Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Athletes dedicate years of hard work, training, and commitment to representing India in international sporting competitions. However, financial security after retirement can be a challenge for many sportspersons. To recognise their achievements and support them after their sporting careers, the Government of India runs the Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons, also known as the Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons Scheme. Launched in 1994, the scheme provides a lifelong monthly pension ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹20,000 to eligible Indian sportspersons who have won medals at specified international sporting events. The pension becomes payable at the age of 30 or upon retirement from active sports, whichever is later, subject to the scheme's conditions.

The scheme is administered by the Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. Its main objective is to provide financial security to accomplished sportspersons after retirement and recognise their contribution to Indian sports. Pension payments are arranged through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), which disburses the monthly pension to approved beneficiaries under the annuity system. The scheme covers eligible medal winners at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Para Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and qualifying World Cups or World Championships. Deaflympics medallists are also covered under the revised provisions announced in 2022.

To qualify, applicants must be Indian citizens, have won a gold, silver, or bronze medal at an eligible competition, and have retired from active sports. They must meet the prescribed age and retirement conditions and provide the necessary documents to verify their sporting achievements. Eligible sportspersons can apply online through the Department of Sports' DBT-YAS Portal by registering, completing the application, uploading the required documents, and tracking their application status. For assistance with the application process, applicants can contact the Department of Sports helpline at 1800-202-5155 or 1800-258-5155, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Sportspersons who need financial assistance because of medical expenses, injuries, or financial hardship may also explore the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons. Unlike the pension scheme, which recognises eligible international sporting achievements, this welfare program provides financial assistance to eligible sportspersons and other covered individuals facing specific difficulties.

Scheme Benefits

The Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons provides regular financial support to eligible athletes after retirement. Its main benefits are as follows:

• Eligible Olympic and Paralympic medallists receive a lifelong monthly pension of ₹20,000.
• Eligible Deaflympics medallists are covered under the ₹20,000 monthly pension category, as confirmed in the Ministry's 2025 publication.
• Gold medallists at qualifying World Cups or World Championships receive ₹16,000 per month.
• Silver and bronze medallists at qualifying World Cups or World Championships receive ₹14,000 per month.
• Gold medallists at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Para Asian Games receive ₹14,000 per month.
• Silver and bronze medallists at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Para Asian Games receive ₹12,000 per month.
• The pension provides a regular source of income after retirement, helping eligible sportspersons maintain financial security.
• The pension is paid through LIC under an annuity arrangement, subject to the scheme's conditions and annual life-certificate requirements.
• An eligible sportsperson receives only one pension under the scheme, based on their highest sporting achievement.

Pension Amount Under the Scheme

The Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons provides a monthly pension to eligible Indian athletes who have won medals at specified international sporting competitions and retired from active sports. The pension amount depends on the competition and the medal won. According to the published government guidelines, the monthly pension ranges from ₹12,000 to ₹20,000.

The following table shows the pension amounts under the scheme, with the applicable rates effective from 1 April 2018. The inclusion of Deaflympics medallists in the ₹20,000 category was also confirmed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in its 2025 publication.

For World Cups and World Championships, only competitions held once every four years in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines qualify under the published guidelines. An eligible sportsperson can receive only one pension under this scheme, based on their highest sporting achievement. The pension is lifelong, subject to the scheme's conditions and required verification.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive benefits under the Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons, applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions set by the Government of India.

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant must have won a gold, silver, or bronze medal representing India at an eligible international sporting event.
• Eligible competitions include the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Deaflympics, Asian Games, Para Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and qualifying World Cups or World Championships.
• World Cups and World Championships must meet the scheme's condition of being held once every four years and must be in Olympic or Asian Games disciplines.
• The sportsperson must have retired from active sports to apply for the pension.
• The pension becomes payable at the age of 30 or upon retirement from active sports, whichever is later.
• The applicant must provide an undertaking confirming retirement from active sports and submit documents verifying their age and sporting achievements.
• If an applicant has won medals in multiple eligible competitions, they can receive only one pension under the scheme, based on their highest sporting achievement.

Required Documents

Applicants need to provide the necessary documents to verify their identity, age, sporting achievements, and retirement from active sports. The following documents and details are mentioned in the scheme's prescribed application form:

• Aadhaar number and personal details.
• Proof of date of birth.
• Details of the sport, competition, year, and medal won, along with supporting medal certificates or achievement records.
• An undertaking confirming retirement from active sports.
• Bank account details, including the required bank mandate form.
• A cancelled cheque or a photocopy of a cheque verified by the bank.
• A declaration accepting responsibility for any applicable income tax on the pension.

Applicants should check the official DBT-YAS portal for the latest document-upload and verification requirements before submitting their application.

Steps to Apply

Eligible sportspersons can apply for the Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons through the Department of Sports' online portal. Follow the steps below to register, submit your application, and check its status.

1. Open the application portal: Go to the DBT-YAS portal, which provides online application facilities for schemes managed by the Department of Sports.
2. Register your account: On the homepage, select the Registration option and enter the required personal details. Verify your mobile number using the OTP sent to you and complete the registration process.
3. Log in to your account: Use the login credentials provided after registration to access your account. Complete your profile details if prompted.
4. Select the pension scheme: Open the Schemes section and choose Pension to Meritorious Sportsperson Scheme from the available options.
5. Fill in the application form: Enter your personal information, sports discipline, medal details, competition year, and retirement information as required.
6. Upload the required documents: Attach the documents requested by the portal, including proof of age, sporting achievements, retirement undertaking, and bank details.
7. Submit your application: Review the information carefully and submit the completed application. Applying through the portal is free of charge.
8. Track your application: Open the Application Status section on the portal to follow the progress of your submission. SMS updates may also be provided.
9. Receive the pension after approval: Once your application is approved, the Department of Sports arranges an annuity through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), which pays the monthly pension into your designated bank account.

How Is the Pension Paid?

The pension is paid through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), rather than being transferred directly by the Department of Sports every month. Under the scheme, the Department releases a consolidated amount to LIC to arrange annuity payments for approved beneficiaries. LIC then deposits the monthly pension into the beneficiary's designated bank account.

To continue receiving the pension without interruption, beneficiaries must submit a Life Existence Certificate to LIC every year. This certificate confirms that the pension recipient is alive and eligible to continue receiving payments. The Department of Sports issued a circular on 29 September 2025 announcing that beneficiaries could submit this certificate online through the LIC Digital mobile application.

Eligible pensioners can follow these steps to submit their Life Existence Certificate through the LIC Digital app:

1. Download the LIC Digital app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Open the app and select the Jeevan Saakshya option.
3. Register using the mobile number or email address linked to the policy, set an MPIN, and log in.
4. Select the option to generate a certificate and choose the relevant annuity number.
5. Complete the required identity verification using DigiLocker or the Aadhaar Offline eKYC ZIP method.
6. Follow the app's instructions to verify the details and complete the selfie verification process.
7. Generate the certificate and check the app to confirm that it has been created successfully.

Beneficiaries should submit the certificate according to the schedule applicable to their annuity. The 2025 circular advises pensioners to use the LIC Digital app to make submission easier and help ensure timely continuation of their monthly pension.

Relevant Links

• Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• DBT-YAS Official Portal
• Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons Scheme Guidelines and Application Form
• Online Registration
• Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons Schemes, Guidelines and User Manuals
• Life Existence Certificate Guidelines

Contact Information

For assistance with the Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons, applicants can contact the Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, using the details provided below.

• Phone: 011-23387432 / 011-23385101
• Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-202-5155 / 1800-258-5155
• Email for Scheme-Related Queries: [email protected]
• Email for Technical Support: [email protected]
• Office Address: Department of Sports, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001, India
• Department Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, excluding holidays
• Online Application Helpdesk Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Applicants can contact the department for scheme-related information or reach the online helpdesk for assistance with registration and technical issues during the application process.

For the latest contact details, visit the official Department of Sports contact page.