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5 August 2026

India's Olympic aspirations

The topic involves a major national policy initiative, the Khelo India Scheme, which is a flagship government program with significant budgetary allocation and clear governance implications for sports development.

1 min read Day 1 of 2 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • India aims to host the 2036 Olympics, requiring a top-10 finish, which necessitates 30-40 medals including double-digit gold.
  • India's recent Olympic performance: 48th place (7 medals) in Tokyo 2021; 71st place (6 medals) in Paris 2024.
  • Union Cabinet approved ₹29,054 crore for the new phase of the Khelo India Scheme, an eight-fold increase.
  • Total outlay for 2026-31, including assistance to National Sports Federations, is ₹36,441 crore.
  • Khelo India goals: Increase sports centres from ~1,000 to an average of 2-3 per district; expand athlete pool from 2,904 to 28,000.
  • Key initiatives: National Coach Accreditation Board, Khelo India Feeder Schools, Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalaya, and digitisation of the sports ecosystem.
  • Challenges: Effective implementation, transparency, and addressing India's status as a doping hub.
  • Strategic focus: Talent identification, bottom-to-top communication, and integrating education with sports per the National Education Policy.
  • Immediate performance test: 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.

Part of a longer story

This is day 1 of 2 in India's 2036 Olympic bid and sports development, which has been running since 5 August 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. To emerge as a global sporting power, India must transition from grassroots development to elite performance. Discuss the role of the Khelo India Scheme in bridging this gap in the context of India's 2036 Olympic aspirations. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The ambition to host the Olympic Games requires not only world-class infrastructure but also a robust, transparent, and doping-free sports ecosystem. Critically analyze the institutional challenges India faces in achieving a top-10 finish in the Olympic medal tally. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. What is the primary objective of the new phase of the Khelo India Scheme as mentioned in the context of the 2036 Olympic bid?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-05/india-s-olympic-aspirations