Parliament passes twin bills to reform sports administration and anti-doping, setting stage for India’s 2036 Olympic dream

On Tuesday, the Rajya Sabha passed two significant bills, the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025. These laws mark an important step in India’s effort to improve sports administration and increase its chances of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.Both bills had already been approved by the Lok Sabha and were introduced by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. He described the bills as transformative measures designed to promote ethical governance, support athletes, and ensure accountability across India’s sports organisations.

The House session saw a brief disruption when Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge tried to raise concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls. However, the Chair, Sasmit Patra, removed these remarks after intervention from Leader of the House J.P. Nadda, as they were not related to the bills being discussed. This led to an Opposition walkout.

One of the most memorable speeches came from Olympian P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association. She spoke emotionally about missing a bronze medal by just one-hundredth of a second at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She said, “My heart broke not for myself, but for an entire generation of Indian athletes who had the strength and courage, but not the system.” She added, “This Bill is not just about governance, it is about justice and fair play.”

Other members, including Prafull Patel of the NCP, praised the bills for giving athletes a stronger voice and creating a tribunal to resolve disputes quickly. Patel noted that many sports federations are involved in legal battles, which delay decisions. The new tribunal would help change this and also ensure women’s representation in sports bodies.

Support came from various parties, including Ayodhya Rama Reddy Alla of the YSR Congress Party, who welcomed the unified framework for sports federations. Several BJP members and representatives from other regional parties also spoke in favour.The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill aims to bring India’s anti-doping rules in line with global standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The amendment strengthens the independence of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), removing government interference and oversight from the National Anti-Doping Board.The National Sports Governance Bill creates a clear legal framework to promote sports with principles of fairness, transparency, and international best practices. It aligns with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters and sets up a National Sports Board to regulate sports federations. The Board can de-recognise federations guilty of election irregularities, financial issues, or failure to publish accounts.Importantly, the Bill establishes a National Sports Tribunal chaired by a sitting or former Supreme Court judge. This tribunal will handle disputes related to athlete selection, federation governance, and elections. Its decisions can only be appealed in the Supreme Court, giving athletes a quicker and more focused way to seek justice.

With the passing of both Bills, India is moving forward to build a sports system that is transparent, accountable, and globally competitive. The new laws promise not only sporting success but also dignity, fairness, and institutional support for every athlete.

After Minister Mandaviya proposed the Bills, Surendra Singh Nagar considered the proposal, and both Bills were passed without opposition in a voice vote.

Inputs from agencies