Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2025 set a landmark sporting ambition for India, declaring that the country must qualify and compete in at least three-fourths of all events at the 2036 Olympics. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi also announced a nationwide talent identification programme targeting children aged 5 to 15 — a structural push to widen India's elite athlete pipeline ahead of its Olympic hosting bid.

The 2036 Olympic Ambition

Modi acknowledged a stark gap in India's current Olympic footprint. Of roughly 40 disciplines and nearly 350 events at the Games, India currently fails to qualify in more than two-thirds — a reality the Prime Minister called 'sad.' His stated goal is to reverse that by 2036, with Indian athletes competing across at least three-fourths of all Olympic events.

'India's performance is improving, and we are strong contenders to become an Olympic host in 2036. We are hosting the CWG in 2030. There are about 40 disciplines in Olympics, with nearly 350 events. It is sad that we are not able to even compete in at least two thirds of these events because we are not even able to qualify,' Modi said in his Independence Day address.

Nationwide Talent Hunt for Children

To build the athlete base needed to meet that target, the government will launch a nationwide talent hunt covering children between 5 and 15 years of age. The programme is designed to identify sporting potential in 'every corner of the country,' with selected children receiving special training and institutional support to develop into world-class athletes.

'We have decided that in 2036, we should participate in at least three fourth events. We are launching a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to identify prospects in every corner of the country. They will get special training to become world-class athletes,' Modi said.

India's Sporting Momentum and TOPS

Modi pointed to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and a series of domestic competitions — including the Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games, and Winter Games — as evidence of India's accelerating sporting progress. He noted improvements in sports training, sports medicine, and sports nutrition as pillars of this growth.

'India is making space for itself in the world of sports. We hear our national anthem frequently and see our tri-colour going up very often,' he said, signalling confidence in India's rising international profile.

2030 Commonwealth Games and the Road to 2036

India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat — its second time organising the event after New Delhi hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The official hosting transfer took place at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Glasgow Games. The Narendra Modi Stadium complex is among the primary venues earmarked for the Ahmedabad edition.

The 2030 Games are widely seen as a critical dress rehearsal — an opportunity to upgrade sporting infrastructure, surface emerging talent, and build organisational capacity ahead of the 2036 Olympic bid. India is reportedly a strong candidate for the 2036 hosting rights, and Modi's Independence Day announcements appear designed to signal both domestic intent and international readiness.

What Comes Next

Implementation details for the talent hunt programme — including the agencies responsible, timelines, and selection criteria — are yet to be officially outlined. The initiative is expected to complement existing frameworks like TOPS and Khelo India, rather than replace them. With the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics both on the horizon, the coming months will test whether the ambition translates into a credible, funded action plan.