Sports Ministry seeks standard SOP for athletes’ fitness tests

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has directed the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) to develop discipline-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) for periodic fitness assessments of athletes representing India in international competitions.

In a communication sent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and various National Sports Federations (NSFs), the ministry said the initiative aims to standardise the medical evaluation process of athletes and strengthen the integration of sports science in performance management.

According to the directive, the proposed protocols will outline structured and sport-specific fitness testing procedures that will be conducted at regular intervals. The results of these assessments will be mandatorily uploaded on the National Sports Repository System to maintain a centralised database of athletes’ fitness records.

The ministry further stated that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) will coordinate the implementation of the exercise in collaboration with NCSSR and the national federations.

The move is aligned with the policy framework of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which emphasises the greater use of sports science and technology to improve athlete performance and ensure systematic monitoring of their health and fitness levels.

Officials said the introduction of a standardised and dynamic fitness evaluation mechanism is expected to enhance athlete preparedness and support India’s performance in international sporting events.