On Trackhigh confidenceSports

Expand Khelo India to improve access to sports infrastructure

Bharatiya Janata Party · Lok Sabha General Election 2024

Last updated 25 Oct 2026

What does this status mean?

Implementation is progressing towards the commitment.

Status describes delivery. Confidence describes how strong the available evidence is.

Original manifesto wording

“We will continue to expand the Khelo India network and other initiatives to nurture future athletes.”

From the Bharatiya Janata Party manifestoView Manifestop.61

Our Assessment

Established Khelo India Centres rose from 1,041 in November 2024 to 1,067 by July 2026; State Centres of Excellence rose from 32 to 35. An official March 2026 review counted 258 completed infrastructure projects, though that cumulative total includes earlier years. The expanded 2026–31 scheme is approved, while its planned new facilities remain to be delivered. With measurable post-election growth and no manifesto endpoint, the promise is On Track.

The reasoning behind the verdict

Why this assessment?

Reviewed 25 Oct 2026

01 · Delivery status

Why on track?

The exact manifesto commitment is to continue expanding Khelo India and related initiatives. Established centres grew from 1,041 in November 2024 to 1,067 by July 2026, and State Centres of Excellence from 32 to 35. Infrastructure projects approved rose from 323 to 349, while official records show existing completed facilities and athlete support. The directional promise has measurable continuing delivery, meeting the methodology’s On Track test.

The manifesto does not promise universal coverage or a numerical target. Sanctioned projects are not completed facilities, and the 258 projects recorded as completed by March 2026 are cumulative, including pre-election work. The ₹36,441-crore 2026–31 figure includes support for National Sports Federations as well as the revamped Khelo India scheme.

02 · Strength of evidence

Why high confidence?

High confidence rests on multiple Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports replies and official Khelo India reports with comparable centre counts, infrastructure approvals, completed-project status and programme budgets. District-level access and post-election completion dates remain less clear.

What would help us reassess?

The documents that could clarify delivery of this commitment.

District-wise operational status and opening dates of Khelo India Centres added after the 2024 election
Completion dates and public use of sports infrastructure projects sanctioned since 2024
Athlete participation and training by district, gender and underserved community
Actual spending and facility openings under the 2026–31 expansion

Status describes delivery. Confidence describes the evidence.

Read our methodology ↗

Khelo India network expanding100%

1national network expansioncurrent1national network expansiontarget

Sources & Evidence

government

PIB: Khelo India infrastructure project status, March 2026

static.pib.gov.in·27 Mar 2026

government

India sporting transformation with Khelo India centres and infrastructure projects

pib.gov.in·10 Jun 2025

government

Empowered youth and Khelo India network update

pib.gov.in·13 Jun 2026

government

Khelo Bharat Niti 2025: official policy objectives

pib.gov.in·28 Jul 2025

government

Union Budget 2026-27 announces Khelo India Mission

pib.gov.in·1 Feb 2026

government

Sports Ministry: two completed athlete facilities opened at Patiala

pib.gov.in·3 Feb 2026

government

PIB: July 2026 Khelo India centres, projects and scheme expansion

pib.gov.in·3 Aug 2026

government

Sports Ministry: revised National Sports Federations assistance guidelines

pib.gov.in·16 Oct 2026

government

Parliamentary reply: Khelo India centres and infrastructure baseline

pib.gov.in·28 Nov 2024

Promise Timeline

16 Oct 2026

Sports Ministry issued revised NSF assistance guidelines for coaching, competitions and planned Olympic Training Centres; this does not measure Khelo India centre expansion.

View source

3 Aug 2026

July snapshot: 1,067 centres established and 349 infrastructure projects approved.

View source

13 Jun 2026

1,067 Khelo India Centres and 35 State Centres of Excellence reported.

View source

27 Mar 2026

Official review counted 258 completed projects out of 344 sanctioned, cumulatively.

View source

3 Feb 2026

Two completed athlete support facilities opened at Patiala; six more projects began.