Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program
Khelo India athlete pipeline entry
Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program is a program by Sports Authority of India for children aged 9 to 18, open to students across India. It is free to take part.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Duration
Year-round assessments
Format
Individual
Time needed
One-day assessment session at a Talent Assessment Centre
About this opportunity
Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) is a nationwide talent scouting programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as the nodal implementation agency. The programme identifies young athletes aged 9 to 18 from schools across India and assesses their sporting aptitude through a network of notified Talent Assessment Centres (TACs).
KIRTI uses a transparent, technology-driven selection methodology. Assessments are recorded and analysed using data analytics and artificial intelligence to predict the sporting acumen of aspiring athletes. Physical education teachers and domain experts are involved in scouting, evaluating, and shortlisting candidates from across the country.
In its first phase, KIRTI covers 11 disciplines: archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling. The programme aims to conduct 20 lakh assessments across India through 174 Talent Assessment Centres spread across 33 States and Union Territories.
Identified athletes enter the Khelo India athlete development pipeline, receive financial support, and gain access to coaching, infrastructure, and competition exposure under SAI's flagship schemes.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 9 to 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Currently enrolled in school
Prerequisites
- Currently enrolled in school
- Aged between 9 and 18 years
Open to school students aged 9 to 18 across India, regardless of gender, currently enrolled in any school. Students apply through any of the 174 notified Talent Assessment Centres.
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Rewards and recognition
Career pathways
Selected athletes enter the Khelo India athlete development pathway with access to SAI training centres, national coaches, sports science support, and competition exposure.
Recognition
National-level recognition
Skills your child builds
Languages
What your child will do
- Standardised physical and sport-specific assessments
- Technology-based performance evaluation
- Identification of talent in 11 Khelo India disciplines
- Onboarding selected athletes to Khelo India schemes
- Nationwide talent scouting and identification drives
- Sporting aptitude assessments at designated Talent Assessment Centres (TACs)
- Data analytics and AI-driven evaluation of athlete potential
- Shortlisting and selection of promising candidates
- Integration into the Khelo India athlete development pipeline
- Provision of financial support for identified athletes
- Access to specialized coaching and training programs
- Exposure to advanced sports infrastructure and facilities
- Participation in competitive events and tournaments
Mentors & faculty
Physical education teachers, domain experts, and specialized coaches from the Sports Authority of India.
How to apply
- 1Visit the KIRTI dashboard at dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in/kirti-sports
- 2Locate a notified Talent Assessment Centre near your district
- 3Register the student athlete for the chosen sport discipline
- 4Attend the scheduled assessment at the assigned Talent Assessment Centre
- 5Receive evaluation results and selection feedback through the portal
Frequently asked questions
Is Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program?
Children aged 9 to 18.
What will my child gain from Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program?
National-level talent assessment by SAI-notified evaluators. Entry into the Khelo India athlete development pipeline for selected students. Access to coaching, infrastructure, and sports science support through SAI. Exposure to nationally benchmarked performance standards. Opportunity to be scouted across 11 Khelo India disciplines.
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