Khelo India University Games 2025 Set to Kick Off in Rajasthan
The highly anticipated Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 are scheduled to commence on November 24 and continue until December 5, 2025, in the vibrant state of Rajasthan. This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time Rajasthan hosts this prestigious event.
Event Overview
KIUG 2025 will take place across seven cities in Rajasthan, including:
- Jaipur
- Ajmer
- Udaipur
- Jodhpur
- Bikaner
- Kota
- Bharatpur
With more than 5,000 athletes expected to participate, this 12-day university sports meet promises to be one of the largest gatherings of young sporting talent in India.
Significance of KIUG 2025
The Khelo India initiative, launched by the Indian government, aims to promote sports at the grassroots level and identify potential athletes for international competitions. As Indian Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated, “The Rajasthan edition will highlight India’s expanding sporting landscape and will be a stepping stone to glory for many who aspire to represent the nation globally.”
Medal Sports and Activities
During KIUG 2025, athletes will compete in a total of 23 medal sports and one demonstration discipline. The medal sports include:
- Archery
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Fencing
- Football
- Hockey
- Judo
- Kabaddi
- Mallakhamb
- Rugby
- Shooting
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
- Yogasana
- Cycling
- Beach Volleyball
- Canoeing & Kayaking
Notably, beach volleyball, canoeing & kayaking, and cycling will be included in the KIUG program for the first time, while kho-kho will serve as a demonstration event.
Historical Context
The inaugural Khelo India University Games took place in 2020, hosted by Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Subsequent editions were held in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, with the Northeast region hosting the most recent event in 2024. Last year, a staggering total of 770 medals were up for grabs, including:
- 240 Gold
- 240 Silver
- 290 Bronze
Over 200 universities competed for the KIUG title, featuring approximately 4,500 athletes across 20 sports.
Previous Champions
In the 2024 edition, Chandigarh University emerged victorious in the team championships. Notably, Panjab University has claimed the KIUG title twice, while Jain University secured the championship once.
As the Khelo India University Games 2025 approaches, anticipation builds for a celebration of athletic prowess and sportsmanship that will inspire the next generation of athletes in India.