India enters 2036 Olympic bid: What it takes to become Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports, the key official to lead the Games
2036 Olympics India : India has officially entered the race to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad being named as the proposed host city. A high-level Indian delegation, including representatives from the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Gujarat government, and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha, recently met with International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials in Lausanne to present India's intent.
This marks India's first formal move in the bid process, following Brisbane's successful selection for the 2032 Games. The delegation used the meeting to share their vision for hosting the Olympics in Ahmedabad and to gather guidance from the IOC regarding the technical and strategic requirements of staging the event.
The Secretary will play a central role in Games management
Among the most critical figures in India's Olympic preparations will be the Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This senior bureaucrat will be responsible for coordinating national-level planning, overseeing government investments, and liaising with international partners including the IOC. The Secretary will work in close collaboration with the IOA, the Gujarat state government, and the yet-to-be-established Local Organising Committee.
As the top administrative official in the sports ministry, the Secretary will lead all inter-ministerial coordination and guide decisions relating to infrastructure, logistics, and legacy planning. Their role will also include reviewing policy frameworks, securing Cabinet approvals, and ensuring adherence to IOC standards throughout the planning and execution phases.
Qualifications required to become Secretary of Sports
To reach this position, a candidate must be a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), typically with over 20 years of experience in public administration. IAS officers are recruited through the highly competitive Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Successful candidates undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration before being posted to various state and central government departments.
Over the course of their careers, these officers handle responsibilities across a range of sectors, including finance, urban development, health, and infrastructure, before reaching senior roles such as Secretary to the Government of India. Appointments to Secretary-level posts are made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, often based on experience, performance, and domain expertise.
Ahmedabad's bid reflects India's Olympic vision
India's bid is built around the theme of inclusivity and national pride, highlighting that hosting the Olympics would allow over 600 million young Indians to experience the Games for the first time on home soil. The bid also embraces the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—emphasising unity and global cooperation.
As the IOC pauses its host city selection process to allow greater member involvement, India continues to position itself as a serious contender. With competition from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile, India's leadership—particularly the role of the Sports Secretary—will be crucial in transforming its Olympic vision into reality.
This marks India's first formal move in the bid process, following Brisbane's successful selection for the 2032 Games. The delegation used the meeting to share their vision for hosting the Olympics in Ahmedabad and to gather guidance from the IOC regarding the technical and strategic requirements of staging the event.
The Secretary will play a central role in Games management
Among the most critical figures in India's Olympic preparations will be the Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This senior bureaucrat will be responsible for coordinating national-level planning, overseeing government investments, and liaising with international partners including the IOC. The Secretary will work in close collaboration with the IOA, the Gujarat state government, and the yet-to-be-established Local Organising Committee.
As the top administrative official in the sports ministry, the Secretary will lead all inter-ministerial coordination and guide decisions relating to infrastructure, logistics, and legacy planning. Their role will also include reviewing policy frameworks, securing Cabinet approvals, and ensuring adherence to IOC standards throughout the planning and execution phases.
Qualifications required to become Secretary of Sports
To reach this position, a candidate must be a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), typically with over 20 years of experience in public administration. IAS officers are recruited through the highly competitive Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Successful candidates undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration before being posted to various state and central government departments.
Over the course of their careers, these officers handle responsibilities across a range of sectors, including finance, urban development, health, and infrastructure, before reaching senior roles such as Secretary to the Government of India. Appointments to Secretary-level posts are made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, often based on experience, performance, and domain expertise.
Ahmedabad's bid reflects India's Olympic vision
India's bid is built around the theme of inclusivity and national pride, highlighting that hosting the Olympics would allow over 600 million young Indians to experience the Games for the first time on home soil. The bid also embraces the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—emphasising unity and global cooperation.
As the IOC pauses its host city selection process to allow greater member involvement, India continues to position itself as a serious contender. With competition from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile, India's leadership—particularly the role of the Sports Secretary—will be crucial in transforming its Olympic vision into reality.
Next Story