NITI Aayog report: India's sports equipment exports could rise from $275 million to $8.1 billion by 2036
NITI Aayog's report 'Realising the Export Potential of India's Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector', released on 19 March 2026, notes India's share of global sports equipment exports is about 0.5% and projects exports of about $8.1 billion by 2036.
Summary
NITI Aayog released the report 'Realising the Export Potential of India's Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector' on 19 March 2026; Vice Chairman Suman Bery released it. The report says India exports about $275 million of sports equipment a year, around 0.5% of global exports, mostly from the Jalandhar (Punjab) and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) clusters, with nearly 90% of output from small and micro enterprises and a 15–20% cost disadvantage against China and Pakistan. The report recommends four new greenfield clusters in port-proximate states, modernisation of the Meerut and Jalandhar clusters, and about ₹7,500 crore of investment in 2027–2031. With these steps, exports could reach about $8.1 billion by 2036, lifting India's share to around 11% and creating about 54 lakh jobs.
Key facts
- Report
- Realising the Export Potential of India's Sports Equipment Manufacturing Sector
- Released by
- NITI Aayog VC Suman Bery, 19 March 2026
- Exports now
- ≈$275 million a year; ≈0.5% of global exports
- Clusters
- Jalandhar (Punjab), Meerut (UP)
- Recommendations
- 4 new greenfield clusters in port-proximate states; ≈₹7,500 crore in 2027–2031
- 2036 potential
- ≈$8.1 billion exports, ≈11% share, ≈54 lakh jobs
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to NITI Aayog's March 2026 report, India's current share of global sports equipment exports is about:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 0.5%
India exports about $275 million of sports equipment a year, around 0.5% of the global export market; 11% is the 2036 potential.
Consider the following about NITI Aayog's report on sports equipment manufacturing (March 2026): 1. Nearly half of the sector's production comes from large enterprises. 2. The existing clusters recommended for modernisation are Ludhiana and Kanpur. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: nearly 90% of production is by small and micro enterprises, and the clusters to be modernised are Meerut and Jalandhar.