Delhi High Court Directs Centre to Ensure Equal Participation of Male and Female Athletes

The Delhi High Court directed the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to ensure gender parity in National Sports Federations’ events.

It held that restricting female para-athletes to 8 slots per event in the 2nd Khelo India Para Games, 2025, while granting 16 to male athletes, is discriminatory and violates the National Sports Development Code, 2011.

The Court was hearing a plea by Rahul Kumar Verma challenging the Badminton Association of India's selection criteria.

It also stressed broader participation by including athletes from domestic, local, and Khelo India events.