Author – Ritesh Ranjan: India’s para-sports ecosystem is set to receive a significant boost as the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and SBI Foundation launch Phase 2 of the Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship Programme. The expanded initiative will support 80 promising para-athletes across eight Paralympic disciplines, offering them financial assistance, sports science assessments, nutrition guidance and personalised performance support.
Under Phase 2, every selected athlete will receive a monthly scholarship of ₹40,000 for one year. The programme aims to create a stable and professionally supported training environment for athletes preparing for national and international competitions, including major events such as the Asian Games and the Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
Applications for the second phase of the scholarship programme are open until 9 August 2026 through the official application portal.
Supporting 80 Para-Athletes Across Eight Sports
The IIT Madras-SBI Foundation Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship Programme will support athletes participating in eight Paralympic disciplines:
- Archery
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Judo
- Powerlifting
- Shooting
- Swimming
- Taekwondo
One of the most important features of Phase 2 is its commitment to gender equality. The programme will select an equal number of male and female athletes, with scholarships being awarded to 40 men and 40 women.
This gender-balanced approach can help improve access to professional training and financial resources for female para-athletes, who may otherwise face additional barriers while pursuing competitive sport.
₹40,000 Monthly Scholarship for One Year
Each selected athlete will receive ₹40,000 per month for a period of one year. The financial assistance is intended to help athletes meet expenses related to training, equipment, travel, recovery, nutrition and participation in competitions.
For athletes competing at the national and international levels, maintaining a consistent training schedule can be financially challenging. Many athletes must manage the cost of specialised equipment, coaching, physiotherapy, travel and accommodation while preparing for competitions.
A regular monthly scholarship can reduce this financial pressure and allow athletes to dedicate more time and attention to improving their performance.
However, the programme is not limited to financial assistance. Its integrated structure combines funding with sports science, nutrition and individualised guidance, creating a more comprehensive athlete-development model.
Who Can Apply for the Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to eligible Indian para-athletes who meet the programme’s selection requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be Indian citizens
- Be no more than 35 years of age
- Participate in one of the eight eligible Paralympic disciplines
- Have represented their state and/or India
- Have competed in recognised national or international events
- Fulfil the programme’s performance and documentation requirements
Candidates must submit the required supporting documents while completing the application process. Final selection will be based on the evaluation criteria established by IIT Madras and SBI Foundation.
Eligible athletes should carefully review the official guidelines before applying and ensure that their applications are submitted before the 9 August 2026 deadline.
Phase 1 Scholars Won 70 Medals
The expansion follows the strong performance of athletes selected during the programme’s first phase.
Phase 1 was launched in 2025 with 26 para-athletes. During national and international competitions, these athletes collectively won 70 medals, including:
- 32 gold medals
- 22 silver medals
- 16 bronze medals
The medal tally demonstrated that structured financial and scientific support can positively influence athlete preparation and performance.
The results also helped establish the scholarship as more than a financial support scheme. It developed into a structured performance platform through which para-athletes could access resources, expert assessments and long-term guidance.
With the number of beneficiaries increasing from 26 to 80, Phase 2 will give many more athletes an opportunity to train with greater stability and professional support.
Sports Science Support from Acrophase
A major strength of the scholarship programme is its focus on science-led athlete development.
Acrophase, the Centre of Excellence for Human Performance at IIT Madras, will conduct sports science-based performance assessments for selected athletes. These assessments will help identify each athlete’s strengths, physical requirements and areas that may need improvement.
The findings can be used to support more personalised training and performance strategies. Instead of following a single approach for every athlete, the programme can provide guidance based on individual needs, sporting disciplines and physical conditions.
This level of personalisation is particularly relevant for para-athletes because training requirements may vary depending on an athlete’s classification, mobility, event and competitive goals.
Sports science assessments can also help coaches and athletes make informed decisions regarding training intensity, recovery, movement efficiency and performance planning.
Personalised Sports Nutrition Guidance
Selected athletes will also receive sports nutrition guidance throughout the scholarship period.
Nutrition plays a critical role in athletic performance, recovery and injury prevention. However, nutritional requirements can differ depending on the athlete’s sport, training load, body composition and competition schedule.
Through personalised guidance, athletes can learn how to align their diets with training cycles and competition demands. They may also receive support related to hydration, recovery meals, energy requirements and competition-day nutrition.
Combining performance assessments with nutritional guidance gives athletes access to a more complete support system rather than treating training, diet and recovery as separate areas.
Commitment to Inclusion in Indian Sports
According to Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head of Acrophase at IIT Madras, the scholarship reflects the institute’s commitment to inclusion and equity in Indian sports.
The initiative represents a long-term investment in the country’s para-sports ecosystem. By making sports science and performance expertise available to para-athletes, the programme seeks to ensure that professional support reaches athletes from different backgrounds and disciplines.
The partnership also demonstrates how academic institutions can contribute to sports development. IIT Madras is bringing its scientific and administrative capabilities to a programme designed to create measurable outcomes for athletes.
SBI Foundation’s Contribution
SBI Foundation is providing financial and institutional support for the scholarship initiative.
Swapan Dhar, Managing Director of SBI Foundation, said the expanded phase aims to strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem and assist athletes preparing for major international competitions.
The success of the first group of scholars encouraged the partners to extend the programme to a larger number of athletes. Phase 2 is expected to identify and support individuals who have demonstrated competitive potential but require consistent resources to advance their sporting careers.
The programme also highlights the role that corporate social responsibility initiatives can play in promoting inclusive sports development.
IIT Madras to Manage End-to-End Implementation
IIT Madras will manage the complete implementation of the scholarship programme. Its responsibilities will include:
- Managing the application platform
- Reviewing applications
- Evaluating candidates
- Coordinating the selection process
- Providing sports science assessments
- Facilitating nutrition guidance
- Supporting athletes throughout the scholarship period
End-to-end implementation can improve transparency and continuity by ensuring that athletes receive coordinated support from the application stage until the completion of the scholarship.
It also enables the programme administrators to monitor progress, address challenges and maintain direct engagement with selected athletes.
Strengthening India’s Para-Sports Talent Pipeline
The expansion of the IIT Madras and SBI Foundation Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship Programme represents an important step towards building a stronger para-sports talent pipeline in India.
Financial support alone cannot guarantee sporting success. Athletes also require expert coaching, scientific assessments, proper nutrition, quality equipment and consistent opportunities to compete. By bringing several of these elements together, the scholarship creates a structured pathway for para-athletes seeking to perform at higher levels.
The programme may also encourage more aspiring athletes to consider para-sports as a sustainable professional career.
With 80 athletes receiving year-long financial and performance support, Phase 2 has the potential to contribute to India’s medal prospects at upcoming national and international competitions. More importantly, it can help create an inclusive sporting environment in which talent is supported through funding, science and personalised guidance.
Eligible para-athletes should complete their applications through the official portal before 9 August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the IIT Madras-SBI Foundation Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship?
It is a scholarship and athlete-development programme created by IIT Madras and SBI Foundation. It provides selected Indian para-athletes with financial assistance, sports science assessments, nutrition guidance and personalised support.
2. How much financial support will selected athletes receive?
Each selected para-athlete will receive a monthly scholarship of ₹40,000 for one year. This amounts to a total scholarship support of ₹4.8 lakh per athlete during the programme period.
3. How many athletes will be selected in Phase 2?
Phase 2 will support 80 para-athletes. The selected group will include 40 male and 40 female athletes.
4. Which sports are covered under the scholarship programme?
The eight eligible disciplines are archery, athletics, badminton, judo, powerlifting, shooting, swimming and taekwondo.
5. What is the last date to apply?
The application deadline for Phase 2 is 9 August 2026. Eligible athletes must submit their applications and supporting documents through the official portal before the deadline.