Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons

Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons: A Lifelong Monthly Pension of Up to ₹20,000

A sporting career is short, and financial security after retirement is not guaranteed. The Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons gives eligible retired Indian athletes a lifelong monthly pension of ₹12,000 to ₹20,000, depending on the event and the medal.

What is the scheme?

The scheme was launched in 1994 and is run by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It recognises athletes who won medals for India at specified international events and supports them after their careers end.

The pension is payable at the age of 30 or on retirement from active sports, whichever is later. It is paid through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) under an annuity arrangement. Deaflympics medallists are also covered under revised provisions announced in 2022.

Scheme at a glance

How much pension do you get?

These are the rates effective from 1 April 2018.

Only one pension is paid per sportsperson, based on their highest achievement. For World Cups and World Championships, only competitions held once every four years in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines qualify.

Who is eligible?

1. You must be an Indian citizen.
2. You must have won a gold, silver or bronze medal for India at an eligible event: the Olympics, Paralympics, Deaflympics, Asian Games, Para Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, or a qualifying World Cup or World Championship.
3. You must have retired from active sports.
4. You must have reached age 30, or retired, whichever is later.
5. You must give an undertaking confirming your retirement and submit documents verifying your age and achievements.

Documents required

• Aadhaar number and personal details
• Proof of date of birth
• Details of the sport, competition, year and medal, with medal certificates or achievement records
• Undertaking confirming retirement from active sports
• Bank account details and the bank mandate form
• Cancelled cheque or a bank-verified photocopy of a cheque
• Declaration accepting responsibility for any income tax on the pension

Check the DBT-YAS portal for the latest upload and verification requirements.

How to apply

1. Open the DBT-YAS portal.
2. Click Registration, enter your details and verify your mobile number with the OTP.
3. Log in and complete your profile if prompted.
4. In the Schemes section, choose Pension to Meritorious Sportsperson Scheme.
5. Fill in your personal information, discipline, medal details, competition year and retirement information.
6. Upload the requested documents.
7. Review and submit.
8. Track progress under Application Status. SMS updates may also be sent.
9. After approval, the Department arranges an annuity through LIC, which pays the pension into your bank account.

How the pension is paid

The Department releases a consolidated amount to LIC, and LIC deposits the monthly pension into your designated bank account.

To keep receiving it without a break, you must submit a Life Existence Certificate to LIC every year. A circular dated 29 September 2025 allows this to be done online through the LIC Digital app:

1. Download the LIC Digital app.
2. Open it and select Jeevan Saakshya.
3. Register with the mobile number or email linked to your policy, set an MPIN and log in.
4. Choose to generate a certificate and select your annuity number.
5. Complete identity verification using DigiLocker or the Aadhaar Offline eKYC ZIP method.
6. Follow the instructions to verify your details and complete the selfie verification.
7. Generate the certificate and confirm in the app that it was created.

Submit it according to the schedule for your annuity.

Need help?

• Phone: 011-23387432 / 011-23385101
• Toll-free helpdesk: 1800-202-5155 / 1800-258-5155 (Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 8 PM)
• Scheme queries: section.sp4-moyas@gov.in
• Technical support: dbt.sports@gov.in
• Address: Department of Sports, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110001
• Office hours: Mon to Fri, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, excluding holidays

Related scheme

Sportspersons facing medical expenses, injuries or financial hardship can look at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Programme for Sportspersons. Unlike this pension, which rewards sporting achievement, it helps people facing specific difficulties.

Frequently asked questions

When was the scheme launched?
In 1994.

How much pension do Olympic and Paralympic medallists get?
₹20,000 a month.

What do Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallists get?
₹14,000 a month for gold and ₹12,000 a month for silver or bronze.

At what age does the pension start?
At 30 or on retirement from active sports, whichever is later.

Can I get more than one pension?
No. You receive one, based on your highest achievement.

Is there an application fee?
No.