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New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
NIT-R portal for NRI, foreign origin students admission to institutes
ROURKELA: To simplify admission of candidates for 105 institutes of the country eligible for both Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) and Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) special categories, the NIT-Rourkela has created a single common portal. The move is aimed at simplifying admission process for foreign-origin and NRI students. As coordinating institute for both DASA and CSAB, NIT-R has announced commencement of a common registration process for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate programmes. The institutes include 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, one IIEST, three SPAs and 44 technical institutes funded fully or partially by the central or state government for the academic year 2025-26. Students from over 50 countries including NRIs and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)/ Persons of Indian Origins (PIOs) are allowed admission in higher institutions through DASA. On the other hand, CSAB Special is primarily meant for students with Indian citizenship. CSAB-Special conducts supplementary admission rounds held after Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) to utilise the remaining seats across various centrally funded technical institutes and help prevent wastage. Reliable sources in the NIT-R explained that candidates with NRI status are eligible for admission both under DASA and CSAB-Special categories, while from 2023 onwards the candidates with OCI and PIO status too became eligible to apply in both categories. Previously, they were needed to apply in different portals making the process for seat allocation cumbersome and overlapping of applications also created confusion. Integration of two separate platforms with introduction of a common portal ( provides single registration window for two distinct admission schemes and will help reduce administrative burden, ensure clear timelines and simplify document handling or onboarding process, they added. Chairman for DASA & CSAB 2025 and NIT-R Director Prof. K Umamaheshwar Rao said the coordinated admission process reflects Indian government's commitment to simplifying global access to its higher education institutions. Chairman of the local organising committee Prof. Anindya Basu of NIT-R said students of Indian origin from across the world will now have access to a seamless, transparent, and integrated admission process. The joint portal will remove procedural overlaps, reduce candidate stress, and reflect India's commitment to modernising education governance, he added.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt stance regarding players of Indian origin a positive statement of intent: AIFF
New Delhi, All India Football Federation President Kalyan Chaubey finds merit in government's stance to encourage players of Indian origin living abroad to play for the country, saying it was "a ray of hope" for bettering national team's performance but he also underscored the difficulties in implementing the policy. Govt stance regarding players of Indian origin a positive statement of intent: AIFF The new Khelo Bharat Niti , which got Cabinet approval on July 1, signalled a departure from the government's earlier stand that only Indian passport holders can represent the country. "When it comes to the performance of the national team, one of the areas of the policy is something we have worked on actively the access to India's diaspora talent and I am happy that the policy included reference to the matter," Chaubey said a statement. "This is a positive statement of intent and the AIFF will continue to work with FIFA and the government to do all things possible to strengthen the national team. "For some years, there has been a clamour for the inclusion of players with OCI cards in the national team. We've seen countries like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Hongkong, Singapore, the Middle Eastern Nations, and those in Europe take advantage of Naturalised Players with dual citizenship to strengthen their teams." The ban on Overseas Citizens of India card holders from representing the country in 2008 prevented many players from contributing to India's growth in several sports. However, the 20-page Khelo Bharat Niti document stated that sports can serve as a powerful bridge between the Indian diaspora and the country, fostering emotional, cultural and social connections. "To strengthen this bond, dedicated sporting events and leagues can be organized specifically for and among the Indian diaspora," it said. "Wherever feasible, promising and prominent Indian-origin athletes living abroad may be encouraged to come back and play for India at the international level." Chaubey, though, hinted at possible obstacles in taking advantage of the policy. "Some clarifications in the Indian context might be helpful at this stage. As per the FIFA Statutes a player must hold a passport of a nation he or she wishes to represent and must produce it on match day," he said. "While an OCI card grants certain social and economic rights to an individual, it is not equivalent to an Indian passport. Given that our laws do not provide for dual citizenship, it is up to us strategies how we may capitalise on the opportunity to access the diaspora talent and integrate them into the national teams as per the FIFA regulations as well as Indian citizenship law. "The policy direction provides a ray of hope and we are intent on exploring it to its logical conclusion," he added. The AIFF had formed a task force on this matter in August 2023 and Chaubey had last month said that the national federation has contacted 33 OCI players across the world. "AIFF is aligned with the law of the land, but it is actively involved in securing OCI players. It's a process. Even if there is a list of 300 OCI players, they have to be eligible to play for India," he had said. "We have made a list of such players and when we get the OCI cards we will give to them and select them by sitting with the head coach." Chaubey also said the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 marked a significant policy milestone in transforming the role of sports, particularly from the perspective of football. He said at the grassroots level, the AIFF has plans in place to progress talented individuals from eight years of age right up to the senior level. "At the lowest age category, 8-10, football is made accessible for the children. When they progress to 12-13 years of age, they are introduced to competitions. "As they further move on to the U17 and U18 levels, they get high performance training and then on to the U18s and U20s, is transition from youth to professional level," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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First Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Overseas players to be approached as National Sports Policy 2025 aims to transform India as a sporting nation
Allowing Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to represent India in sport has been a widely discussed topic in recent years, especially in football, and National Sports Policy 2025, which replaces National Sports Policy 2001, intends to make that possible besides making the 2036 Olympics in the country a reality. read more The inclusion of overseas players of Indian origin has been widely discussed in football in recent months. Image: PTI In what could be a game-changing move for India in sports such as football, overseas players of Indian origin will be encouraged to play for the country as per National Sports Policy 2025, which was unveiled by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. The new policy, titled 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025' in Hindi, replaces National Sports Policy 2001 and aims to reshape the country's sporting landscape by 2047 – on the 100th anniversary of India's independence from Britain – with the focus on hosting the Summer Olympics in 2036. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Discussion on the inclusion of overseas players of Indian origin had gained momentum in recent months, especially after Bangladesh got former Leicester City defensive midfielder Hamza Choudhary on board, and with the Blue Tigers experience a sharp decline in their on-field performance which has resulted in a freefall in the FIFA rankings. A 2008 ban on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders from representing India has impacted the country's fortunes in sports such as football and tennis, leaving Indian passport holders as the only people eligible to play for the country which the new policy aims to rectify going forward. The 20-page document, however, states that India makes mention of Peace and International Cooperation Activities through Sports, with New Delhi aiming to harness the power of sport and use it for international diplomacy and co-operation. 'Wherever feasible, promising and prominent Indian-origin athletes living abroad may be encouraged to come back and play for India at the international level,' it states. 'Together, these efforts can transform sport into a dynamic tool of cultural diplomacy and nation-building, strengthening the global Indian identity.' 'This is the next chapter in India's sports ecosystem' Tennis legend Mahesh Bhupati, a multiple Grand Slam winner in men's as well as mixed doubles and has also co-founded the World Padel League, hailed the new policy for reflecting the country's ambition of becoming a 'global sporting powerhouse'. 'The National Sports Policy 2025 reflects India's growing ambition to be recognised as a global sporting powerhouse. What's exciting is that this policy doesn't just focus on established sports but also creates space for emerging ones like padel. The emphasis on building competitive leagues, developing infrastructure across rural and urban areas, and driving private sector collaboration is exactly what newer sports like padel need to flourish. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'This is the next chapter in India's sports ecosystem - one that will fuel participation, investment, and global excellence. We are excited to be part of this journey by bringing the World Padel League to India and making padel a mainstream sport, as India broadens its sporting horizons. Here's to many more sporting milestones in the future!' Bhupathi said. Nasir Ali, Founder and CEO of Gallant Sports, described it as a 'monumental day for Indian sports'. 'The approval of the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 marks a monumental day for Indian sports and, by extension, the sports infrastructure sector. As a leading manufacturer in this space, we are incredibly enthusiastic about the policy's comprehensive vision—particularly its focus on strengthening sports programs from grassroots to elite levels, its commitment to developing infrastructure in both rural and urban areas, and its emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for economic development. 'The government's landmark decision to include sports infrastructure under the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure Sub-sectors is a huge step forward, opening up institutional credit, attracting greater investment, and empowering companies like Gallant Sports to fast-track the creation of world-class facilities nationwide,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Besides the inclusion of OCIs as well as helping India achieve its dream of hosting the Olympics, the National Sports Policy also eyes the revival of indigenous sports, inculcate a culture of fitness across the country at all ages
India Today
02-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Indian-origin players abroad may now represent India under new National Sports Policy
Players of Indian origin living abroad will be encouraged to play for the country, according to the newly-unveiled National Sports Policy, also referred to as the Khelo Bharat Niti, signalling a departure from the government's earlier stance that only Indian passport holders can represent the ban on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders from representing the country in 2008 has affected India's growth in sports such as football and the 20-page Khelo Bharat Niti document stated that India will seek Peace and International Cooperation Activities through Sports so that "Sports can serve as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and cooperation." "Wherever feasible, promising and prominent Indian-origin athletes living abroad may be encouraged to come back and play for India at the international level," it states."Together, these efforts can transform sport into a dynamic tool of cultural diplomacy and nation-building, strengthening the global Indian identity."Currently, only Indian passport holders are allowed to compete for the the ministry has been mulling revocation of that ban to ensure that 'India's sporting ecosystem can be strengthened'.According to the new policy, India will promote international sports exchange programmes "to allow knowledge sharing, capacity building and collaborative development efforts".advertisement"Sports can serve as a powerful bridge between the Indian diaspora and India, fostering enduring emotional, cultural and social connections. To strengthen this bond, dedicated sporting events and leagues can be organized specifically for and among the Indian diaspora."FOOTBALL KEEN ON OCIsThe All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been particularly keen on allowing OCIs, even though there are no major names who can be considered for India even if the ban is tennis, Prakash Amritraj — son of the legendary Vijay Amritraj — was one of several prominent US passport holders affected by the ban on OCI card holders. He had represented India in 10 Davis Cup ties between 2003 and 2008, before the restrictions came into force and barred players like him from continuing.- Ends
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Business Standard
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Khelo Bharat Niti may let Indian-origin athletes compete abroad
Players of Indian origin living abroad will be encouraged to play for the country, according to the newly-unveiled National Sports Policy, also referred to as the Khelo Bharat Niti, signalling a departure from the government's earlier stance that only Indian passport holders can represent the country. The ban on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders from representing the country in 2008 has affected India's growth in sports such as football and tennis. However, the 20-page Khelo Bharat Niti document stated that India will seek Peace & International Cooperation Activities through Sports so that "Sports can serve as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and cooperation." "Wherever feasible, promising and prominent Indian-origin athletes living abroad may be encouraged to come back and play for India at the international level," it states. "Together, these efforts can transform sport into a dynamic tool of cultural diplomacy and nation-building, strengthening the global Indian identity." Currently, only Indian passport holders are allowed to compete for the nation. However, the ministry has been mulling revocation of that ban to ensure that India's sporting ecosystem can be strengthened. According to the new policy, India will promote international sports exchange programmes "to allow knowledge sharing, capacity building and collaborative development efforts". "Sports can serve as a powerful bridge between the Indian diaspora and India, fostering enduring emotional, cultural and social connections. To strengthen this bond, dedicated sporting events and leagues can be organized specifically for and among the Indian diaspora." The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been particularly keen on allowing OCIs, even though there are no major names who can be considered for India even if the ban is revoked. In tennis, Prakash Amritraj son of the legendary Vijay Amritraj was one of several prominent US passport holders affected by the ban on OCI card holders. He had represented India in 10 Davis Cup ties between 2003 and 2008, before the restrictions came into force and barred players like him from continuing.
