India has long been a nation that loves to play but buys much of its sporting gear from abroad. The Centre now wants to change that. On Wednesday, October 28, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 1,856.67 crore for the period from 2026 to 2033-34. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision after the Cabinet meeting, saying the scheme would "promote investment, manufacturing, innovation and exports."
Background: from Budget promise to Cabinet approval
The scheme was first announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. Its stated aim is to strengthen India's place in global sports goods manufacturing and supply chains, cut import dependence, attract domestic and foreign investment, and create jobs. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya summed up the idea in a short line: "India Plays, India Manufactures!" He said the scheme would empower young people through new employment and drive investment in the sector.
The timing is significant. India is preparing to host a growing calendar of international events, and the government has been talking up a bid for the 2036 Olympics. A domestic industry that can supply certified, world-class equipment fits neatly into that larger sporting ambition.
What the scheme offers
Rather than a single subsidy, the plan is a package of supports aimed at different stages of the manufacturing chain.
| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| Total outlay | Rs 1,856.67 crore (2026 to 2033-34) |
| Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs) | Cluster-based hubs where makers, suppliers, testing, design and prototyping units sit together |
| Turnover Linked Support | Rewards higher production and capacity expansion; with SGMZs, about Rs 1,130 crore |
| International certification support | Rs 105 crore to help firms get and renew International Sports Federation certifications |
| MSME cluster assistance | Common facilities and shared infrastructure for small manufacturers |
| Centres of Excellence | In premier institutions, covering sports equipment, materials, protective gear and advanced manufacturing |
| Research link | Convergence with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation |
The manufacturing zones will be developed by converging with the BHAVYA scheme and industrial parks of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC). That means the government will try to use land and infrastructure already planned under these programmes instead of building everything from scratch.
Why certification is a big deal
One of the less glamorous parts of the scheme may turn out to be the most useful. At the elite level, balls, rackets, shuttlecocks and protective gear must carry approval from the relevant international federation before they can be used in official competitions. Getting and renewing those certifications is expensive and time-consuming, especially for smaller firms. The Rs 105 crore set aside for this purpose could help Indian brands move from selling practice equipment to supplying tournament-grade gear.
What it means for India
India already has well-known sports goods clusters that make cricket bats, balls, hockey sticks and fitness equipment, many of them run by small family businesses. For these units, shared testing labs, design support and easier access to export markets could be a turning point. For young engineers and designers, the Centres of Excellence open a new field that blends materials science with sport.
For ordinary buyers, a stronger home industry could eventually mean better-quality gear at more affordable prices, and more Indian brands on the shelves of sports shops.
Who stands to benefit
The design of the scheme suggests three groups will gain the most. First, established manufacturers that want to scale up and export, through turnover-linked support. Second, small units in traditional clusters, through shared facilities that they could never afford alone. Third, researchers and startups working on new materials, smart equipment and protective gear, through the Centres of Excellence and the link with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. States that offer ready land and infrastructure are also likely to compete to host the first manufacturing zones.
What happens next
The Sports Ministry is expected to release operational guidelines, including how states can propose manufacturing zones and how companies can apply for turnover-linked support. Industry bodies will be watching to see which regions are picked first and how fast the first zones get off the ground. With the scheme running until 2033-34, the real measure of success will be whether India's share of global sports goods exports rises in a visible way over the next few years.
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