IndiaPosted at: Oct 28 2026 4:39PM


Cabinet clears Rs 1,857-cr scheme to make India a global sports goods manufacturing hub

New Delhi, Oct 28 (UNI) The union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,856.67 crore for the period from 2026 to 2033-34, aiming to transform India into a globally competitive hub for sports goods manufacturing, attract domestic and foreign investment, reduce import dependence and boost exports and employment.
Announcing the decision after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the scheme would promote investment, manufacturing, innovation and exports while strengthening India's position in the global sports goods industry. Announced in the union Budget 2026-27, the initiative seeks to expand domestic production, increase value addition and generate employment across the manufacturing and supply chain.
Aligned with Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the scheme aims to establish India as a major centre for the design, development and manufacture of high-quality sports goods. It will support investment promotion, technology adoption, research and development, skill development, quality certification and access to international markets.
A major feature of the initiative is the development of dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones, bringing manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities, design and prototyping centres and ancillary enterprises together in integrated industrial clusters. These zones will be developed by leveraging existing industrial infrastructure under the BHAVYA Scheme and industrial parks of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation. The government expects the cluster-based approach to improve efficiency, strengthen supply-chain linkages and encourage investment across the industry.
To expand manufacturing capacity, the scheme provides for Anchor Investment Support to encourage leading Indian and international manufacturers, brands and retail chains to establish production facilities in designated zones. A Turnover Linked Support component will incentivise higher output, capacity expansion and sustained growth. The two components together have an allocation of Rs 1,130 crore and are expected to attract private investment, create jobs, strengthen domestic supplier networks and improve India's competitiveness in global markets.
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which form an important part of the domestic sports goods industry, will receive support through the modernisation of existing manufacturing clusters and the creation of common facilities and shared infrastructure. These measures are intended to help smaller enterprises improve productivity, upgrade product quality and compete more effectively with larger domestic and international manufacturers.
Recognising that internationally recognised quality standards are essential for accessing overseas markets, the government has earmarked Rs 105 crore to help manufacturers obtain and renew certifications from international sports federations. The assistance is expected to improve the quality and performance of Indian-made sports equipment, facilitate exports and strengthen confidence among international buyers.
Research, technology and innovation will form another key pillar of the scheme. Centres of Excellence will be established in leading educational and research institutions to promote work on sports equipment, material sciences, protective gear and advanced manufacturing technologies. Research and development will also be encouraged through convergence with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. Start-ups will receive dedicated support under the broader Startup India framework to develop, test, validate and commercialise new products, technologies and manufacturing processes.
The scheme also seeks to address the industry's demand for a skilled workforce. Skill development programmes will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and industry stakeholders, with training tailored to manufacturers' requirements and emerging technologies. The government expects the initiative to create employment opportunities while improving the technical capabilities of workers across the production chain.
To strengthen India's international presence, the scheme will promote branding, outreach and market development, leveraging the Export Promotion Mission to improve the visibility of Indian sports goods and facilitate access to overseas markets. These measures are intended to help manufacturers diversify export destinations, expand their customer base and secure a stronger position in global supply chains.
The initiative is also expected to complement India's broader sporting ambitions by improving the availability of high-quality, internationally certified equipment for athletes and sports development programmes. Greater domestic manufacturing capacity and innovation could help meet the needs of programmes such as Khelo India and Fit India while supporting the country's expanding sporting ecosystem.
Through a combination of investment incentives, industrial clusters, MSME support, research funding, certification assistance, workforce training and export promotion, the scheme seeks to address key constraints facing the domestic sports goods industry. Its implementation through 2033-34 is intended to provide a sustained framework for capacity creation, technology development and long-term investment.
The government expects the initiative to strengthen self-reliance in sports goods, generate industrial growth and employment, and increase India's share of international markets. The broader objective is to build a globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem that supports the country's sporting ambitions and contributes to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047. UNI SKA AAB
Tags: #Cabinet clears Rs 1#857-cr scheme to make India a global sports goods manufacturing hub
More News

Delhi traders urge Sonia Gandhi to defer November 1 rally, flag Rs 12,000 crore business disruption

30 Oct 2026 | 7:44 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to intervene and postpone the INDIA bloc's November 1 mega rally at Ramlila Maidan, warning that it could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across Delhi's major markets during the peak Diwali shopping season.

see more..

Joshimath Chopper crash: No rebel attack, no Army general’s family on board: Army tears into fake claims

30 Oct 2026 | 7:27 PM

Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Indian Army has exposed a misinformation campaign being circulated by Pakistan-based social media accounts, which attempted to exploit the fatal helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand by falsely portraying it as a rebel attack on an aircraft carrying the family of Lieutenant General Sanjay Mitra, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command.

see more..

UP CM Yogi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw to flag off new Vande Bharat Sleeper Train connecting Varanasi to New Delhi tomorrow

30 Oct 2026 | 7:26 PM

Varanasi/New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Indian Railways is set to expand its network of modern overnight rail services with the introduction of a new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express train service connecting Varanasi with New Delhi from tomorrow.

see more..

Delhi sees heaviest October rainfall in years, mercury drops 4 7 degrees

30 Oct 2026 | 7:20 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Delhi witnessed a sharp fall in temperature, with the maximum mercury dropping by 4.7 degrees Celsius in the past 24 hours, as heavy rainfall lashed several parts of the national capital, with Safdarjung recording 61.4 mm of rain, the highest among the city's key weather stations, during the 24-hour period ending on Friday morning.

see more..

Decisions on land, housing & infra should be guided by public interest, fairness & transparency: Delhi LG

30 Oct 2026 | 7:19 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Sandhu has emphasized that urban planning is fundamentally about improving the way people live, and that the quality of a city is reflected in the ease with which its residents can access housing, travel to work, use public spaces and obtain essential services. .

see more..