Why in news?
A parliamentary panel recently expressed concern that contributions to the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) have fallen sharply—from about ₹85 crore in 2023–24 to about ₹37 crore in 2025–26. The decline, mainly due to lower participation by public sector units and limited private donations, threatens the fund’s ability to support Indian athletes.
Background
The NSDF was established in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act (1890) to provide resources for promoting sports excellence in India. Managed by a Council chaired by the Union Minister responsible for youth affairs and sports, the fund supports training, international exposure, infrastructure development, sports equipment, sports science research and assistance for meritorious athletes. Members of the Council include representatives from sports federations, former athletes and donors.
Key issues and objectives
- Falling contributions: A parliamentary committee observed that contributions from public sector undertakings (PSUs) more than halved in two years. Private sector contributions remain low despite government appeals, and the fund’s corpus is shrinking.
- Call for CSR changes: The committee urged the government to amend corporate social responsibility (CSR) rules so that sports organisations and athlete training programmes are treated as eligible beneficiaries alongside other social causes.
- Purpose of the fund: The NSDF aims to help Indian athletes train at world‑class standards, construct and upgrade sports infrastructure, procure modern equipment, fund sports science research and promote international cooperation. It can also provide interest‑free or low‑interest loans for sports projects.
- Governance: The Council overseeing the NSDF includes ministers from education and youth affairs, secretaries of sports and finance ministries and distinguished sportspersons. Their role is to allocate funds judiciously and attract donations.