FMSCI granted National Sports Federation status

The FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) has been provisionally recognised as a National Sports Federation (NSF) by the sports ministry. This move strengthens the motorsport governing body’s standing in India, as the government pushes to grow the racing ecosystem and bring more international events such as F1 back to the country. 

1. FMSCI now eligible for financial grants
2. Dedicated task force set up to assess India’s motorsport ecosystem

What does NSF status mean for Indian motorsport?

Headed by Arindam Ghosh, the FMSCI had applied for NSF status on June 11, 2026. As per an order dated July 23, 2026, the sports ministry has provisionally approved this request after relaxing some norms regarding the minimum affiliation required for state units.

NSF status means the FMSCI is now eligible for financial grants from the ministry. As part of the process, the FMSCI has been directed to amend its constitution and Memorandum of Association to align with the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The ministry has also reserved the right to revoke the recognition should the federation fail to comply with its guidelines.

Last month, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya had announced plans to set up a dedicated task force to assess the motorsport ecosystem in India. “The Task Force will evaluate the international, economic, tourism and investment benefits arising from hosting major motorsport events in India. It will also identify key priorities, infrastructure requirements and operational needs necessary for the sustainable development of the sector and submit its recommendations to the sports ministry,” Mandaviya added. 

The push to bring F1 back to India

The FMSCI being granted NSF status comes amid renewed momentum around India’s motorsport ambitions, particularly the possible return of the F1 Indian GP. The Adani Group, currently in the running to acquire the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), has confirmed it is exploring plans to revive the race at the venue, which hosted the Indian GP from 2011 to 2013 before it was dropped from the calendar. That was largely due to the Uttar Pradesh government’s taxation policy at the time, which classified F1 as entertainment rather than sport.

While Mandaviya had earlier suggested the Indian GP could return as soon as 2027, F1 has maintained that this timeline isn’t realistic, noting that organising races is a complex, time-intensive process.

In a recent interaction with FanCode, Formula 1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali confirmed that there is indeed “big interest” from the championship to return to India. But he also cautioned that a revival of the Indian GP is still several years away and will require several conditions to be met.

“It is very important to say that we need to feel the interest from all the stakeholders of India because this is a project that, when we reach back to your country, has to be big,” explained Domenicali. “It has to be the right one, with the right level of investment and the right level of people, because your market is just phenomenal. I just want to guarantee that we are going to be there for sure one day and in the right condition.”