Lok Sabha passes National Sports Governance Bill and Anti-Doping Bill in 'biggest reform since independence'

India Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 in Parliament.

The Lok Sabha on Monday, August 11, passed the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025, to what Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described as “the single biggest reform in sports since independence.”

“This bill will ensure accountability, justice, and the best governance in sports federations,” Mandaviya said in the Parliament while presenting the laws.

The bills were passed amid noisy protests from the opposition, which was demonstrating against the Election Commission over an alleged false voters’ controversy. Majority of the opposition leaders were absent in the house.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 comes just a week after the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) released its 2024 report showing 260 positive doping cases — reportedly the highest annual figure ever recorded in India.

The amendment grants greater “operational independence” to NADA in line with the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“In 10 years, we have to reach the top 10 in sports in the world, and the top five by 2047,” said Mandaviya as quoted by the Indian Express. He also pointed out that 65% of India’s population is under 35. “The youth need to be trained and encouraged to win medals for the country.”

“Efforts have been made since 1975 and in 1985, we had the first draft. But sports was also politicised for personal gains. Some ministers made efforts to bring this bill but could not move forward.”

Also Read: BCCI escapes RTI ambit in National Sports Governance Bill 2025 after amendments: Report

On the other hand, the National Sports Governance Bill aims to bring transparency and global-standard administration to Indian sports bodies, bolstering the India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

The Sports Federations lack transparency. Our female athletes should get a chance transparently to take part in sports. We need women members in the sports federations,” he added.

Despite India’s population of over a billion, the country has yet to touch a double-digit medal tally at the Olympic Games. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya says that’s exactly what he wants to change.

“The National Sports Governance Bill is a force of change. Despite being such a large country, our performance at the Olympics and on the international stage has not been satisfactory. This Bill aims to build India’s sporting capacity,” he said.

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