BFI — Basketball Federation of India

What is the BFI?

The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) describes itself as “the governing and controlling body of basketball in India.”^[3] FIBA’s directory lists it as the member for India (IND), in the Asia region, with Rajendran Kalyani Aadhav Arjuna as president and Kulvinder Singh Gill as secretary general.^[1] The federation’s site publishes its constitution and a list of its affiliated units.^[2]

What does the BFI govern or do?

The federation lists its aims as developing and promoting basketball at all levels, managing national-level basketball operations, organising training camps and national tournaments, and preparing Indian men’s and women’s teams for international competition across age categories.^[3] Its site covers U16, U18 and senior national teams for men and women, and 3x3 national teams in several age groups.^[2] It also lists referee registration, anti-doping resources and a National Basketball Academy launched with Manipal University.^[2]

When was the BFI founded and where is it based?

The federation’s About page states: “The governing body, BFI, was formed in 1950.”^[3] The same page states that the first national-level tournaments in India were organised in 1934 and that “The India national basketball team became a member of FIBA in 1936.”^[3] The federation gives its address as 803, Eighth Floor, Mercantile House, 15 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi; FIBA’s directory lists it at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Sports Authority of India, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.^[2][1]

How is the BFI recognised?

FIBA. FIBA’s list of national federations names the Basketball Federation of India as the member for India, with the country code IND, and places it in the Asia region.^[1]

National recognition. The federation’s recognition page posts recognition letters under the headings “FIBA”, “Ministry” and “IOA”, and an “Annual Recognition 2020” document.^[5] Its site also carries an “MYAS Compliance” section, the initials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.^[2]

What does the BFI organise?

The federation’s site lists senior national championships for men and women — the 73rd edition in 2023 and the 75th in 2025 — and junior and youth national championships, including the 51st Sub-Junior championship for boys and girls and the 75th and 76th Junior championships.^[2] It lists the National Star Basketball League, with separate 3x3 and 5x5 tracks for men and women, for which it issued tenders for organising partners.^[2] Its site also carries a school league and Khelo India material.^[2]

Who are its members?

The federation’s affiliated units are state associations and the institutional units of the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB).^[4] Its list, marked as last updated on 29 September 2026, runs from Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar, Assam and Bihar through Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, and also names Sikkim and Tripura without officials or contact details.^[4]