Sports - October 27, 2025

Khelo India University Games to be held in Rajasthan from November 24 to December 5;

team maverick October 27, 2025

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Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya says KIUG is ‘the first step towards glory’

For the first time, Beach Volleyball, Canoeing and Kayaking, and Cycling (medal sports), along with Kho-Kho (demonstration), will be part of the 5th Khelo India University Games.

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : The 5th Khelo India University Games (KIUG) will be held across seven cities of Rajasthan from November 24 to December 5, 2025. Competitions will take place in 23 medal sports and one demonstration sport (Kho-Kho).

Similar to the recently held Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar, the University Games will also be organised across Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur. Over 5,000 athletes are expected to participate in this 12-day university-level event, which is being organised in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said, “The Khelo India University Games are a vital link in India’s sporting journey. Across the world, universities play a key role in shaping champions, and KIUG provides a national platform for young athletes to showcase their potential. The Rajasthan edition will highlight India’s vast sporting landscape and serve as a first step for those aspiring to represent the nation on global stages.”

He further added, “Under the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Khelo India initiative has built a robust ecosystem promoting participation, talent development, and excellence. These University Games in Rajasthan will inspire thousands of students to pursue sports alongside academics and strengthen the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat through competition and camaraderie.”

KIUG 2025 will feature the following 23 medal sports:
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 and Kayaking.

Kho-Kho will be held as a demonstration event.
For the first time, Beach Volleyball, Canoeing and Kayaking, and Cycling are being included in the KIUG programme.

In the previous edition of the Khelo India University Games held in the North East, Chandigarh University emerged as the overall champion, followed by Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, securing second and third positions respectively.

About Khelo India:

The Khelo India Scheme is a flagship Central Sector programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The Khelo India Games serve as a foundational platform for sports talent identification and development, providing young athletes with pathways to achieve excellence. These national-level competitions are organised in the true Olympic spirit, involving multiple stakeholders like NSFs, SGFI, and AIU.

So far, 20 editions of the Khelo India events have been organised across the country, including: