The Critical Imperative of Olympic Education and Research in India: Bridging the Gap from Participation to Excellence in the Quest for 2036

India's Olympic journey, spanning over a century since its debut in 1900, has been marked by modest achievements despite consistent participation. With India's ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games for the first time, there is an unprecedented opportunity to transform the nation's sporting landscape. This can only be actualized with serious attention towards integrating sports and Olympic education and creating a human resource with global learnings. This paper examines the critical role of Olympic education and research in India's sporting development, particularly invigorating the active presence of National Olympic Academy (NOA) and its implications for long-term sporting excellence in India. Drawing from the foundational principles of Pierre de Coubertin and the International Olympic Academy (IOA), the current study underscores that establishing robust Olympic educational frameworks is essential not only for hosting mega-events but for creating a sustainable sporting culture that embodies Olympic values and observes sports as a vehicle for long term development. The paper analyses the current institutional framework, identifies critical gaps in Olympic education, and proposes a comprehensive roadmap for establishing Olympic educational excellence in India and the broader South Asian region.