India has placed international sporting achievement at the center of its national development strategy, including a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

Historical context includes the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, which exposed governance failings and led to reforms, though criticisms of governance, transparency, and political influence remain.

Cricket and the Indian Premier League have been pivotal to India's global sports power, but governance challenges persist, including suspensions by international bodies and debates over funding allocation and inclusivity.

All seven bidders will present their projects virtually to the IOC’s Future Host Commission in November, with feasibility assessments to be completed by March 2027 and the opening of the Strategic Dialogue stage scheduled for March 2027.

Sport is increasingly intertwined with politics and national policy, as seen in IOC's UNobserver status, sport as an aid/development enabler, and state-backed investments in sports diplomacy.

India's governance reforms, notably the 2025 National Sports Governance Act and the National Sports Policy 2025, aim to align national bodies with international standards and pursue high-performance goals while expanding funding and grassroots development.

India’s bid centers on Ahmedabad, Gujarat, under the vision titled Rising Together, developed by the Indian Olympic Association after 18 months of IOC engagement.

IOA President P. T. Usha stated that India’s bid aims to inspire the nation and the world, highlighting sport’s role in shaping India's future and youth opportunities.

India's expanding role in world sport is linked to broader strategic moves, such as stronger Australia-India sports collaboration, BRICS sports initiatives, and the view of sport as a driver of soft power and economic growth.

India's sport strategy is part of a wider geopolitical narrative, with sports diplomacy shaping foreign policy, regional influence, and multi-national collaborations.

The final host election for the 2036 Games is expected in 2029, as part of the IOC’s Fit for the Future framework, with continued collaboration with all seven contenders as their proposals are developed.

The International Olympic Committee has officially confirmed seven National Olympic Committees as contenders to host the 2036 Olympic Games, including India, Germany, Hungary, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Türkiye, with all interested parties submitting proposals by the 31 October 2026 deadline.