Kalyan Chaubey to remain AIFF President until 2027 with NSF elections postponed

A news that will have a seismic response from the Indian football community.

Kalyan Chaubey will continue as president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) until at least the end of 2027. The decision comes following the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announcing the deferring of elections of all National Sports Federations as part of a transitional shift to the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

The ministry, in an official communication addressed to the Indian Olympic Association and all recognized National Sports Federations, announced that upcoming NSF elections scheduled in 2025 and 2026 may be deferred until December 31, 2026. Chaubey will remain at the helm as the decision allows existing office-bearers to continue in their roles during the transition period, subject to approval by their respective general bodies.

AIFF’s Kalyan Chaubey to continue past 2026

The deferment follows the assent of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, by the President of India on August 18. The Act introduces a comprehensive framework aimed at transparent, accountable and athlete-centric governance, requiring federations to undertake significant statutory, structural and procedural reforms before conducting elections under the new system.

As a result, Chaubey, who was elected AIFF president in September 2022 for a four-year term, will remain in office beyond his original tenure, which was set to conclude in 2026. With the extended transition window, the AIFF leadership is now expected to continue until elections are conducted under the new law, effectively pushing the timeline into 2027.

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The extension aimed at providing time to AIFF

The ministry said the deferment was necessary to provide federations adequate time to align their constitutions and bye-laws with the provisions of the new Act, establish robust electoral mechanisms and ensure compliance with revised eligibility and governance norms. During this extended period, incumbent executive committees will continue to discharge their duties as prescribed under existing bye-laws and the prevailing sports code.

The letter emphasized that the extension is a one-time measure solely intended to facilitate a smooth transition to the new governance framework. It added that federations must use the additional time to prepare for reforms rather than delay implementation.

Is it good news for Indian football?

For the AIFF, the decision brings continuity at a time when Indian football is navigating through muddy waters, challenges in getting domestic football for the men underway and national team planning across multiple age groups. Chaubey’s tenure has coincided with a lot of controversy and backlash from fans of both ISL clubs and Indian national football team amid recent events and developments.

However, the extension also places increased responsibility and pressure on the current leadership to ensure compliance with the new governance law within the stipulated timeframe and getting Indian football back on track.

The AIFF will be expected to update its constitution, electoral college structure and internal regulations to meet the standards set out in the National Sports Governance Act before fresh elections are held.

With elections deferred across the sports ecosystem, Chaubey’s continued presidency at the helm of AIFF will unnerve some of his critics.

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