Overview
- The Indian Olympic Association approved constitutional amendments at its Special General Body Meeting on Tuesday to align with the National Sports Governance Act 2025.
- The changes raise the upper age threshold to allow candidates aged 70–75 where international rules permit and permit up to three consecutive terms for key office‑bearers without a cooling‑off period.
- The General House retained the IOA’s 16‑member Executive Council structure rather than switching to the 15‑member model prescribed by the NSGA, a point likely to draw further scrutiny.
- The IOA submitted a preliminary draft to the International Olympic Committee and an IOA executive member said the IOC has shown the draft and has 'fundamentally no issues' with the amendments.
- The IOA did not set an election start date at the meeting; the expected sequence is Athletes' Commission elections by end‑October, selection of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit next, and full IOA leadership polls by the December 10, 2026 statutory deadline, and the BCCI may face similar fresh recognition once the National Sports Board becomes operational.