Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) of the Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Sports, has introduced comprehensive reforms in the recruitment, promotion, and incentives framework for athletes. The updated guidelines, presented in a memorandum issued on March 4, are aimed at providing enhanced incentives, transparency, and inclusivity

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur announced that Khelo India medal winner athletes will now be eligible for government jobs.

He said “In keeping with our PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of a robust sports ecosystem, nurturing talent at grassroots level and turning sports into a lucrative and viable career option, Khelo India Athletes will now be eligible for government jobs”. He also added “I'm pleased to announce that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), in consultation with IndiaSports, has made 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑔𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑗𝑜𝑏𝑠!”

This groundbreaking step now extends eligibility to medal winners from the 𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀— 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀—to be eligible for government jobs. Additionally, games and events have been clearly defined to ensure inclusivity across various sports.

He added that these revised rules mark a significant stride in supporting our athletes in making Bharat a sporting superpower.

Under the revamped regulations, individuals who excel in events such as the Khelo India Youth Games (for participants aged 18 and above), Khelo India Winter Games, Khelo India Para Games, and Khelo India University Games will now qualify for government employment opportunities. Furthermore, achievers in the School Games Federation of India will also maintain their eligibility for such positions.

A notable inclusion in the updated guidelines is the establishment of clear criteria for national and international chess competitions, ensuring equitable opportunities for chess enthusiasts. Additionally, individuals who have represented the nation or a state in either international or national events, or demonstrated success in junior national tournaments, will be eligible for employment. A structured hierarchy based on sporting achievements will be adhered to for prioritizing candidates.

To streamline the process for athletes to avail benefits, the roster of authorized entities empowered to issue certificates validating the eligibility of sportspersons for recruitment has been revised. Now, Secretaries of National Sports Federations (for international events), Secretaries of State Associations (for national competitions), and Deans or Sports Officers of Universities (for inter-University tournaments), among others, will have the authority to issue such certificates.

In a significant stride, the Khelo India Games have been recognized as events of national significance, joining the ranks of other esteemed tournaments and competitions.

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