Stop searching for a shortcut. There isn’t one.
You want to compete on the biggest national stage for young athletes in India. You want that scholarship. You want the glory. But before you can dream about the podium, you have to conquer the paperwork. Specifically, the online registration portal.
It sounds boring. It is boring. But it is also the gatekeeper. Every year, we see talented athletes at the Institute of Sports Sciences, ISST get disqualified not because they lacked skill, but because they messed up their application. A blurry photo. A wrong date of birth. A missed deadline.
Don’t let that be you.
This isn’t just a generic overview. This is the exact, step-by-step blueprint on how to register for Khelo India Youth Games online. We are going to walk you through the portal, the glitches, and the hidden requirements that most guides miss.
Key Takeaways
- Official Portal Only: Registration happens only via the NSRS portal (nsrs.kheloindia.gov.in).
- Document Specs Matter: Incorrect file sizes for Aadhaar or photos will reject your form instantly.
- NSRS ID is Forever: This ID tracks your entire career. Do not lose it.
- Deadlines are Strict: Unlike local tournaments, there is zero grace period here.
Step 0: Before You Even Click the Link
Most athletes rush to the website immediately. That is a mistake.
The portal has a session timeout. If you take too long searching for your birth certificate while the page is open, it will log you out. You will lose your data. You will have to start over.
Get these files ready on your desktop or phone before you start:
- Recent Passport Size Photo: JPG format. Under 50KB. (Yes, it’s small. Use an online compressor).
- Aadhaar Card: Scanned copy. PDF or JPG. Ensure the number is readable.
- Date of Birth Proof: Birth certificate or Matriculation certificate.
- Bank Account Details: Passbook scan. This is vital for the scholarship money.
Got them? Good. Now we can talk about the process.
And if you are wondering why this process is so strict, it’s about the benefits involved. We are talking about potential annual scholarships of ₹5 Lakhs for eight years. We cover the full scope of these benefits in our main guide: Khelo India Games: The Ultimate Guide to Eligibility, Scholarships & Careers (2026). Make sure you bookmark that for later.
Step 1: Accessing the NSRS Portal
The Khelo India Youth Games operates on the National Sports Repository System (NSRS). This is a massive database of every serious athlete in the country.
Go to nsrs.kheloindia.gov.in.
You will see options for different stakeholders: Athlete, Coach, Manager, etc. You are clicking on ‘Athlete’.
Pro Tip: Do not use a mobile browser if you can avoid it. The dropdown menus often glitch on smaller screens. Use a laptop or desktop for a smoother experience.
Step 2: The Registration Form (The Tricky Parts)
Once you click ‘Register as an Athlete’, you will see a form. It looks simple. It’s not.
The Basic Details
Fill in your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card. If your Aadhaar says “Rahul S. Sharma” and you write “Rahul Sharma”, verification might fail later. Consistency is key.
The Mobile Number
Use a number that is active. You will receive an OTP. More importantly, this number will receive updates about trial dates and venue changes.
Warning: Do not use a cyber cafe owner’s number. We have seen athletes miss their trial dates because the SMS went to a random shopkeeper who didn’t care.
Step 3: Creating Your Profile and Login
After the initial OTP verification, you aren’t done. You have just created a login. Now you have to build the profile.
Log in with your new credentials. You will be greeted by a dashboard. You need to navigate to the ‘My Profile’ section to complete the data entry.
This is where you upload the documents we prepared in Step 0.
- Education Details: Be honest. If you are in school, put it down.
- Sports Discipline: Select your sport carefully. You cannot change this easily later. If you play both Kabaddi and Kho-Kho, you generally have to pick your primary discipline for the specific game cycle.
Speaking of Kabaddi, if that is your focus, the competition is fierce. You might want to read about The Unstoppable Journey of Kabaddi in India to understand the legacy you are stepping into.
Step 4: The KIG ID and NSRS ID
Once your profile is 100% complete and you hit submit, you don’t get a ticket immediately. You get a status: Pending Verification.
Your application goes to the relevant verify officer. Once approved, you are generated a unique KIG ID (Khelo India Games ID) or NSRS ID.
Write this number down. Tattoo it on your brain (figuratively).
You will need this ID for:
- Entering the stadium.
- Lodging complaints.
- Checking results.
- Applying for future government schemes.
Common Technical Glitches & How to Fix Them
At Institute of Sports Sciences, ISST, we often help students troubleshoot these portals. Here are the most common issues:
“File Upload Failed”
This usually means your internet connection flickered or the file is 1KB over the limit.
Fix: Compress the file again. Clear your browser cache. Try again.
“Invalid Captcha”
The captcha on government sites can be aggressive.
Fix: Refresh the captcha twice before entering it. It sounds silly, but it works.
“Aadhaar Verification Failed”
This happens if the server is overloaded.
Fix: Try late at night or early morning (post 11 PM or pre-6 AM). Traffic is lower.
Beyond Registration: The Selection Trials
Registering online is just the administrative step. It doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the games.
This is where people get confused.
Registration gets you into the system. Selection happens on the ground.
- State Level Trials: After registering, keep an eye on your State Sports Association’s website. They will announce trial dates.
- School Games Federation of India (SGFI): Performing well in SGFI nationals is often a direct route to Khelo India selection.
- Nominations: Top athletes are often nominated directly by the National Sports Federations based on ranking.
Even if you are nominated, you must have an NSRS profile. No profile, no entry. That’s the rule.
Is This Your Career Path?
Participating in Khelo India is a massive milestone. But what if you don’t make the cut? Or what if you retire at 25?
The sports industry is bigger than just the athletes on the field. At ISST, we train the people who manage these games. The team behind the registration portal? Likely sports management professionals. The people marketing the event? Sports managers.
If you love sports but want a backup plan (or a primary career), you should look into a Bachelor in Sports Management. It’s the launchpad to the multi-billion dollar side of this industry.
And frankly, understanding the management side gives you an edge as an athlete. You understand how the system works. You understand contracts. You understand value.
Detailed FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Is there a registration fee for Khelo India Youth Games?
No, registration is completely free. If any third-party website asks you for money to register, it is a scam. Always use the official nsrs.kheloindia.gov.in portal.
2. Can I register if I don’t have an Aadhaar card?
It is very difficult. Aadhaar is the primary mode of verification to prevent age fraud. If you don’t have one, you will need to contact your State Sports Council immediately for an alternative verification method.
3. What is the age limit for 2026?
For the Under-17 category, you must be below 17 years of age on the cutoff date (usually January 1st). For Under-21, you must be below 21. Check the specific notification for the exact year of birth allowed.
4. Can I change my sport after registration?
Not easily. You would likely need to delete your profile and start over, or contact the technical support team. It is better to choose correctly the first time.
5. How do I know if my registration is accepted?
You will receive an SMS and email confirmation. You can also log in to your dashboard; the status should change from ‘Pending’ to ‘Active’ or ‘Verified’.
6. Can OCI cardholders participate?
Generally, Khelo India is for Indian citizens residing in India. However, rules regarding OCI cardholders have fluctuated in Indian sports. Check the latest circulars on the website for the current year’s policy.
7. What if I forget my password?
There is a ‘Forgot Password’ link on the login page. You will need access to the mobile number or email you used during the initial sign-up to reset it.
8. Does registration guarantee a scholarship?
No. Registration allows you to participate. Scholarships are awarded only to identified talent who perform exceptionally well (usually medal winners or top-tier performers) and are selected by the Talent Identification Development Committee (TIDC).
The Bottom Line
Registration is the easy part. The training is the hard part.
Get the paperwork out of the way today. Don’t let a bureaucratic hurdle trip you up. Go to the portal, follow the steps, and get your NSRS ID.
Then, get back to training.
And if you are serious about a life in sports—whether as an athlete, a manager, or a scientist—you need the right education to back up your passion. Check out our BSc in Sports Sciences to see how science can improve your performance.
Ready to register? Go do it.
