One of the most notable features of the National Sports Governance Rules, 2026 is the mandatory inclusion of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) in the General Bodies of National Sports Bodies. As per the Rules, at least four SOMs must be included in the General Body of every NSB.
To ensure gender equity, the Rules explicitly mandate that fifty per cent of these SOM representatives must be women. This provision seeks to strengthen the voice of women athletes in sports administration and align governance structures with principles of equality and fairness.
Women’s Presence in Executive Committees
In line with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the Rules also reinforce the requirement of women’s representation in the Executive Committees of National Sports Bodies. Every NSB is required to ensure the presence of at least four women members in its Executive Committee.
To achieve this, the Rules allow National Sports Bodies to reserve specific posts for women in their Executive Committees through amendments in their bye-laws. This move is expected to address long-standing gender imbalances in sports administration.
Eligibility and Tiered Criteria for SOMs
The Rules prescribe clear eligibility conditions for sportspersons seeking recognition as Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit. Applicants must be at least 25 years old, retired from active sports, and should not have participated in any competitive sporting event leading to district, state, or national selection for at least one year prior to application.
A detailed tiered system comprising ten distinct tiers has been introduced to classify SOMs based on sporting achievements. The tiers range from Olympic, Paralympic, and Winter Olympic medalists at the highest level to medal winners at National Games or National Championships.
This tiered framework has been deliberately kept broad to accommodate the diverse nature of sports disciplines in India and to ensure fair representation across different sporting ecosystems.
Transparent Elections and Disqualification Norms
The Rules lay down a comprehensive, time-bound election process for Executive Committees, covering every stage from submission of SOM applications to the release of final electoral rolls and invitation of nominations.
They also clearly specify disqualification criteria for members of the General Body, Executive Committee, and Athletes Committee. Individuals convicted by a court of law and sentenced to imprisonment are barred from contesting elections or holding positions in any committee of a National Sports Body.
National Sports Election Panel and Compliance Timeline
To ensure impartiality in elections, the Rules provide for a National Sports Election Panel, which must have a minimum of twenty qualified members at all times. Electoral officers will be selected from this panel, with their fees capped at Rs. 5 lakh, along with a mutually agreed fee for assistants, if any.
All National Sports Bodies are required to amend their bye-laws in conformity with the Act and Rules within six months. The Central Government, however, retains the power to grant relaxation from the Rules for up to twelve months, based on recorded reasons.
According to official sources, the notification of these Rules represents a decisive move towards clean, transparent, and athlete-driven sports governance in India.