India’s elite sports ecosystem is on the cusp of a significant structural shift, with the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) set to undergo a major revamp aimed at improving accountability, expanding athlete depth, and aligning the country’s Olympic strategy with global benchmarks.
At the centre of this overhaul is a move towards quarterly evaluation of athletes, replacing the existing half-yearly review system. The change reflects a broader push towards a more dynamic and performance-driven structure, where athlete support, funding, and selection decisions are closely tied to real-time results and fitness levels.
Shift Towards Continuous Performance Monitoring
Currently, athletes under TOPS are assessed twice a year, a system that often delays critical decisions related to form, injuries, or performance dips. The proposed quarterly review mechanism aims to introduce greater responsiveness within the system. It will allow the Mission Olympic Cell to make faster adjustments whether that involves adding emerging talent, reallocating resources, or pruning underperforming athletes.
This approach brings TOPS closer to high-performance models followed by leading sporting nations, where continuous monitoring and rapid intervention are central to success. It also introduces a level of accountability that ensures athletes remain competitive throughout the Olympic cycle rather than peaking only around major events.
Expansion of Athlete Base: A Long-Term Vision
The revamp is not limited to evaluation processes. One of the most ambitious aspects of the plan is the expansion of the TOPS athlete pool. The current strength of 399 athletes spread across core, developmental, para, Asian Games, and hockey groups has already seen a significant rise from 245 in the previous year.
However, the government has set far more aggressive targets for the future. The plan is to expand the pool to 3000 athletes by 2032 and further to 5000 by 2036. This expansion will follow a structured core-to-development ratio of 1:5, ensuring that for every elite athlete competing at the highest level, there is a strong pipeline of emerging talent being groomed.
This shift addresses one of India’s longstanding challenges in sport the lack of depth. Historically, India’s Olympic success has relied on a small group of elite performers. By widening the base, the system aims to create sustained excellence rather than isolated medal wins.
A defining feature of the revamped TOPS framework is the strategic pivot towards sports that offer a higher number of Olympic medals. Disciplines such as aquatics, cycling, rowing, and gymnastics are expected to drive this expansion.
The logic is straightforward. While India has traditionally performed well in sports like wrestling, shooting, and badminton, these disciplines offer a limited number of medal opportunities. In contrast, aquatics alone contributes 55 medals at the Olympics, while cycling and rowing together account for over 100 medal events.
Despite this, India currently has minimal representation in these sports within the TOPS framework. There are no cyclists in the current list and only one swimmer in the developmental group. The revamp aims to correct this imbalance by increasing the number of athletes in these disciplines and creating a structured pathway for their progression into the elite core group over the next five years.
This approach mirrors strategies adopted by countries like China and Great Britain, which have successfully targeted high-yield sports to maximise medal returns.
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Another critical component of the new roadmap is the integration of grassroots initiatives such as Khelo India and ASMITA into the TOPS structure. These programs have already played a key role in identifying young talent across the country, but the transition from grassroots to elite performance has often been inconsistent.
The revamped system aims to create a seamless pathway where athletes identified at the grassroots level are systematically inducted into the TOPS developmental group and eventually into the core group. This structured progression is essential for long-term success, particularly in disciplines that require early specialization, such as gymnastics and swimming.
The financial framework of TOPS remains a key pillar of the program. Core athletes continue to receive a monthly allowance of ₹50,000, along with additional support during international training and competition. Developmental athletes receive ₹25,000 per month, along with similar overseas allowances.
Beyond direct financial assistance, athletes under TOPS benefit from access to world-class coaching, sports science support, international exposure, and customised training programs. These elements have been instrumental in India’s recent Olympic successes, particularly in disciplines like athletics, shooting, and badminton. The revamp seeks to extend these benefits to a larger pool of athletes, ensuring that emerging talent receives the same level of support as established stars.
Building on Past Success
The government’s confidence in expanding TOPS is rooted in its track record. Targeted investment and support have played a crucial role in India’s Olympic achievements over the past decade. Sports such as wrestling, badminton, and shooting have consistently delivered medals, validating the effectiveness of focused funding and structured preparation.
However, the next phase requires a shift from reliance on a few disciplines to a more diversified approach. The emphasis on aquatics, cycling, and rowing reflects an understanding that sustained Olympic success depends on both depth and diversity. While the roadmap is ambitious, its success will depend on execution. Expanding the athlete pool to 5000 requires not just funding but also infrastructure, coaching expertise, and administrative efficiency. Ensuring that athletes receive consistent support across all levels will be critical.
Additionally, the transition from identification to elite performance remains a challenge. Bridging this gap will require close coordination between national federations, training centres, and support staff.
A Defining Phase for Indian Sport
The proposed revamp of TOPS marks a significant shift in India’s sporting philosophy. It signals a move towards a system that is proactive, data-driven, and aligned with global best practices.
With a clear focus on accountability, expansion, and strategic investment, the initiative has the potential to transform India into a more consistent and competitive Olympic nation. As the country looks ahead to the 2032 and 2036 Olympic cycles, this overhaul could well define the next chapter of Indian sport.
