Khelo India KIRTI: AI For Grassroots Sports Talent In India

The landscape of sports talent identification in India is undergoing a revolutionary transformation through the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) program, marking the country's most ambitious attempt to systematically discover and nurture young sporting talent. Launched with the vision of establishing India among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and top 5 by 2047, KIRTI represents a paradigm shift from traditional, often subjective talent scouting methods to a comprehensive, technology-driven approach that promises to leave no stone unturned in the quest for sporting excellence.

The Digital Foundation of KIRTI

KIRTI has been conceptualized as an integrated talent identification architecture built on modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and global best practices. The program targets school children aged 9 to 18 years, aiming to streamline the entire grassroots talent identification process on a single, unified platform. This athlete-centric approach ensures that every step of the talent identification process is both broad-based and accessible, breaking down traditional barriers that may have previously prevented talented individuals from rural or remote areas from being discovered.

The digital architecture of KIRTI encompasses several sophisticated components designed to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accuracy in the talent identification process. The system includes a comprehensive web portal and integrated mobile applications for both Android and iOS platforms, featuring Aadhaar-based authentication, integration with the MyBharat portal, and automated generation of unique KIRTI IDs for registered athletes. Each athlete receives a digital ID card containing essential information including name, father's name, date of birth, blood type, current location, phone number, and a QR code for easy profile access, all integrated with DigiLocker for secure data storage and authentication.

Technological Innovation at Scale

The program leverages advanced technologies including artificial intelligence and data analytics to predict sporting potential in aspiring athletes. The KIRTI platform incorporates AI-enhanced assessment processes that improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency through automated video capture and analysis, reducing manual data entry errors while ensuring reliable metrics for height, weight, and test scores. The system also features offline data capture capabilities, allowing assessors in remote locations with limited internet connectivity to conduct evaluations and automatically upload data when connectivity is restored.

Real-time dashboards and analytics provide customizable insights for various stakeholders, including athletes, venue coordinators, and district or state administrators. These tools facilitate data-driven decision-making and include advanced analytics capabilities for performance comparisons and predictions, significantly enhancing the efficiency of talent identification processes. The platform also incorporates automated alert systems that notify relevant stakeholders when specific performance parameters are achieved by participants in their areas of focus.

Impressive Scale and Early Results

The magnitude of KIRTI's ambition becomes evident through its operational scale and early achievements. In its first phase launched in Chandigarh on March 12, 2024, the program generated 362,683 registrations across 70 centers, with approximately 51,000 assessments conducted across 28 states and Union Territories. Maharashtra and Haryana led with 9,168 and 4,820 assessments respectively, followed by Assam with 4,703 assessments.

The program currently evaluates athletes across 11 sporting disciplines: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. Athletics and Football saw the highest participation rates with 13,804 and 13,483 assessments respectively in the first phase. The ambitious target for fiscal year 2024-25 includes conducting 20 lakh assessments across the country through notified Talent Assessment Centers, making it the largest scouting and assessment program of its kind in India.

Scientific Assessment Methodology

KIRTI employs scientifically designed assessment protocols that provide a common yardstick for performance evaluation across different sports disciplines. Each Talent Assessment Center is equipped with standardized protocols to evaluate various physical and skill-based parameters relevant to different sports. The program plans to establish Bharat Benchmarks for performance measurement, creating a unified tool for assessment that can be applied consistently across the nation.

The assessment process is comprehensive, involving sports-specific coaches, physical education teachers, digital data operators, and volunteers at each center. On average, 120 athletes are evaluated per day at any given Talent Assessment Center, ensuring efficient processing while maintaining assessment quality. The duration of assessment drives varies based on registration numbers, but the systematic approach ensures thorough evaluation of each participant.

Integration with National Sports Ecosystem

The KIRTI platform is designed for seamless integration with existing national sports systems, including the National Sports Talent Search (NSTS) portal, FIT India Portal, National Sports Repository System (NSRS), and eKhelpathshala portal. This integration creates a unified ecosystem that leverages existing data and methodologies while expanding the reach and effectiveness of talent identification efforts.

The program's decentralized approach treats districts as units of assessment, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all states and Union Territories. This systematic methodology helps bridge existing data dissemination gaps among various stakeholders in the Indian sporting ecosystem, promoting standardization and common benchmarks for sports talent identification.

Transforming the Indian Sports Ecosystem

India's sports technology market presents a fertile ground for KIRTI's expansion and impact. The country's sports technology sector reached USD 442.4 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 1,479.2 million by 2033, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 13.32%. The sports analytics segment specifically is expected to grow from USD 48.90 million in 2024 to USD 180.97 million by 2033, demonstrating a robust 15.65% growth rate.

The broader sports technology market in India is experiencing unprecedented growth, with revenues expected to reach Rs 49,500 crore by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 13%. This growth trajectory creates significant opportunities for programs like KIRTI to leverage advanced technologies and expand their impact across the sporting ecosystem.

KIRTI's digital architecture aligns perfectly with India's broader digitalization initiatives and the government's substantial investment in sports development. The allocation of Rs 3,442.32 crore to the sports ministry, with Rs 900 crore specifically designated for Khelo India programs, demonstrates the government's commitment to systematic sports development. This financial backing, combined with the program's technological sophistication, positions KIRTI to fundamentally transform how India identifies and nurtures sporting talent.

Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity

The program's technology-driven approach addresses longstanding challenges in Indian sports talent identification, particularly the need to reach athletes in remote and underserved areas. The mobile application ensures that registration and assessment opportunities are accessible to young athletes regardless of their geographical location. The integration with existing government digital platforms like MyBharat and DigiLocker ensures that the system leverages familiar interfaces while maintaining high security standards.

KIRTI's transparent selection methodology based on information technology eliminates subjective biases that may have previously influenced talent identification processes. The use of standardized assessment protocols and AI-driven analytics ensures that every athlete is evaluated using consistent criteria, creating a level playing field for talent discovery.

Future Prospects and Expansion

The success of KIRTI's initial phases paves the way for expansion to cover all 20 Khelo India disciplines in subsequent phases. The program's scalable digital architecture can accommodate this growth while maintaining assessment quality and data integrity. The establishment of permanent Talent Assessment Centers across the country will enable year-round talent identification activities, moving beyond periodic assessment drives to continuous talent discovery.

The integration of emerging technologies such as computer vision, advanced biometric analysis, and predictive modeling will further enhance KIRTI's capabilities. These technological advancements will enable more sophisticated assessment methods and provide deeper insights into athlete potential and development trajectories.

KIRTI represents more than just a talent identification program; it embodies India's commitment to building a comprehensive, technology-enabled sports ecosystem that can compete with the world's best. By combining cutting-edge technology with systematic methodology and substantial government support, KIRTI is positioned to transform India's sporting landscape from the grassroots level upward. The program's success will be measured not just in the number of assessments conducted, but in its ability to discover and nurture the next generation of Indian sporting champions who will carry the nation's flag on international podiums.

As India continues its journey toward becoming a global sporting powerhouse, KIRTI's robust digital architecture provides the foundation for systematic, scientific, and scalable talent identification that can support the country's ambitious sporting goals for 2036 and beyond.