Union Budget 2026–27 gives major boost to sports sector, allocates ₹500 crore for sports goods manufacturing

New Delhi: The Union Budget 2026–27 has delivered a significant push to India’s sports ecosystem, with a substantial increase in budgetary support for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and a dedicated allocation aimed at strengthening sports goods manufacturing. The announcements signal the government’s intent to position sports not only as a performance-driven sector but also as a key contributor to employment generation, innovation and economic growth.

Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman announced an enhanced allocation of Rs 4,479.88 crore for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for 2026–27. This marks an increase of Rs 1,133 crore compared to the revised estimate of Rs 3,346 crore in 2025–26. The higher outlay is expected to bolster athlete development programmes, improve sports infrastructure, strengthen coaching and support systems, and integrate sports science and technology across disciplines.

A major highlight of the Budget is the allocation of Rs 500 crore for the Promotion of Sports Goods Manufacturing. The move reflects growing recognition of India’s potential to emerge as a global hub for high-quality and affordable sports equipment. Addressing Parliament, Sitharaman said the initiative would promote domestic manufacturing while encouraging research and innovation in equipment design and material sciences. Industry stakeholders believe the allocation could help modernise manufacturing clusters, enhance product quality and expand India’s footprint in global sports supply chains.

The Budget also announced the launch of the Khelo India Mission, envisioned as a comprehensive framework to transform India’s sports sector over the next decade. Building on the foundations laid by the Khelo India programme, the mission will focus on creating structured talent development pathways through foundational, intermediate and elite-level training centres. It will also prioritise systematic development of coaches and support staff, expansion of competitive leagues, and the creation of modern training and competition infrastructure across the country.

Highlighting the broader economic and social impact of sports, the Finance Minister noted that the sector offers multiple avenues for employment, skilling and job creation. “The sports sector provides multiple means of employment, skilling and job opportunities,” she said, adding that the Khelo India Mission would further strengthen the systematic nurturing of sporting talent in the country.

Emphasising the youth-centric nature of the Budget, Sitharaman said several proposals were inspired by ideas shared during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026. She described the Budget as a “Yuva Shakti-driven” roadmap that reflects the aspirations and innovative thinking of India’s young population.

The enhanced allocation to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aligns with the government’s long-term vision of positioning India among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and the top five by 2047. Officials said the increased funding would improve implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, expand youth engagement initiatives and strengthen high-performance athlete preparation.

With a clear rise in funding and a targeted push for sports goods manufacturers, the Union Budget 2026–27 reinforces the government’s commitment to building a robust, inclusive and globally competitive sports ecosystem, while unlocking new opportunities for domestic industry and employment generation.

Tags : Union Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman, Sports Goods, Finance Minister, Khelo India, Youth Affairs, Sports Ministry