1,342 Athletes Ejected From Khelo India Programme For Below-Par Performance And Doping Violations

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 17:42 IST

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Mandaviya said that 2,905 new athletes have been inducted into the government’s flagship sports development scheme during the same period.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has revealed that as many as 1,342 athletes have been removed from the Khelo India programme over the past three years due to failing to meet performance standards or for doping violations.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Mandaviya said that 2,905 new athletes have been inducted into the government’s flagship sports development scheme during the same period.

“A total of 1,342 athletes have exited the programme during the last three years due to performance below the prescribed benchmarks and involvement in doping violations," the minister said.

He added that the performance benchmarks are revised annually and updated on the Khelo India website. The athletes’ progress is assessed each year according to prescribed protocols and through assessment camps.

Currently, more than 23,000 athletes across the country are being supported under the scheme. Decisions regarding induction and exit are overseen by the ministry’s Talent Identification and Development Committee, which follows a set protocol that includes performance assessment camps.

Launched in 2017, Khelo India aims to identify and nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level. Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker is among its most prominent beneficiaries.

The scheme accounts for a significant portion of the sports budget.

For the 2026–27 financial year, it has been allocated Rs 924.35 crore.

Mandaviya said that the government is strengthening intelligence and investigative mechanisms, including involving agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to curb the menace of doping in the country.

“The Government is committed to ensuring clean sport and has taken several steps to strengthen intelligence-gathering and investigative mechanisms, such as institutional strengthening of NADA’s Intelligence and Investigation infrastructure, including the recruitment and training of specialised personnel," he said.

He added that coordination with the CBI and other law enforcement agencies is being encouraged to combat the trafficking and misuse of performance-enhancing substances.

India has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list for the highest number of positive tests for banned substances in each of the past three years.

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