scholarship of Rs 6.28 lakh to cover training expenses, sports equipment, nutrition, insurance and competition travel. The amount is released in instalments and monitored for utilisation towards the athlete's development as per the official sports ministry guidelines.
Sports Covered Under the Program
- Olympic disciplines: Athletics, boxing, wrestling, badminton, shooting, hockey, weightlifting and other Olympic sports.
- Indigenous games: Kabaddi, kho-kho, yoga and other traditional sports promoted under Khelo India.
- Paralympic sports: Events for para-athletes included in the Khelo India para sports framework.
How Athletes Are Selected
- Athletes participate in Khelo India Youth Games, University Games or recognised state and national championships.
- Talent scouts and state sports departments shortlist performers against sport-specific benchmarks.
- Shortlisted athletes are onboarded into Khelo India accredited academies with dedicated coaches.
- Selected athletes sign a scholarship agreement and begin receiving financial support.
Documents and Process
- Identification documents (Aadhaar, age proof)
- Competition results and certificates
- Bank account details for scholarship transfer
- Training schedule from the recognised academy or coach
Why Apply in 2026
With the scholarship amount increased to Rs 6.28 lakh, the Khelo India program now covers the full cost of serious athletic development. Young athletes with district or state-level results should stay active in recognised competitions because selection flows through performance, not direct application, as per the sports ministry's official process.