The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Central government, organizes the Khelo India School Games under the Khelo India Initiative (for young competitors). Students aged 10 to 18 can take part in these competitions by signing up through their respective schools. These matches are broadcast live on the Star Sports network. Additionally, participants can view event details by visiting kheloindia.gov.in
Overview of Khelo India School Games 2026
The Khelo India School Games are a central component of the revamped national sports development strategy. The initiative seeks to strengthen the sporting landscape by prioritizing mass engagement and the pursuit of athletic excellence. These games serve as a primary platform for discovering promising young talent across various sporting disciplines.
These annual competitions are hosted in partnership with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and various National Sports Federations (NSFs). The organizing bodies coordinate a series of preliminary events leading up to the national-level games. This structure is vital for identifying gifted youth and providing them with the necessary training to compete for medals on the global stage. Ultimately, the program aspires to promote "Sports for Everyone," reaching roughly 200 million children across the country.
Khelo India School Games Locations / Sport List / Timetable
The initial School Games under the Khelo India scheme feature 16 distinct sports. Below is the list of events and their designated venues:
| Sporting Event | Location |
|---|---|
| Archery | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex |
| Athletics | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex |
| Badminton | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Basketball | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Boxing | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Football | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex |
| Gymnastics | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Hockey | Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium |
| Judo | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Kabaddi | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Kho-Kho | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex |
| Shooting | Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges Complex |
| Swimming | Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex |
| Volleyball | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Weightlifting | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
| Wrestling | Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex |
For additional details regarding venues, visit the official portal at - https://schoolgames.kheloindia.gov.in/venues and for further information on the schedule, use this link - https://schoolgames.kheloindia.gov.in/schedule
Experience the Inaugural Khelo India School Games Anthem
To boost enthusiasm for the event, the Ministry has released a theme song encouraging children to get active. The official slogan for the anthem is "Aur khelna chahte hain hum, Khub khelo saath me hain hum". Participants can stream the anthem on YouTube via the link provided below: