In a significant shake-up to India’s sports governance landscape, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to be officially brought under the purview of the National Sports Governance Bill. According to a report by PTI, the Bill—tabled by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya—is scheduled to be introduced in Parliament on Wednesday. It aims to create a uniform, legally binding framework for all National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the BCCI.
The development marks a turning point for the world’s richest cricket board, which has long operated independently and without direct government oversight, largely due to its financial self-sufficiency.
BCCI’s legal recognition as an NSF
While the BCCI has historically functioned without formal recognition as a National Sports Federation, the new Bill will change that status permanently. By being included under the legislation, the BCCI will now be considered an NSF by default, making it subject to all rules and directives of the Sports Ministry.
“Like all National Sports federations (NSFs), the BCCI will have to comply with the law of the land once this Bill becomes an Act. They don’t take ministry funding but an Act of Parliament applies to them,” said a top Sports Ministry source, as quoted by PTI.
Despite its inclusion, the BCCI will retain its autonomy in day-to-day operations. However, under the Bill, it will be bound to resolve any internal disputes through the newly formed National Sports Tribunal.
“They will remain an autonomous body like all other NSFs but their disputes, if any, will also come to the proposed National Sports Tribunal which will become the dispute resolution body for sports matter ranging from elections to selection,” the same official told PTI.
Tribunal to streamline sports disputes
The creation of the National Sports Tribunal is central to the Bill’s broader goal of overhauling India’s sports governance framework. This tribunal will act as the final body for resolving disputes related to everything from athlete selection to election irregularities.
“The National Sports Tribunal will ensure that there is no career damage to athletes due to delayed court cases. Even now 350 different court cases are in progress where the ministry is a party, this needs to end,” said the ministry source.
“A ruling by the Tribunal can only be challenged in the Supreme Court,” the ministry source added.
In addition to the Tribunal, the National Sports Board (NSB) will be established as the regulatory authority for granting and revoking recognition of federations. This body, appointed entirely by the central government, will have broad powers to act on complaints or suo motu for issues like financial mismanagement and electoral violations.
Governance, not government control
A key concern addressed by the Ministry is the fear of political interference in sports administration. Officials emphasized that the Bill does not aim to exert control over federations but rather to promote transparency and accountability.
“However, this Bill does not mean government control on any NSF. Government will be a facilitator in ensuring good governance, not an enforcer,” the source clarified.
The Bill also aligns closely with international norms and the Olympic Charter, an especially important consideration following cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Everyone is on board now. This Bill explicitly aligns with the Olympic charter and the even the IOC feels that good work has been done in framing it,” the ministry source noted.
Administrative reforms, including age cap flexibility
The legislation also proposes a change in the age limit for sports administrators, increasing the cap from 70 to 75—if permitted by the respective international federations. This could have an immediate impact on the leadership of the BCCI, as current president Roger Binny, who just turned 70, may now be eligible to continue in his role for another term.
The selection committee for the NSB will include top-level government and sports officials, such as the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary (Sports), the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two experienced sports administrators, and one eminent sportsperson who has received a Dronacharya, Arjuna, or Khel Ratna award.
A future-ready sports governance model
Framed after detailed consultations with stakeholders and public input, the National Sports Governance Bill is being positioned as a landmark shift for Indian sports.
“This is an athlete-centric Bill which will ensure stable administration, fair selection, safe sports and grievance redressal, NSF audits, proper accounting and better fund management,” said the ministry official.
With the BCCI now under its purview, the Bill signals a unified and modern regulatory environment for Indian sports—one that balances autonomy with accountability and positions Indian sport for sustained international credibility and Olympic alignment.
