Uttarakhand Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Uttarakhand Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme (RSAHPS) is a state-level initiative of the Government of Uttarakhand. Implemented by the Department of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD), the scheme focuses on installing open gyms in village communities. This gives rural youth free, convenient access to basic fitness equipment in their own localities.

The scheme was introduced to address a clear gap: most villages in Uttarakhand, particularly in hilly and remote areas, lack nearby gyms, sports complexes, or structured fitness facilities. As a result, young people often have limited opportunities to exercise regularly. The primary objective is to promote physical fitness and overall well-being among rural youth while fostering a grassroots sports culture. Because the open gyms are set up in common public spaces, they remain accessible to the entire village community, not only the youth.

Under the Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme, the department provides a one-time grant of ₹17,960 per Gram Panchayat for the purchase and installation of open gym or community fitness equipment. The funds are released directly to the local Mangal Dal (village youth group) linked with the Gram Panchayat, which is responsible for setting up the facility. The scheme does not offer individual financial assistance and does not operate through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Implementation takes place entirely at the village level. The Gram Panchayat identifies a suitable public site, the Gram Sabha accords its approval, and the proposal is forwarded to the regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer. After necessary verification and sanction, the allocated amount is transferred to the Mangal Dal for execution. All Gram Panchayats across Uttarakhand are eligible, and the entire process remains offline, with no dedicated online portal.

Interested Gram Panchayats must submit a formal proposal offline through the local Mangal Dal or Gram Panchayat office to the regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer for verification and approval. In the Uttarakhand Budget for the financial year 2025–26, the state government made a provision of ₹2.50 crore for the Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme under the Youth Welfare and PRD Department.

To promote a vibrant sports culture across the state, the Uttarakhand government is actively implementing two key scholarship schemes for emerging athletes - the Mukhyamantri Udayman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana, which provides a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 to selected players aged 8 to 14 years, and the Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsahan Yojana, which offers a monthly scholarship of ₹2,000 along with an annual equipment grant of ₹10,000 to promising athletes in the 14 to 23 years age group. You can explore the complete details of both schemes here.

Benefits of Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme

The Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme gives villages a ready fitness facility by funding open gym equipment through local Mangal Dals. The key benefits available under the scheme are as follows:

• Financial Assistance: The department allocates ₹17,960 to each Gram Panchayat for open gym or community fitness equipment.
• Fund Recipient: The Mangal Dal associated with the Gram Panchayat receives the money and installs the equipment.
• Payment Type: One-time grant. The scheme does not provide yearly or recurring assistance.
• DBT Status: The scheme is not a DBT scheme; no money goes to individual bank accounts.
• Free Fitness Access: Rural youth and villagers get a public open gym within their own Gram Panchayat.
• Implementing Body: The Mangal Dal associated with the Gram Panchayat receives and uses the funds.
• Village Sports Culture: The scheme encourages regular exercise, sports, and a healthy lifestyle in rural areas.

Eligibility Requirement

• The scheme targets village institutions, not individual applicants, so eligibility applies at the Gram Panchayat level.
• Every Gram Panchayat in Uttarakhand is eligible.

Documents Required

The Gram Panchayat and Mangal Dal are required to submit the necessary documents in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Youth Welfare and PRD Department. However, the department has not yet released a separate official list of required documents. Therefore, Gram Panchayats are advised to confirm the exact set of papers with the regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer before submitting the proposal under the Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme.

Steps to Apply

The Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme follows a fully offline application process through the Gram Panchayat, Gram Sabha, and regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer. The application process is completed through the following steps:

• The Gram Panchayat selects a suitable public site in the village to set up the open gym.
• The Gram Panchayat, along with its Mangal Dal, prepares a proposal for installing an open gym or community fitness equipment.
• The Gram Sabha discusses and approves the proposal in its meeting.
• The Gram Panchayat submits the approved proposal, with the documents the department requires, to the regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer.
• The regional Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal Officer verifies the proposal.
• After verification, the department approves the proposal.
• The department disburses ₹17,960 to the Mangal Dal associated with the Gram Panchayat.
• The Mangal Dal installs the open gym equipment at the selected site for public use.

Relevant Links

• Uttarakhand Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme Details
• Department of Youth Welfare and PRD, Uttarakhand

Contact Information

• Department of Youth Welfare and PRD, Uttarakhand Helpdesk Email: [email protected]