Sports and Culture Schemes: List of Schemes
Sports and Culture in India are supported through government schemes that promote athletes and artists. Key initiatives include the Khelo India scheme, TOPS, sports hostels, awards like Biju Patnaik Sports Award, and scholarships for young and veteran artists. These programs enhance talent, preserve heritage, improve infrastructure, and foster inclusive participation nationwide in 2025.
Muskan Verma19 Nov, 2025
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Sports and culture are very important for a country. They help bring people together and show what a nation stands for. In India, sports and culture are supported by government schemes. These programs will help the young athletes, protect traditions, and include everyone in activities. In 2025, the government is focusing more on sports and culture to build strong players and keep the India’s heritage alive.
Sports and Culture Overview
In India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will take care of sports and culture. The government runs many programs to help the young athletes, train top players, build sports facilities, and protect the cultural traditions. They will also include the local games and culture in the sports events, so everyone can join and enjoy the sports.
| Sports and Culture Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Primary Focus | Government schemes for nurturing sports, reviving traditional games, and improving access to training |
| Funding (2025) | ₹ 3,794.30 crore allocated to the Youth Affairs & Sports Ministry |
| Policy Direction | New National Sports Policy (“Khelo Bharat Niti 2025”) approved |
List of Sports and Culture Schemes
The Indian government has introduced many programs to support sports and culture. These schemes will focus on training, awards, financial support, and recognition for both the sports person and artists. Below, we’ve mentioned the list of sports and culture schemes:
| List of Sports and Culture Schemes | |
| Scheme | Description |
| Khelo India Programme | National program to identify and train young athletes, develop infrastructure, and provide scholarships. |
| Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) | Supports elite athletes preparing for international competitions. |
| Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Excellence in Coaching | Awarded to coaches in Odisha who have trained athletes achieving national and international success. |
| Pay & Play Scheme (Jharkhand) | Provides state-level players with training and practice opportunities at the Mega Sports Complex, Hotwar, Ranchi. |
| Khel Chhatravriti (Vritika) Yojana (Jharkhand) | Financial assistance to athletes based on performance to encourage sports as a career. |
| Operation of Sports Hostels (Rajasthan) | Supports tribal students from Classes 6 to 12 with accommodation, training, and nutritious meals for participation in sports. |
| Laxman Award / Rani Laxmi Bai Award (Uttar Pradesh) | Honours male and female sportspersons for outstanding achievements in the state. |
| Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists (MoC) | Provides pensions to elderly artists and scholars who have contributed significantly to their fields. |
| CMAT: Support for Purchase of Instruments/Equipment (Manipur) | Supports budding artists needing instruments for learning and performance. |
| Award of Scholarships to Young Artists (MoC) | Provides scholarships to young artists in dance, music, and other cultural fields. |
| Yuva Srujan Puraskar (Goa) | Recognizes young individuals excelling in arts and culture. |
| National Handicrafts Development Programme | Provides financial assistance to artisans in indigent circumstances. |
| Scheme of Awarding Porkizhi to Indigent Kalaimamani Artists (Tamil Nadu) | Provides ₹15,000 to awardees of Kalaimamani who are in financial need. |
| Travel Grants to Goan Authors | Allows authors to interact with other regional writers and broaden their cultural knowledge. |
| State Art Exhibition Competition (Gujarat) | Promotes fine arts and recognizes artists with awards and scholarships. |
| Bhajan Pakhawaj Workshops (Goa) | Training in traditional music for performers. |
| Sindhu Darshan Scheme (Gujarat) | Offers financial assistance to pilgrims participating in the Sindhu Darshan Yatra. |
| Kailash Darshan Yatra (Gujarat) | Financial support for pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Darshan Yatra. |
Benefits of Sports and Culture Schemes
The sports and culture schemes in India offer a wide range of benefits. Below, we’ve mentioned some of the benefits of sports and culture schemes:
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Finding and Training Talent: Programs like Khelo India spot young athletes early. They get coaching, competitions, and training. TOPS helps top athletes with money and special support to improve.
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Better Sports Facilities: Money is used to build and improve stadiums, training centers, and sports complexes across the country.
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Including Everyone: Special schemes make sure kids from remote areas and athletes with disabilities get chances to play and grow.
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Protecting Culture: The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 plan includes traditional Indian games. This helps keep old games and cultural traditions alive.
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Fair Rules and Governance: New laws make sure sports are managed fairly, transparently, and responsibly.
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Helping Society and Economy: Sports schemes encourage more people, especially from villages, to join. They promote gender equality and help athletes plan careers. Sports also connect with tourism and business, helping the country grow.
Sports and culture schemes in India will help shape the next generation of athletes, artists, and people who protect our traditions. Programs like Khelo India, Biju Patnaik Sports Award, and cultural support give training, scholarships, and financial help. These efforts will keep sports and culture alive, bring people together, and benefit communities across the country. They will help everyone to take part, get recognized, and grow in a fair and lasting way.
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