The Lok Sabha passed two landmark bills on Monday – the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill, 2025. Without the presence of opposition, such as opposition protests, largely about the electoral roll revision in Bihar. While the Rajya Sabha followed it up the next day on August 12, clearing both bills and moving closer to becoming law.
On August 11, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya proposed the two landmark bills National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill, 2025. Which got passed without applying any voice of Opposition. Amid opposition protests against the SIR electoral roll revisions in Bihar. The next day, the Rajya Sabha followed up, cleared both bills and moved them closer to becoming law.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hailed these as the “Single biggest sports reforms since Independence” aimed at boosting transparency, accountability, and professionalism in Indian sports, aligning with India’s Olympic aspirations. The bills are positioned as part of India’s broader vision to bid for hosting in the 2036 Olympics.
A National Sports Tribunal (NSB) will be formed to be empowered to recognise federations, manage affiliations, probe misconduct, and de-recognise faulty bodies. A National Sports Tribunal, which is said to be headed by a current or former SC/HC judge, handles disputes with powers.
| Brought under the NSF governance net | ||
| Aspect | Sports Code, 2011 | Sports Governance Bill, 2025 |
| Legal Status | Executive guideline | Statutory legislation |
| Enforceability | Non-binding; | Legally enforceable via tribunals |
| Representation | No mandatory gender/athlete quota | Mandatory 4 women & 2 elite athletes |
| BCCI Regulation | Operated outside its purview | Handled by the Ministry |
| Dispute Resolution | No dedicated mechanism | National Sports Tribunal set up |
| Election Monitoring | Handled by Ministry | Independent National Sports Election Panel |
The Anti-Doping reforms align with WADA and UNESCO standards; the amendments modernise the 2022 Act. The Autonomy of NADA is the main focus point as the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will be Independent, which is overseen by the National Board.
Now the framework will be under the central government’s jurisdiction, with limited recourse to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). While Mandatory use of WADA-accredited labs and direct adoption of WADA into law will be the new Testing standards.
IOA President PT Usha said the bill will end years of stagnation and bring justice and fair play to the Indian Sports Administration. Congress raised concerns as Jairam Ramesh criticised the bill, prompting extreme centralisation, and flagged concerns about BCCI’s exemption from RTI due to its non-receipt of direct government funding.
These are the first comprehensive laws regulating sports governance and anti-doping in India, marked as a shift from reliance on the 2011 code and court orders. These are said to have implications for India’s Olympic ambitions, as these laws create a credible foundation for future bids.
