CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Landmark Scheme for Athletes; Govt Jobs and Big Rewards Announced
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a historic move aimed at revolutionising sports and digital education in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today unveiled a series of ambitious initiatives under the ‘Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana’ and the newly introduced ‘Mukhyamantri Digital Education Scheme’.
During a Cabinet meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat, the government approved record-breaking financial incentives for international and national-level sportspersons, along with Grade A government jobs for top medalists. At the same time, it announced sweeping reforms in digital education—establishing computer labs in government schools and distributing free laptops to meritorious Class 11 students.
Record Cash Awards and Government Jobs for Sportspersons
Under the revamped Sports Promotion Scheme, Delhi will now offer the highest cash rewards in India to Olympic and Paralympic medalists — Rs 7 crore for gold, Rs 5 crore for silver, and Rs 3 crore for bronze. Similar rewards are also extended to winners of the Asian, Commonwealth, and Para Games, positioning Delhi as the most rewarding state for sports talent.
Medal winners at the national level will receive Rs 11 lakh (gold), Rs 5 lakh (silver) and Rs 3 lakh (bronze). Additional provisions include:
-Training support up to Rs 5 lakh (Rs 20 lakh for elite athletes)
-Medical insurance up to Rs 10 lakh
-International travel support up to Rs 2 lakh for global tournaments
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, medal-winning athletes will now be eligible for Grade A, B, and C government jobs, based on the level of their achievements in Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth, and Para Games. This move is aimed at providing long-term job security and encouraging continued participation in sports.
Sports and Education Minister Ashish Sood hailed the announcement as a landmark step that will transform Delhi into a premier sporting hub.
Push for Digital Learning:-
-Computer Labs and Laptops for Students
In a parallel effort to strengthen digital education, the Cabinet approved the establishment of computer labs in 350 government school buildings across two phases—175 labs in 2025–26 and another 175 in 2026–27. Each lab will feature 40 desktop computers and modern digital learning tools. A dedicated Project Monitoring Unit will ensure smooth implementation, backed by a budget of Rs 50 crore.
Additionally, under the Mukhyamantri Digital Education Scheme, 1,200 top-performing Class 11 students will receive free laptops based on their Class 10 board results. This initiative will be implemented annually with a budget of Rs 7.5 crore, aiming to promote academic excellence and bridge the digital divide.
Inspired by National Vision
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said these initiatives are aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Khelo India and Fit India campaigns, as well as the broader goal of transforming India’s education and sports ecosystems.
With these announcements, Delhi has positioned itself at the forefront of sports promotion and digital empowerment, setting a precedent for other states to follow.