- Why in news
- On 28 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of Rs.1,856.67 crore for 2026 to 2033-34.
- What it is
- The Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme was announced in Union Budget 2026-27. It supports cluster-based manufacturing, investment, certification, research, skills and exports in the sports goods sector. It aims to cut import dependence and make Indian sports goods globally competitive.
- Outlay and period
- Total outlay is Rs.1,856.67 crore for 2026 to 2033-34.
- Manufacturing zones
- Dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones will be set up, converging with BHAVYA and NICDC Industrial Parks.
- Investment components
- Anchor Investment Support and Turnover Linked Support have a combined outlay of Rs.1,130 crore.
- Certification support
- Rs.105 crore is set aside to help manufacturers obtain and renew International Sports Federation certifications.
- Research link
- R&D is to converge with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, with Centres of Excellence in premier institutions.
- Export link
- Market development will leverage the Export Promotion Mission.
Don’t confuse with Khelo India Scheme vs this scheme: Khelo India promotes sports participation and infrastructure; this scheme supports manufacturing of sports goods.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Cuts import dependence and builds a manufacturing base, supporting Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Cluster support for MSMEs can raise employment and exports.
Problems
- Competing with established exporters on cost and quality.
- Ensuring MSMEs, not just large anchor investors, benefit.
Way forward
- Link zones to skilling and testing facilities so quality improves.
- Monitor outcomes such as exports and jobs through the scheme period.
Put in your answer
Scheme outlay: Rs.1,856.67 crore for 2026 to 2033-34 to build a sports goods manufacturing ecosystem.
- 2019Mains GS1 · Q6Can regional resource-based manufacturing strategy promote employment in India?
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q12Discuss rationale, achievements, and improvements of the PLI scheme
- 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Comment on government policies boosting manufacturing share and MSMEs in GDP
- 2023Prelims Q88Statements on India's export share and PLI scheme beneficiaries; identify correct explanation
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2026:
Which one of the following statements is correct?
True or false?
1 of 5
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.1,856.67 crore for the period 2026 to 2033-34.
True. Outlay is Rs.1,856.67 crore for 2026 to 2033-34.
2.Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones are to be developed through convergence with the BHAVYA Scheme and NICDC Industrial Parks.
True. Zones converge with BHAVYA and NICDC Industrial Parks.
3.The scheme supports manufacturers in obtaining and renewing certifications from International Sports Federations.
True. Rs.105 crore is for certification from International Sports Federations.
4.Research and development under the scheme is to be encouraged through convergence with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
True. R&D converges with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
5.The scheme's export promotion efforts leverage the Export Promotion Mission.
True. Market development leverages the Export Promotion Mission.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.