How an Indian Athlete Actually Gets Government Money

Khelo India scholarship pays roughly ₹6.28 lakh a year for up to 8 years to ~1,000 picked young athletes

TOPS sits above it: Development Group gets ₹25,000/month, Core Group ₹50,000/month as out-of-pocket allowance

The Mission Olympic Cell, chaired by the SAI Director General, decides who gets in and clears training budgets

TOPS lists are reviewed every six months, so a place is earned by results, not held for a full cycle

Real money flows to coaching, foreign stints and equipment — the monthly cash is only the visible tip