The upcoming elections of all national sports federations (NSFs) have been postponed by a year to facilitate the flawless adoption of the new electoral framework as laid down in the National Sports Governance Act, a move that will impact the All India Football Federation.

In a letter to the presidents of the Indian Olympic Association and NSFs on Monday, the Union sports ministry said postponement of upcoming elections till 31st December, 2026, has been decided as a part of transitional assessment to adopt the new NSG Act.

It means the NSF elections of football would be held only in 2027, and the existing Kalyan Chaubey-led executive committee would continue to remain in charge, subject to the approval of the general bodies of respective NSFs.

AIFF elections were due in September 2026, after completion of the Chaubey-led committee’s four-year term. The AIFF president Chaubey is also the joint-secretary of IOA.

Since NSFs require considerable “statutory, structural and procedural” changes once the Act gets notified, the ministry decided on a “one-time extension” for adequate preparation.

“In order to facilitate the smooth transition under the new governance framework as also to allow adequate time for implementation of the statutory requirements under the NSG Act, 2025 by the NSFs, it has been decided that those NSFs, whose elections are scheduled to be held in the coming months, except the cases where there are specific directions by Courts of Law, are allowed to defer the elections up to 31st December, 2026 – as a transitional measure,” Harikumar M, Director (Sports), of the ministry said.