Meghalaya Sports Scholarship Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Meghalaya Chief Minister's Sports Scholarship Scheme, officially notified as the Sports Scholarship Scheme, is implemented by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya under the Meghalaya Sports Policy, 2019. The scheme provides financial assistance and athlete development support to eligible sportspersons of Meghalaya to help them excel in sports and represent the State at higher levels. It also aims to recognise outstanding sporting achievements, encourage young athletes to pursue sports, and build a strong sporting culture by nurturing future champions for Meghalaya and the Nation.

Unlike general education scholarships, this scheme is specifically designed for active athletes who have represented Meghalaya and achieved outstanding performances in recognized sporting events. The scholarship is also extended to exceptionally talented athletes identified through the State's Talent Identification Committees, ensuring that promising players receive support even before they begin winning medals at the highest levels.

The scholarship forms an important part of Meghalaya's long-term sports development strategy. By reducing the financial burden associated with coaching, training, equipment, travel, nutrition, and competition, the scheme enables athletes to focus on improving their performance. The Department of Sports & Youth Affairs administers the scheme, while a High Power Committee is responsible for approving eligible athletes and taking all major decisions related to the scholarship. The Committee ordinarily meets twice every year to consider scholarship proposals.

Every year, the Department invites fresh applications from eligible sportspersons. For example, the 2026 notification invited applications from athletes who won medals during the 2025 calendar year, and applicants were required to obtain the prescribed application form from the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs or their respective State Sports Association before submitting it within the notified deadline.

Scheme Benefits

Eligible sportspersons selected under the Meghalaya Sports Scholarship Scheme receive financial assistance and athlete development support from the Government of Meghalaya.

The key benefits include:

• Annual sports scholarship ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹12,00,000, depending on the athlete's performance and the level of the recognised competition.
• Scholarship paid every month for one year.
• Scholarship may be extended for another year if the athlete maintains performance and complies with the scheme's conditions, subject to approval by the High Power Committee.
• Talented athletes selected through the Talent Identification Committees receive the scholarship amount specified under that mechanism, as provided in the notification, with the final amount subject to the Committee's recommendations and the High Power Committee's decision.
• Athletes can also apply for the Cash Award Scheme, if eligible.
• Additional support includes sports mentoring and counselling, nutrition workshops, anti-doping awareness programmes, athlete mental health programmes, injury management workshops, upskilling programmes, and sports education financial aid.

Scholarship Amount

The scholarship amount under the Sports Scholarship Scheme depends on the athlete's performance in recognised competitions. Athletes who win medals or participate in eligible international, national, state, and regional tournaments are entitled to annual scholarship assistance as prescribed under the scheme.

International Tournaments

National and State-Level Tournament Scholarships

Scholarship Payment and Duration

The scholarship is paid monthly for a period of one year, with the scholarship cycle beginning on 1 April each year. Athletes who continue to perform well and comply with all scheme conditions may receive an extension of their scholarship for one additional year, subject to the approval of the High Power Committee.

Selection Process

The scheme follows two different methods for selecting eligible athletes.

• 1. Competition-Based Selection

Athletes are selected based on their achievements in recognised international, national, regional, and state-level competitions. Scholarship eligibility depends on the athlete's highest achievement in an approved tournament, and the scholarship amount is awarded according to the official scholarship schedule.

• 2. Talent Identification Programme

Apart from competition-based selection, the Government also identifies promising athletes through Talent Identification Committees (TICs).

Approximately 100 athletes may be selected every year through this programme. The number of athletes selected in each sport depends on the priorities and budget approved by the High Power Committee.

Additional Benefits for Eligible Athletes

Apart from financial assistance, the scheme also provides several athlete development programmes. Eligible athletes may receive:

• Sports Mentoring and Counselling
• Nutrition Workshops
• Anti-Doping Awareness Programmes
• Athlete Mental Health Programmes
• Injury Management Workshops
• Upskilling Programmes
• Sports Education Financial Aid

These programmes are organised throughout the year at the discretion of the High Power Committee. A minimum of 5 to 10 sessions are conducted annually, and attendance is mandatory for all athletes covered under the scheme.

Steps To Apply

• Obtain the prescribed Application Form from the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs or the concerned State Sports Association.
• Fill in the application form with the required personal, sports, and achievement details.
• Attach the required supporting documents along with the completed application form.
• Submit the application to the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs through the respective State Sports Association or as directed by the Department.
• Ensure that the application reaches the Department before 1 March every year for consideration under the scheme.

General Terms and Conditions

The following conditions apply to athletes receiving scholarships under the Sports Scholarship Scheme:

• The scholarship period begins on 1 April every year.
• Scholarship assistance is paid on a monthly basis for one year.
• Athletes who continue to perform well and comply with the scheme's conditions may receive an extension of the scholarship for one additional year, subject to the approval of the High Power Committee.
• The list of eligible athletes must be submitted to the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs by the respective State
• Sports Association or the athlete before 1 March every year using the prescribed application form.
• Scholarship funds are released only to the athlete's bank account or, if the athlete does not have one, to the account of a certified guardian.
• Athletes found guilty of match-fixing, illegal drug use under NADA guidelines, or any other illegal activities will be removed from the scheme.
• If any such proceedings are pending, the scholarship will remain withheld until the matter is decided.
• Only achievements earned in competitions organised by recognised international and national sports bodies are considered for scholarship purposes.
• If the achievement is in a team event, each participating athlete receives 50% of the applicable scholarship amount.
• Athletes may apply for both the Sports Scholarship and the Cash Award Scheme, wherever eligible.
• Athletes already enrolled in a Government of Meghalaya Sports Hostel or Residential Programme are not eligible for this scholarship.
• Athletes who retire from sports or do not participate in any tournament for more than 12 months will be removed from the scheme.
• Scholarship recipients must maintain their registration with the National Sports Federation affiliated with the Indian
• Olympic Association. Failure to do so may result in suspension or withdrawal of the scholarship.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of Department OF Sports & Youth Affairs Goverment of Meghalaya
• Guidelines of the Meghalaya Sports Scholarship Scheme

Contact Information

• Department OF Sports & Youth Affairs Goverment Contact List