National Sports Board search committee formed under NSG Act, 2025
Synopsis
India's sports governance overhaul moved from law to action on 15 June, as the Union Government named a five-member Search-cum-Selection Committee — led by Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan and including Olympians Gagan Narang and N. Kunjurani Devi — to identify the first Chairperson and Members of the National Sports Board, the body that will control recognition and compliance for every national sports federation.
Key Takeaways
The Union Government constituted the Search-cum-Selection Committee for the National Sports Board on 15 June 2025 .
The committee is chaired by Dr.
Somanathan , Cabinet Secretary, and includes sports awardees Gagan Narang and N.
The panel will recommend names for the Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board.
The National Sports Board will be the central authority for recognising National Sports Bodies and enforcing governance, financial, and ethical standards.
The National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026 and (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026 have already been notified under the NSG Act, 2025 .
The Union Government on Monday, 15 June constituted the Search-cum-Selection Committee for the National Sports Board under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, formally setting in motion the appointment process for the country's new central sports regulatory authority.
Committee Composition
The committee will be chaired by Dr. T.V. Somanathan, Cabinet Secretary, and includes Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports); Lt General (Retd) Harpal Singh, representing the Indian Olympic Association (IOA); and two National Sports Awardees — Gagan Narang and N. Kunjurani Devi. The panel brings together senior bureaucrats, a military sports administrator, and decorated athletes in a single oversight body.
What the Committee Must Do
The Search-cum-Selection Committee is tasked with recommending a panel of names for the positions of Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board. Candidates must be persons of ability, integrity, and standing, with knowledge or practical experience in public administration, sports governance, sports law, or related fields.
Role of the National Sports Board
Once constituted, the National Sports Board will serve as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and monitoring compliance with governance, financial, and ethical standards. Its composition, the tenure of its Chairperson and Members, and their salaries, allowances, and service conditions are all defined under the notified rules.
Regulatory Framework in Place
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had earlier notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026, and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026 — both under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 — establishing the twin pillars of regulation and dispute resolution for Indian sports. This comes amid longstanding concerns about governance lapses in several national federations, making the Board's eventual constitution a milestone in Indian sports administration. The appointment of the Search-cum-Selection Committee is the first concrete procedural step since the Act was passed.
Point of View
2025 is the most structured legislative attempt yet, but the Board's credibility will hinge entirely on who is appointed and whether they act without deference to the federations they are meant to regulate. Including two decorated athletes on the search panel is a positive signal; what matters next is the Board's actual enforcement record once constituted.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Sports Board Search-cum-Selection Committee?
It is a five-member committee constituted by the Union Government on 15 June to identify and recommend candidates for the positions of Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board. The committee is chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan.
What will the National Sports Board do?
The National Sports Board will serve as the central regulatory authority for Indian sports, responsible for granting official recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring they comply with governance, financial, and ethical standards set under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Who are the members of the Search-cum-Selection Committee?
The committee comprises Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan (Chairperson), Hari Ranjan Rao (Secretary, Sports), Lt General (Retd) Harpal Singh (Indian Olympic Association), and National Sports Awardees Gagan Narang and N. Kunjurani Devi.
What is the National Sports Governance Act, 2025?
It is a central legislation that establishes the legal framework for regulating Indian sports, covering recognition of national sports bodies, governance standards, and dispute resolution. The government has since notified the National Sports Board Rules and National Sports Tribunal Rules under this Act.
What criteria will be used to select the National Sports Board Chairperson and Members?
Candidates must demonstrate ability, integrity, and standing, along with knowledge or practical experience in public administration, sports governance, sports law, or related fields, as specified under the notified rules.
