India Sports Drinks Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

A sports drink is a special drink or beverage intended to hydrate and energize people during a workout or physical exercise. Their composition usually consists of water, sugar, and electrolytes like sodium and potassium, lost in sweat. Such drinks help restore energy and keep hydration levels reasonably high while replenishing minerals lost in sweat. Usually, these drinks are consumed by athletes and those who engage in prolonged physical exertion for refreshment and better performance. Gatorade, Powerade, and other similar beverages are common examples of sports drinks.

Market Insights & Analysis: India Sports Drinks Market (2025-30):

The Indian Sports Drinks Market size was valued at around USD 73.56 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 131.29 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 10.13% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The market for sports drinks has gained a steady growth rate due to several factors such as; an enhanced awareness of health & fitness and the enhancement of healthy living. Increased fitness concerns, engagement in sports activities, and additional programs like Khelo India have been the notable reasons behind this growth. The Union Budget of India in 2024 proposed for investment of approximately USD108 million in Khelo India which is around USD2.4 million more than in the previous year. This program on the other seeks to develop young talents in sports, map out improvement in the infrastructure of grassroots sports, and equally provide an increase in the district and national games all over the country, and in the rural and urban places. This is because as more people engage in sporting activities the sports beverage market especially the sports drinks will experience high demand.

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Simultaneously, the growing popularity of fitness trends, including marathons, cycling, and gyms among others contributed to the increased clientele base. Fitness and sports drinks come with electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, and paking and they include energy and endurance for active athletes, other learners, shoppers, and casual exercisers.

Additionally, global and local companies similarly use e-commerce and social media advertisements to capture young and liberal consumers. New and distinct versions of the beverages include low-calorie, no-sugar, potassium, and plant-based products that are in line with the changing perceptions of consumers. In India, wellness food and beverages exceeded USD13 billion in 2024, which made India the 15^th largest health and wellness market in the world. Even with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports allocated a total of USD5.45 million for the current Olympic cycle, there should be encouragement with the government’s unrelenting support towards the development of sports. This and other advancements in the formulation of products and their marketing techniques should in the same way help to boost India’s sports drinks industry even further.

India Sports Drinks Market Driver:

Increased Involvement in Sports & Fitness Activities – The enhanced awareness and consecutive involvement of individuals towards sports and its related activities in India has been one of the key reasons driving the sales of sports drinks. As individuals have started becoming conscious regarding their health and fitness parameters, more people are indulging in exercises such as; jogging, biking, strength building, and aerobics including yoga. This trend is further backed by government schemes such as; Fit India, Khelo India, etc. Sports promoting schemes that advocate for healthier lifestyles among the citizens. As per a survey conducted by the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, enrolment in sports has surged by over 15% within the last five years. It is also important to note that everyone today is concerned with their health watching new trainers and visiting a health club in big cities results in the consumption of sports drinks that are designed to free up dehydration and enhance energy levels.

Athletes and fitness individuals prefer sports drinks flavored beverages designed to replace electrolytes, carbohydrates, and water that are lost during sports and exercises. Consequently, manufacturers are shifting to product development and improvement of new products containing better flavors and natural ingredients to meet the increasing demand. Being buoyed by government support for the improvement of sports infrastructure along with the enhancement of fitness programs, the market of sports drinks in India is likely to gain a new height in the subsequent years.

India Sports Drinks Market Opportunity:

Product Differentiation & Innovation – The Indian sports drinks industry is expanding rapidly, due to the rising health awareness wave and the growing fitness craze, especially among the youth. With over 327 million millennials and 378 million Gen Z consumers, demand for fitness-related products such as sports drinks is increasing. Big companies like; PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are launching different variants like; nimbu-paani and aam panna in pursuit of urban and rural consumers alike. Indian brands like Amul are also joining the trend with milk-based sports drinks, catering to the need for healthier drink options.

Additionally, the Indian government is supporting this growth. As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), caffeine levels have to be regulated, and thus this authority is preparing a rules book to limit caffeine levels in energy and sports drinks to ensure safety. This is expected to help increase consumer confidence and push companies to create healthier products. The Government's National Health Policy emphasizes the importance of promoting health and fitness, thus, demand for wellness-focused product categories, such as sports drinks, is likely to boost. This trend is set to continue to create great opportunities for brands that offer transparent ingredients, functional benefits, and products suited to regional tastes.

India Sports Drinks Market Challenge:

High Cost & Lack of Awareness of Sugar-Free Products – The Indian Sports Drinks industry has several issues related to the high costs of manufacturing sugar-free products or limited or no demand for low-sugar drinks. Most people, especially those in rural areas, take sweet products and the concept of taking sugar-free products is still uncommon. Although Lifestyle diseases are becoming increasingly popular in India with more than 77 million people suffering from diabetes or obesity and heart disease, the awareness of its benefits is still little over low sugar products. Manufacturing sugar-free drinks is also expensive since they use artificial sweeteners or natural alternatives such as stevia, which makes the drinks costly and unaffordable to many consumers. These challenges coupled with low awareness levels pose a major problem for the sports drinks industry in India to develop.

India Sports Drinks Market Trends:

Increasing Demand for Functional Beverages – The demand for functional beverages in India, particularly sports drinks, is increasing rapidly as a result of the synergy of health awareness and wellness trends among younger consumers. The shift is particularly observed among the Millennials and Gen Z segments, who place importance on fitness, self-care, and convenience. Functional beverages are being sought not only for hydration purposes but also for their extra benefits, such as energy boosting, muscle recovery, and nutrition support. Functional beverages, in 2023, picked up steam across supermarkets, convenience stores, and especially online channels, making these products more accessible than ever.

Moreover, government health initiatives are reinforcing the health-conscious trend in India, which is creating a favorable environment for these products within the country. The functional beverage market size was valued at around USD130.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to see growth for an upward trend by 2030, with relatively higher growth in revenue and volume especially in categories like sports drinks. That volume increase then creates the best opportunity for health and wellness companies to capture the attention of a large and growing consumer base.

India Sports Drinks Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

India Sports Drinks Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–2030 at the national level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Product Type:

• Hypotonic
• Isotonic
• Hypertonic

The hypertonic segment holds a higher share of around 40% in the Indian Sports Drinks Market by product type. Hypertonic drinks, characterized by a higher concentration of sugars and electrolytes than body fluids, are increasingly popular due to their ability to quickly replenish energy for individuals. In 2023, around 5 million people in India regularly visit gyms, indicating a significant fitness-conscious population within the country. For these individuals, hypertonic sports drinks are a popular choice because they contain quick energy sources and replace used-up electrolytes. The continued expansion in the consumption of these beverages is complemented by firms launching diverse flavors and innovative packaging, and making the drinks attractive and portable for a more extensive target market.

Hence, these fitness trends, coupled with government initiatives and increased consumer awareness, are driving the hypertonic segment dominance in the India Sports Drinks Market, projecting significant growth opportunities for the industry in the coming years.

Based on Packaging Type:

• Bottle
• Can

The bottle segment holds a higher share around 60% in the India Sports Drinks Market due to their convenience and ease of use. This is because bottles are moveable, easily handled, and can be consumed on the go, especially during sporting activities and other workouts. The bottles are spill proof and therefore, the bottles are ideal for use by people who lead an active lifestyle.

On the same note, bottled drinks are easier to store and accommodate with busy, flexing lifestyles of consumers. They also offer the best chance for brands to incorporate high-quality designs and labels as magnets to customers. That is why the segment that concerns bottled drinks had the highest market share in the India Sports and Energy Drink Industry, due to consumers’ high appreciation of such packaging.

India Sports Drinks Market (2025-30): Regional Projections

Geographically, the India Sports Drinks Market expands across:

• North
• East
• West
• South

The North India region is expected to hold a significant share of the India Sports Drinks Market during 2025-2030. In North India, demand for sports drinks is growing among young consumers and athletes who seek hydration and energy during workouts and sports activities. The region also benefits from a higher concentration of gyms, fitness centers, and sports academies, which play a crucial role in driving the market growth & expansion. Additionally, the popularity of adventure sports boosts demand for energy drinks and related products in the Indian Sports Drinks Market.

India Sports Drinks Industry Recent Development:

• May 27, 2024: PepsiCo India expanded its beverage portfolio in Jammu & Kashmir by launching its iconic hydration brand, Gatorade®, in the region for the first time. Gatorade, renowned for its commitment to inspiring young individuals to lead active lifestyles, emphasized the critical role of proper hydration in helping them unlock their full potential.
• August 2022: Coca-Cola India announced the first-ever brand extension of its homegrown brand Limca into the hydrating sports drinks category with Limca Sportz. The brand has completed its half of a decade in India.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our India Sports Drinks Market Report

1. India Sports Drinks Market Report by Markntel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps business organizations to gain a holistic understanding of market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing business organizations to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. The India Sports Drinks Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, business organizations can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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