Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program
Khelo India athlete pipeline entry
Nationwide talent identification programme for school children aged 9-18 across 11 sports, conducted at notified Talent Assessment Centres.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Duration
Year-round assessments
Format
Individual
Time needed
One-day assessment session at a Talent Assessment Centre
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
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
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.
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.
Languages
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to register for KIRTI assessments?
Students aged 9 to 18 currently enrolled in any recognised school across India are eligible to register on the KIRTI portal and undergo a talent assessment at a notified Talent Assessment Centre.
Which sports are covered in the first phase of KIRTI?
The programme covers 11 disciplines: archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling. Students can register for any one of these sports.
How does the KIRTI assessment process work?
Students register on the KIRTI dashboard, choose a notified Talent Assessment Centre, and attend a standardised assessment. Performance is recorded and evaluated using technology-driven scoring methodology.
Is there any fee for participating in KIRTI assessments?
No, participation in KIRTI assessments is free for all eligible school students. The programme is fully funded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
What happens after a student is selected through KIRTI?
Selected athletes enter the Khelo India athlete development pipeline and gain access to SAI training centres, certified coaching, sports science support, and competition exposure under Khelo India schemes.
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