The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has officially announced a new internship programme aimed at providing aspiring professionals with hands-on experience in sports administration. With an annual outlay of Rs 5.30 crore, the initiative will fund 452 paid internship positions across key sports organizations, including national sports federations, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and other affiliated bodies.

The programme is designed to run in two recruitment cycles each year, scheduled for January and July, ensuring that a continuous pool of talented candidates can participate and gain practical exposure. Selected interns will benefit from a structured onboarding process, where they will be introduced to the operational and policy framework governing sports administration in India.

One of the key features of the internship is mentorship from domain experts, providing interns with guidance on various aspects of sports management, including policy formulation, implementation strategies, event management, and athlete development programmes. This mentorship aims to equip participants with both theoretical understanding and practical insights, helping bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world administration.

Interns will also have opportunities to contribute directly to ongoing projects, participate in stakeholder meetings, and observe policy discussions that shape the development of sports in India. By integrating young talent into decision-making processes and administrative functions, the programme intends to cultivate a future-ready workforce capable of driving innovation and efficiency within the sports ecosystem.

The Sports Ministry has emphasized that the internship is open to candidates from diverse educational backgrounds, including sports management, public policy, law, finance, and media. By leveraging multidisciplinary skills, interns will gain a holistic understanding of how sports policies are conceived, implemented, and evaluated.

In addition to professional growth, the programme provides financial remuneration, ensuring that interns can focus on learning and contributing without the burden of financial constraints. The Rs 5.30 crore annual budget demonstrates the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence in sports administration.

Overall, the Sports Ministry internship programme represents a strategic investment in capacity building, offering structured exposure, mentorship, and paid experience to young professionals interested in the governance, promotion, and development of sports in India. It is expected to strengthen institutional knowledge, create pathways for leadership, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of sports administration across the country.