Introduction of Uttarakhand Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme: A Brief Insight

In many hill villages of Uttarakhand, reaching the nearest gym requires time, travel and money. As a result, young people often miss out on regular exercise. The Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme (Gramin Khelkud evam Swasthya Samvardhan Yojana) brings fitness facilities directly to villages through open gyms that everyone can use.

Under this scheme, the Government of Uttarakhand provides a one-time grant of ₹17,960 to the Mangal Dal of each Gram Panchayat to purchase community fitness equipment. The Chief Minister has also announced directions for setting up rural youth health promotion centres under the scheme, along with a budget provision of more than ₹2 crore.

The Department of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD), Uttarakhand, implements the scheme as its nodal department. Regional and District Youth Welfare and PRD Officers examine proposals and supervise the implementation work.

The main objective is to encourage rural youth to adopt a healthy lifestyle through regular physical activity. The scheme takes the message of the Fit India Movement to remote villages and gives local youth groups a community facility to manage and maintain.

The financial assistance is a one-time grant for each Gram Panchayat. The department transfers the amount to the Mangal Dal’s bank account, and the village uses it to establish the open gym. The grant is not recurring, which means the same Gram Panchayat does not receive it every year for the same purpose.

Every Gram Panchayat in Uttarakhand can participate, subject to the scheme’s conditions. The Department has a Yuvak Mangal Dal and a Mahila Mangal Dal in every Gram Panchayat. Its portal lists 6,822 Mahila Mangal Dals and 6,372 Yuvak Mangal Dals. Interested men and women aged 18 years or above can join these groups.

The village can propose an accessible public location for the open gym, such as a playground, Panchayat land, school ground or land belonging to a government department. However, the Gram Sabha must approve the proposal and the selected site before the application moves forward.

The application process takes place offline through the Gram Panchayat and the Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer. The village selects a suitable location, obtains a Gram Sabha resolution and submits the proposal with the required documents. The concerned officer examines the proposal, and the approved grant is transferred to the Mangal Dal’s bank account. For assistance, villagers can contact the Directorate in Dehradun at ykprd.uk@gmail.com.

Young players who need financial support for their training can also explore the Mukhyamantri Khiladi Protsahan Yojana. Those interested in support for emerging sports talent can read about the Mukhyamantri Udayman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana.

Villagers, youth groups, Gram Panchayats and readers looking for more sports, youth development and welfare programmes can explore the List of Welfare Schemes of the Uttarakhand Government page to find other schemes offered by the State Government.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

In many hill villages of Uttarakhand, people have to travel long distances to reach a gym or fitness centre. This makes regular exercise difficult, especially for young people. The Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme (Gramin Khelkud evam Swasthya Samvardhan Yojana), implemented by the Department of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD), brings fitness facilities closer to villagers by supporting the installation of open gyms. The village Mangal Dal takes responsibility for setting up and maintaining this facility.

Financial Assistance for Open Gyms

• A one-time grant of ₹17,960 for each Gram Panchayat
• The grant amount is transferred to the Mangal Dal’s bank account of the concerned Gram Panchayat
• The financial assistance helps purchase community fitness equipment for setting up an open gym
• The scheme covers all Gram Panchayats in Uttarakhand, irrespective of their size
• The grant is provided only once and does not involve recurring financial assistance

Benefits for the Village Community

• An open gym within the village, allowing residents to exercise without travelling to nearby towns
• A convenient public space for regular physical activity and fitness
• Encouragement for young people and other villagers to develop a healthy exercise routine
• Promotion of the Fit India Movement in rural and remote areas of Uttarakhand
• A shared fitness facility that complements existing village playgrounds and community activities

Benefits for the Mangal Dal

• A greater role in village development through the installation and maintenance of the open gym
• Responsibility for managing the grant and maintaining the equipment, which strengthens the Mangal Dal’s role in the community
• An opportunity to combine available funds, as permitted by the Department, to purchase additional fitness equipment
• A chance to contribute to community welfare through activities that complement the Mangal Dal’s existing work in social service and disaster response

Support from the Department

• The Department of Youth Welfare and PRD acts as the nodal department and provides guidance regarding equipment, installation and maintenance under its latest directions
• District Youth Welfare and PRD Officers, along with regional officers, supervise the implementation of the scheme
• The concerned Regional Officer examines the proposal and releases the grant after approval

Coverage and Progress of the Scheme

• The Department has registered 6,822 Mahila Mangal Dals and 6,372 Yuvak Mangal Dals, taking the total to 13,194 groups
• The State has allocated more than ₹2 crore for the scheme, as announced by the Chief Minister
• The Department’s portal lists open gym locations in Champawat district, including Dubadzonal, Tanakpur, Mudiyani, Narsingdanda, Paleo and Reghadi

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme (Gramin Khelkud evam Swasthya Samvardhan Yojana) supports villages across Uttarakhand by providing a one-time grant to the Mangal Dal of a Gram Panchayat. The eligibility conditions mainly relate to the Gram Panchayat, its Mangal Dal and the proposed location for the open gym. Individual villagers cannot claim this grant in their personal capacity.

Who Is Eligible

• Any Gram Panchayat in Uttarakhand
• A Gram Panchayat that has a Yuvak Mangal Dal or Mahila Mangal Dal associated with the Department of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD)
• A Mangal Dal that is willing and able to install the open gym equipment and take responsibility for its maintenance
• A Gram Panchayat whose Gram Sabha approves the open gym proposal and the selected location
• A Gram Panchayat applying for the one-time grant to establish an open gym in the village

Conditions for the Site

• The proposed open gym must be located at an accessible public place within the Gram Panchayat
• Suitable locations may include a playground, Panchayat land, school ground or land belonging to a government department
• The location must be open, safe and convenient for villagers of different age groups
• If the site belongs to a school or another government department, the concerned authority must give permission for its use

Conditions for the Mangal Dal

• The Department of Youth Welfare and PRD forms one Yuvak Mangal Dal and one Mahila Mangal Dal in every Gram Panchayat
• Any interested man or woman from the village who is at least 18 years old can become a Mangal Dal member
• The Mangal Dal must be registered or linked with the Department to receive the scheme benefits
• The Mangal Dal must have an active bank account to receive the grant amount
• As permitted under the Department’s directions, the Mangal Dal may also use funds available under its other scheme to purchase additional open gym equipment

How a Villager Can Become Part of a Mangal Dal

• An interested person can approach the Gram Sabha and request approval for membership in the village Mangal Dal
• The Gram Sabha’s proposal is forwarded to the Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer concerned
• Since every Gram Panchayat has a Yuvak Mangal Dal and a Mahila Mangal Dal, eligible villagers can approach the respective group to join as members

Who Is Not Eligible

• Gram Panchayats located outside Uttarakhand
• Private clubs or other groups that are not recognised as a Mangal Dal under the Department of Youth Welfare and PRD
• Individuals seeking the grant for personal use, as the assistance supports a village-level open gym and is provided to the Mangal Dal
• Applicants seeking funds for sports coaching, stadium construction or activities outside the scope of this open gym scheme
• Requests for a second grant for the same purpose in the same Gram Panchayat, as the scheme provides one-time assistance

Documents Required to be Attached

The Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme (Gramin Khelkud evam Swasthya Samvardhan Yojana), implemented by the Department of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD), Uttarakhand, provides a one-time grant to the Mangal Dal of a Gram Panchayat for setting up an open gym. Therefore, the application documents mainly relate to the Gram Sabha’s approval, the Mangal Dal, the proposed site and its bank account.

The Department has not published a single fixed document list on its public pages. The following documents are generally relevant to such a proposal. Before submitting your application, confirm the exact requirements with your Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer.

Papers of the Gram Sabha

• Gram Sabha resolution approving the open gym and its proposed location
• Minutes of the Gram Sabha meeting, including the meeting date and attendance details
• Copy of the resolution signed and certified by the Gram Pradhan or Gram Panchayat Secretary
• Gram Panchayat letter identifying the Mangal Dal responsible for managing the open gym

Papers of the Mangal Dal

• Registration proof of the Yuvak Mangal Dal or Mahila Mangal Dal with the Department of Youth Welfare and PRD
• List of Mangal Dal members, mentioning their names, addresses and ages
• Proof that all members are at least 18 years old
• Name and contact details of the Mangal Dal president and secretary
• Mangal Dal resolution accepting the grant and taking responsibility for the maintenance of the gym equipment

Identity Papers of the Members and Office Holders

• Aadhaar Cards of the Mangal Dal president and secretary
• Permanent residence certificates of Mangal Dal members, if required by the Department
• Passport-size photographs of the president and secretary
• Active mobile numbers of the president and secretary

Papers of the Site

• Details of the proposed open gym location, such as a playground, Panchayat land, school ground or accessible land belonging to another government department
• Proof of government or Gram Panchayat ownership, or consent from the landowner
• No-objection certificate from the school or concerned department if the open gym is proposed on its land
• Site map or sketch bearing the Gram Pradhan’s signature
• Photographs of the proposed location before installation begins

Bank Details

• Details of the Mangal Dal’s bank account, in which the grant amount will be deposited
• Copy of the bank passbook or a cancelled cheque showing the account number and IFSC code
• Names of the authorised persons who can operate the bank account

Papers After the Equipment Is Installed

• Original bills and payment receipts for the open gym equipment purchased by the Mangal Dal
• Photographs of the installed open gym, preferably showing the Mangal Dal members
• Confirmation letter from the Gram Panchayat that the equipment has been installed at the location approved by the Gram Sabha
• Record of the person or members responsible for maintaining the open gym and keeping the equipment in good condition

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

You can apply for the Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme (Gramin Khelkud evam Swasthya Samvardhan Yojana) through your Gram Panchayat and the Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer. There is no need for an individual villager to apply for the grant personally. First, the village selects a suitable place for the open gym, then the Gram Sabha approves the proposal. After checking the proposal, the concerned officer processes the grant, which is deposited into the Mangal Dal’s bank account.

Follow the steps below to understand the complete application process, from joining a Mangal Dal to setting up the open gym.

Before You Start

Step 1: Make sure your village falls under a Gram Panchayat in Uttarakhand, as this scheme is meant for the State’s villages.

Step 2: Find out whether your Gram Panchayat has a Yuvak Mangal Dal or a Mahila Mangal Dal.

Step 3: Visit the Department’s official pages for Yuvak Mangal Dals and Mahila Mangal Dals to understand their role and activities.

Step 4: Check the open gym list on the Department’s portal to see examples of fitness facilities set up under the scheme.

Step 5: Read the scheme details on its official myScheme page before preparing your proposal.

Step 6: Remember that the scheme provides a one-time grant of ₹17,960 to the Mangal Dal. It is not an individual payment to a villager.

Join or Form a Mangal Dal

Step 1: Contact your Gram Pradhan or Gram Panchayat Secretary and ask who manages the Yuvak Mangal Dal or Mahila Mangal Dal in your village.

Step 2: Meet the members of the Mangal Dal and tell them that you want to become a member or participate in the open gym initiative.

Step 3: Make sure you are at least 18 years old, as the membership condition requires members to meet this age limit.

Step 4: If you are a new member, ask the Gram Sabha to pass a proposal for your inclusion in the Mangal Dal.

Step 5: Submit the proposal to the Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer of your area for the required action.

Step 6: The Mangal Dal should identify its president and secretary to coordinate the proposal and communicate with the concerned officers.

Choose a Site for the Open Gym

Step 1: Visit different places in the village with the Mangal Dal members and Gram Pradhan to find a suitable location.

Step 2: Select a place that is open, safe and easy to reach for villagers of different age groups.

Step 3: Consider a playground, Panchayat land, school ground or land belonging to a government department.

Step 4: If the selected land belongs to a school or another department, obtain written permission from the concerned authority.

Step 5: Prepare a simple sketch or map of the proposed location and take photographs of the site before installation.

Pass a Proposal in the Gram Sabha

Step 1: Request the Gram Pradhan to include the open gym proposal in the agenda of the next Gram Sabha meeting.

Step 2: Attend the meeting along with the Mangal Dal members and explain the purpose of the proposed open gym.

Step 3: Tell the villagers why the village needs this facility and explain where you plan to install the equipment.

Step 4: Request the Gram Sabha to pass a resolution approving the open gym and its proposed location.

Step 5: Ask the Gram Panchayat Secretary to record the decision in the meeting register and provide a signed copy of the resolution.

Prepare and Submit Your Proposal

Step 1: Keep the signed Gram Sabha resolution in your application folder.

Step 2: Attach the Mangal Dal’s registration or departmental association proof and its complete membership list.

Step 3: Add the Mangal Dal’s bank details, along with a copy of its passbook or a cancelled cheque.

Step 4: Attach the site sketch, photographs and written permission from the landowner or concerned department, wherever required.

Step 5: Check the circulars and forms available on the Department’s portal. Also, ask the concerned officer whether you need to attach any additional documents.

Step 6: Submit the complete proposal to the Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer and collect an acknowledgement or receipt.

What Will Happen After You Submit the Proposal

Step 1: The concerned officer examines your proposal, documents and selected location.

Step 2: If the officer wants to inspect the site, help with the visit and show the exact location approved by the Gram Sabha.

Step 3: Wait for the approval decision. If you do not receive an update, contact the Regional Officer or District Youth Welfare and PRD Officer to check the proposal’s status.

Step 4: After approval, check the Mangal Dal’s bank account for the grant amount of ₹17,960.

Set Up the Open Gym

Step 1: Hold a meeting with the Mangal Dal members and decide which fitness equipment the village needs.

Step 2: Purchase the equipment from a reliable supplier and collect a proper bill or receipt for every item.

Step 3: Install the equipment at the same location that the Gram Sabha approved. Do not shift it to another place without the required permission.

Step 4: Take clear photographs of the open gym after completing the installation.

Step 5: Keep all purchase bills, receipts and installation photographs safely with the Mangal Dal’s records.

Step 6: Assign responsibility to Mangal Dal members for cleaning the area, checking the equipment and keeping the open gym safe for villagers.

If You Need Help

Step 1: Contact the Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer responsible for your area. This should be your first point of contact for application-related questions.

Step 2: If you need further assistance, approach the District Youth Welfare and PRD Officer of your district.

Step 3: You can also use the Department’s official contact page to send your query to the Directorate in Dehradun.

Important: The scheme provides a one-time grant directly to the Mangal Dal’s bank account. Do not pay any middleman who promises to arrange approval or release the money. Since the Department may update its instructions, confirm the latest application process and document requirements with your Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer before submitting the proposal.

Sports and Youth Schemes of Uttarakhand: Which One Is for You

The Uttarakhand Government runs several schemes to support rural youth, Mangal Dals and emerging sportspersons. Some schemes provide financial assistance to village groups, while others focus on individual players and sports development. The comparison below explains the purpose of each scheme and helps you identify the right one for your needs.

If your village needs a common place for exercise, the Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme is the relevant option. Mangal Dals looking for support for their group activities can explore the Mangal Dal Swavalamban Yojana. Young players seeking scholarships or sports equipment assistance should check the athlete-focused schemes instead.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Mero Yuva Portal: Official website of the Department of Youth Welfare and PRD, Uttarakhand
• Open Gym List: Check open gym locations across Uttarakhand by district
• Yuvak Mangal Dal: Details of registered youth groups in Gram Panchayats
• Mahila Mangal Dal: Information about registered women’s groups in Uttarakhand
• Department Downloads: Access scheme documents, circulars and application forms
• Official Notifications: Check the latest notices issued by the Department
• Uttarakhand Youth Schemes: Explore government schemes and facilities for young people
• Khel Maidaan: Find information about village playgrounds in Uttarakhand
• Rural Sports and Health Promotion Scheme: Check scheme details and the ₹17,960 open gym grant
• Contact the Department: Get contact details of the Directorate of Youth Welfare and PRD, Uttarakhand

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Directorate: Department of Youth Welfare and PRD, Government of Uttarakhand, 05, Tapovan Ashram Road, Ladpur, Dehradun – 248008, Uttarakhand
• Email: ykprd.uk@gmail.com, youthwelfareuttarakhand@gmail.com
• Secretariat Office: Department of Youth Welfare and PRD, Uttarakhand Secretariat, Subhash Road, Dehradun – 248001
• District Level: The District Youth Welfare and PRD Officer in the office of your district, who supervises the work of the Department in the district
• Regional Level: The Regional Youth Welfare and PRD Officer of your area, who checks the proposal and recommends the grant
• Village Level: The Gram Pradhan and the Gram Panchayat Secretary of your village, and the president and the secretary of your Mangal Dal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.