Overview
- Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the government will cap the Aichi‑Nagoya contingent at 600 athletes and allow only competitors with realistic medal chances to travel.
- Selection will follow the 2025 rules that require continental top‑six/top‑eight benchmarks, Minimum Eligibility Requirements and videographed trials observed by independent officials.
- National federations’ team lists will be treated as recommendations and the final Sanction Order will be issued by the Ministry after scrutiny by the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Authority of India.
- The ranking cutoffs effectively rule out the men’s football team from the Games and have already triggered legal challenges such as the review of equestrian rider Anush Agarwalla’s omission.
- Officials say the policy is intended to improve India’s continental and Olympic prospects and to force federations to address governance and anti‑doping shortcomings that have drawn international scrutiny.