Khelo Bharat Niti — 2025: India's road to the 2036 Olympics

The bid to become the host of the 2036 Summer Olympic Games has been gaining momentum in India.

- DR. SUBHRAJIT CHANDA & DR. DEEVANSHU SHRIVASTAVA

It appears as more than just a quest for international recognition. Rather, a desire to make use of untapped national sporting potential is revealed by this ambition. But it is a known fact that ambition alone cannot shape legacies. The real challenge is whether foundations that are being laid by India in furtherance of this vision go beyond the development of physical infrastructure like stadiums and the outward grandeur of lucrative mega-events. It also raises another critical question: Can our present institutions support sustained sporting excellence, protect athletes' well-being and cultivate a culture of fairness, inclusion and long-term purpose?

In this backdrop, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' recently released Khelo Bharat Niti - 2025 proves to be not just a policy blueprint but also a test of the overall Olympic readiness of India. Structured around five pillars of grassroots engagement, talent identification, structured competition, sports science integration and governance reform, ambition is certainly shown by this policy in the aims it lists out. If implemented properly, a robust and inclusive Olympic ecosystem can be established through the foundations that this policy lays down. On the other hand, if reduced to a mere performative document, it is likely to go down as yet another state-sponsored vision board; one whose real-world impact will remain limited.