Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program

July 19, 2024

The Government's ambitious Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) program is set to get a fresh boost under the leadership of the Union Minister for Youth Affairs.

About Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Program:

  • It is aimed at school children between nine and 18 years age group.
  • The nation-wide scheme will have two main objectives:
    • To hunt talent from every nook and corner of the country and
    • To use sports as a tool to curb addiction towards drugs and other gadgetry distractions.
  • KIRTI made a solid launch across 50 centres in India. Fifty thousand applicants are being assessed in the first phase across 10 sports, including athletics, boxing, wrestling, hockey, football and wrestling.
  • It aims to conduct 20 lakh assessments across the country throughout the FY 2024-25 to identify talent through notified Talent Assessment Centres.
  • Its athlete-centric programme is conspicuous by its transparent selection methodology based on Information Technology. Data analytics based on Artificial Intelligence are being used to predict the sporting acumen of an aspiring athlete.
  • With its decentralized and pocket-based talent identification approach will help in achieving the twin objectives of the Khelo India Scheme i.e. excellence in sports, and mass participation in sports.