About the Scheme

• In order to improve India’s performance at Olympics and Paralympics, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports started the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in 2014. This was revamped in 2018 to establish a technical support team for managing the TOPS athletes and providing holistic support. 
• It is an attempt to provide assistance to India’s top athletes. The Scheme looks to add a premium to the preparations of these athletes so that they can win medals in the Olympics.
• The Scheme currently supports 104 TOPS Core Group athletes across 13 sports disciplines & Hockey teams and 269 TOPS Development Group athletes across 12 sports disciplines.

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has approved wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s proposal to train in Belmeken, Bulgaria under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

reference:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1876492