The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has decided to recognize ‘Yoga’ as a sports discipline and to place it in the ‘Priority’ category. Based on the past performance in major international events, it has been decided to upgrade the sport of Fencing from ‘Others’ to ‘General’ category. It has also been decided to place ‘University Sports’ in the ‘Priority’ category.

Meanwhile, the categorization of various sports disciplines was reviewed and the revised categories of sports disciplines and the scale of financial assistance admissible to each category was conveyed to IOC and all recognized National Sports Federations on 23rd March, 2015. It was also conveyed that ‘General’ category of sports disciplines shall be retained. Criteria for inclusion in this category and financial assistance to be provided will be separately issued.

It has now been decided by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports that sports disciplines included in the multidiscipline mega events like Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games etc and which have obtained a ranking upto 8th in individual events and upto 10th in team events in Olympics/Asian Games/CWG or their respective Asian and World Championships shall be placed in ‘General’ category.

Financial assistance for this category will be as under:
i)    National Championships are to be funded.
ii)   One international event in India in a year, can be funded.
iii)  Maximum of one foreign exposure each in Senior & Junior categories can also be funded during a year.