The Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the SBI Foundation have launched the second phase of their Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship Program, expanding support to 80 athletes across eight Paralympic disciplines. Registration opened on August 4, 2026, and closes on August 9, 2026, with applications accepted through the SBI Foundation website.
Each selected athlete will receive a monthly stipend of ₹40,000 for one year. The program covers archery, athletics, badminton, judo, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, and taekwondo, with an equal split of 40 male and 40 female para-athletes.
Eligibility is limited to Indian para-athletes up to 35 years old who have represented their state or the country in recognised national or international competitions, subject to the programme's selection criteria and required documentation.
The initiative is spearheaded by Acrophase, IIT Madras's Centre of Excellence for Human Performance. Beyond the financial stipend, the centre will conduct sports science-based performance assessments, including biomechanical analysis, to help athletes identify areas for improvement and optimise competition preparation.
Athletes will also receive personalised sports nutrition guidance throughout the year to align dietary strategies with training and competition demands. Additional performance-related support will be provided as needed during the athletes' preparation periods.
Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head of Acrophase, stated that the expansion reflects a deepening commitment to inclusion and equity in Indian sports, bringing world-class sports science directly to para-athletes.
The programme aims to build an ecosystem where scientific support serves every athlete, framing the scholarship as a long-term investment in the future of India's para-sports.
Phase 1 details were not provided in the announcement; the current phase focuses on the expanded cohort and the integration of scientific assessment and nutrition services.
IIT Madras, SBI Foundation launch phase 2 of Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship Program
This is an independent summary. The complete reporting, supporting context and any primary documents remain with Hindustan Times.