New Sports Policy 2026 Approved to Empower Athletes with Monthly Scholarships and Cash Rewards

LEH, August 1, 2026 — The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has approved the New Sports Policy 2026 to transform the region into a vibrant, self-sustaining sporting hub and ensure long-term financial security for young sportspersons. Guided by the principle of scouting, facilitating, and recognizing local talent, the policy aligns with Narendra Modi’s vision under initiatives like Khelo India to make sports a viable career option without financial constraints.

Under the new framework, medal winners at the state, national, and international levels will receive assured monthly scholarships ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh for a full year, starting directly from the date of their win. In addition to these monthly payments, the administration will award one-time cash rewards between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 crore for medalists across international, national, state, and school-level competitions.

The policy also guarantees automatic scholarship upgrades as athletes progress to higher levels of competition.Beyond direct financial incentives, the initiative offers comprehensive institutional backing, providing athletes with proper diet, scientific coaching, specialized equipment, and modern infrastructure.

Emphasizing that every medal earned brings national pride, the leadership reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive ecosystem where young sports talent is systematically nurtured and rewarded without placing a financial strain on families.