India has officially declared its intent to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, aiming to bring the world’s largest sporting event to Indian soil for the first time. The ambitious bid, endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), will require seamless coordination between multiple ministries, state governments, and international bodies over the next decade.
At the centre of this historic bid is the Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, the top bureaucrat who plays a crucial role in driving Olympic planning, policy formulation, international negotiations, and execution strategy.
India’s Olympic Bid: Key Highlights
✅ Target Year: 2036 Summer Olympics
✅ Proposed Host City: Ahmedabad (with Narendra Modi Stadium as main venue)
✅ Announcement: Confirmed at IOC Session in Mumbai in 2023, formal bid filed in June 2025
✅ Key official leading bid: Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Olympic Bid Milestones for India
| Year | Milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | IOC Session in Mumbai | PM Modi announces India’s intent to bid for 2036 |
| 2024 | Internal feasibility reports | Gujarat Government, IOA, Sports Ministry prepare base plans |
| 2025 | Formal bid submission | Filed with IOC for preliminary review |
| 2026 | Technical evaluation by IOC | Includes venue inspection and financial capability assessment |
| 2027 | Final IOC decision | Host city awarded for 2036 Games |
Who is the Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports?
The Secretary, Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS), is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the rank of Secretary to Government of India.
Role in Olympic Bid
- Acts as nodal officer coordinating between central ministries, IOA, and state governments
- Oversees budgetary allocation and international compliance
- Leads Indian delegation in negotiations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- Drives policy, infrastructure approvals, and inter-ministerial clearances
Eligibility: How to Become Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Service | Must be an IAS officer |
| Batch seniority | Typically 1985–1995 batch officers (with ~30 years experience) |
| Cadre allocation | No restriction; officers from any state cadre are eligible |
| Previous roles | Experience in youth affairs, sports, tourism, or infrastructure ministries preferred |
| Appointment process | Empanelment by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and approval by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) |
| Tenure | Usually 2-3 years, extendable up to retirement |
Recent Secretaries of Youth Affairs and Sports
| Name | Batch | Previous Positions Held | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sujata Chaturvedi | 1989 Bihar cadre | DoPT, Tourism Additional Secretary | Khelo India expansion, Olympics mission |
| Ravi Mittal | 1986 Bihar cadre | Information & Broadcasting | Tokyo Olympics preparation |
| Radhey Shyam Julaniya | 1985 MP cadre | Water Resources | Khelo India launch, athlete schemes revamp |
| Injeti Srinivas | 1983 Odisha cadre | Corporate Affairs | National Sports Code drafting |
Key Skills Required
✅ Policy formulation and execution – Understanding complex sports, urban infrastructure, and international relations policy.
✅ Inter-ministerial coordination – Aligning ministries like Finance, Urban Development, Railways, Tourism.
✅ International diplomacy – Negotiating with IOC, World Athletics, International Federations.
✅ Event management acumen – Overseeing multi-billion-dollar event planning and delivery.
✅ Stakeholder management – Managing athletes, federations, media, sponsors, and political leadership.
India’s Olympic Bid Budget and Requirements
Hosting the Olympics is a massive financial and logistical undertaking. Preliminary estimates for India’s 2036 bid indicate:
| Expense Head | Estimated Cost (₹ crore) |
|---|---|
| Stadium & venue upgrades | 20,000 |
| Games Village construction | 5,000 |
| Urban transport infrastructure | 40,000 |
| Security & surveillance | 10,000 |
| Operational costs (management, volunteers, ceremonies) | 15,000 |
| Total projected budget | 90,000 crore (~$11 billion) |
Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports bid documents (preliminary)
Challenges Before the Secretary in Olympic Execution
- IOC Compliance: Meeting global standards for venues, athlete facilities, accessibility.
- Urban development: Upgrading Ahmedabad’s connectivity, airports, hotels, intra-city transport.
- Financial viability: Ensuring sustainable budgets without burdening taxpayers.
- Public support: Building citizen enthusiasm and awareness to avoid protests or resistance.
- Environmental clearances: Ensuring eco-friendly construction to meet IOC sustainability norms.
- Legacy planning: Creating infrastructure with long-term utility post-Games.
International Competition for 2036 Olympics
| Country | Proposed Host City | Bid Status |
|---|---|---|
| India | Ahmedabad | Bid filed June 2025 |
| Qatar | Doha | Bid filed March 2024 |
| Indonesia | Nusantara | Bid filed July 2024 |
| Turkey | Istanbul | Bid filed September 2024 |
| Germany | Berlin | Bid filed October 2024 |
Expert Opinion: Is India Ready?
Sports economist Dr. Roshan Lal observed:
“Winning the bid will require immense diplomatic push. The Secretary of Sports will be pivotal in aligning central, state, and IOC expectations. India has the potential, but its execution capacity will be under scrutiny.”
Benefits of Hosting 2036 Olympics
✅ Boost to infrastructure: Metro expansion, airport upgrades, smart city development.
✅ Economic impact: Estimated GDP boost of $30 billion through tourism, jobs, and services.
✅ Sports development: Increased investment in grassroots sports, stadiums, and coaching facilities.
✅ Global branding: Establishes India as a capable organiser of mega-events post G20 and Cricket World Cups.
Future Roadmap for Olympic Bid Team
- Finalize Games masterplan: Venues, Village, transport blueprint.
- IOC Evaluation Visit: Expected in early 2026.
- Strengthen sports federations: Ensure medal-winning preparation to justify hosting ambitions.
- Build public consensus: Awareness campaigns to generate citizen pride and participation.
- Finalize legacy utilisation plan: Avoiding ‘white elephant’ stadiums post Games.
Conclusion
India’s 2036 Olympic bid reflects its aspirations as a rising global power with world-class infrastructure and sporting potential. However, delivering a successful bid and Games requires robust leadership from the Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, who must balance bureaucratic efficiency, international diplomacy, and public interest.
As the race intensifies, the coming years will determine if India can translate its economic and geopolitical stature into sporting glory on the world’s largest stage.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to consult official Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports notifications, IOC bid updates, and UPSC Civil Services guidelines for precise eligibility criteria and updates related to India’s Olympic bid and senior bureaucratic appointments.
