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ActiveCentral Sector SchemeLaunched January 2018Verified: 2026-10-12

Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship

Annual scholarship of ₹6.28 Lakh (₹1.2 Lakh out-of-pocket DBT + ₹5.08 Lakh academy training) for 8 years for talented child athletes.

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Official Nodal Portal:kheloindia.gov.in

Quick Eligibility Snapshot

👤 Age 10–21 yrs💰 No income ceiling⚖ All genders🏛 All categories📍 All India
Government Levelcentral Government
Administering BodyMinistry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Beneficiary Sector
Applicable Jurisdiction

₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown

Comprehensive financial support of ₹6,28,000 per athlete per annum for up to 8 years (including ₹10,000 per month out-of-pocket cash allowance directly to athlete bank account, and ₹5,08,000 covering elite coaching, lodging, food, and sports gear in SAI academies).

📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach

Fiscal Budget Allocation

₹1,000 Crore annual Khelo India flagship sports scheme outlay

Official Budget Document ↗
Verified Beneficiary Reach

Over 2,800 elite junior athletes supported across 21 sports disciplines

As of: 2026-01-20PIB / Official Citation ↗

Verified Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirement:10 to 21 years
Annual Family Income Ceiling:No gross income ceiling specified
Target Occupations:student athlete, junior sportsperson
Eligible Gender:all
Social Category / Reservation:all
Specific Operational Conditions & Exclusions:

Junior athletes aged 10-21 scouted and selected by the Talent Identification and Development Committee of SAI.

📄

Required Documents Checklist

Verify readiness before applying for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship. Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.

Mandatory Documents(3)

Check off as ready
💡

Keep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.

🛡️Civic Research Desk • Rejection Prevention

Worried About Application Rejection for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship?

Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.

  • ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
  • ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
  • ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
  • ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
Civic Research Fee:₹49One-time
Get Scheme Blueprint (₹49)→

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Application Effort & Process Friction

Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.

Moderate Process (2/10)
•100% digital online application process
•3 mandatory supporting documents required

Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.

How to Apply

🛡️
Government Application Safety Advisory:Application for this welfare program is processed exclusively on official government infrastructure (kheloindia.gov.in). Never pay registration charges or advance processing fees to unauthorized third-party agents. Central and State welfare scheme applications do not require paying private intermediaries.
  1. 1

    Participate in Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, or National Championships.

  2. 2

    Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC) scouts and tests promising athletes.

  3. 3

    Induction into Khelo India Accredited Academy with direct monthly DBT stipend credit.

✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist

✓Ensure Aadhaar is linked with active mobile number
✓Bank account is NPCI-mapped (Aadhaar-seeded) for DBT
✓Check if you already receive a similar Central scheme benefit
✓Keep documents ready: income/caste/domicile certificates as applicable

⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These

Doping violation, age fraud, or failing minimum physical/skill fitness benchmarks.

Official Government Application Portal

You will be redirected to the secure official portal: kheloindia.gov.in

Apply on official government website
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Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)

Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.

How long does the financial assistance continue?

The scholarship is provided for up to 8 years, subject to annual fitness and performance reviews.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Who is eligible to apply for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship?

Eligible applicants must satisfy official government criteria for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship. Age: min 10 max 21 years. Conditions: Junior athletes aged 10-21 scouted and selected by the Talent Identification and Development Committee of SAI..

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

What are the key benefits provided under Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship?

Under official guidelines for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship, beneficiaries are entitled to: Comprehensive financial support of ₹6,28,000 per athlete per annum for up to 8 years (including ₹10,000 per month out-of-pocket cash allowance directly to athlete bank account, and ₹5,08,000 covering elite coaching, lodging, food, and sports gear in SAI academies).

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

How do I apply for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship? What is the official process?

To apply for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship, applicants should follow the official procedure: 1. Participate in Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, or National Championships. 2. Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC) scouts and tests promising athletes. 3. Induction into Khelo India Accredited Academy with direct monthly DBT stipend credit.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Can I track my Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship application status?

Application status for Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship can typically be tracked through the official portal at kheloindia.gov.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).

What should I do if my Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship payment is delayed or rejected?

First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.

Is there an income tax implication for receiving Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship benefits?

Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.

Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings

Doping violation, age fraud, or failing minimum physical/skill fitness benchmarks.

Editorial Verification & Change Log

Scheme verification and change history
DateFieldDescription / UpdateSource Citation
2026-10-18scheme_typecsOfficial Source ↗
2026-09-26initial_verificationBaseline verification of Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship guidelines, benefits, and portal integration.Official Source ↗

⚖Compare with Similar Schemes

Side-by-side eligibility, benefit, and effort comparison:

Application Window & Deadlines

Continuous talent scouting at national and state sports meets

Scheme Intelligence

How is this calculated? ↗
Data ConfidenceFully Verified (100%)

Verified 7d ago from .gov.in source

Access FrictionModerate Process

Requires documentation or office visit

How to Apply🏢In-Person / Office
Scale & Impact
👥Over 2,800 elite junior athletes supported across 21 sports disciplines (as of 2026-01-20)
₹₹1,000 Crore annual Khelo India flagship sports scheme outlay budget allocation
📅Running since 2018
🔄2 verified updates — actively maintained

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Skill certification and vocational training scheme under MSDE offering free industry-relevant job-role training, NSQF certification, and placement support.

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN / Mid-Day Meal Scheme)

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Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students (Classes IX & X)

Centrally sponsored academic scholarship providing ₹3,500 to ₹7,000 annual financial support to Scheduled Caste students in Class IX and X.

📅Scheme Milestone Timeline

2026-10-18scheme_type

cs

Official Source ↗
2026-09-26initial_verification

Baseline verification of Khelo India National Sports Talent Search Scholarship g...

Official Source ↗
⚡

Schemes You Can Stack With This

Complementary programs with non-conflicting eligibility that you can claim concurrently:

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)₹6,000 (annual)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U / Housing for All)₹2,50,000 (one-time)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G)₹1,20,000 (one-time)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)₹5,00,000 (annual)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match

Official Helpline & Nodal Offices

Khelo India Mission Directorate, Sports Authority of India

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003

Helpline: 011-24364243

Jurisdiction: Central (All India)

Notice a Discrepancy?

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Verification Metadata

Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-10-12 against official government documentation.

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