India is working toward becoming one of the world’s top 10 sporting nations by 2036, according to Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Speaking in Hyderabad, he said the central government has prepared a plan aimed at lifting the country’s overall sporting standards over the next decade.
The long-term target goes further, with India also aiming to enter the top five in global sports rankings by 2047. The announcement highlights a broader national push to strengthen the sports ecosystem through sustained planning, wider participation and better support for athletes.
A key part of that effort is the Khelo India programme, which has already helped establish more than 1,000 sports training centres across the country. The expansion is intended to improve access to coaching and facilities at the grassroots level, helping identify and develop talent earlier.
The government has also increased budgetary support for sports in the Union Budget, signaling continued investment in infrastructure and athlete development. Together, the targets, training network and higher funding point to a longer-term strategy to improve India’s standing in international sport.
