The Sports Ministry is set to commence the nomination process for the National Sports Awards next month, following a delayed announcement of the 2025 awards. The delay was due to a re-evaluation process aimed at preserving the integrity of the honours, which resulted in no Khel Ratna awardee for 2025 and fewer Arjuna awardees than recommended. The article also details the criteria for these prestigious awards and highlights some of the notable Arjuna awardees for 2025.
India's para sports athletes scripted history at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games as they equalled the haul of all the previous editions put together, winning seven medals, including one gold and silver on Saturday.
Komal Kohar won a bronze medal in the women's 48kg weight class at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar. She lifted a combined 177kg. Huang Yi Chen of Chinese Taipei won gold.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is set to chase an unprecedented sixth medal at the BWF World Championships, which are returning to India after 17 years, beginning in New Delhi on Monday. Sindhu, already a five-time World Championships medallist, is high on confidence after winning the Japan Open Super 750 last month.
Yashvir Singh made a remarkable debut at the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze medal with a personal-best throw of 85.41m.
Young table tennis players Syndrela Das and Payas Jain have been inducted into the Sports Ministry's TOPS Development group, while Manika Batra's international event funding request has also been approved, aiming to strengthen India's table tennis presence on the global stage.
Indian women wrestlers secured two silver and two bronze medals at the U17 World Wrestling Championships in Baku, with Sandhya Vishnoi and Akshara winning silver, and Avanshika and Taniya earning bronze.
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue have made history by becoming France's first-ever badminton World Champions in mixed doubles, defeating the world No. 1 Chinese pair. Their victory marks a significant milestone for French badminton, with another French player, Alex Lanier, also vying for a men's singles world title.
Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan became the first Indians to win a medal each in high jump and long jump at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.
Gulveer Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian to win a 5000m medal at the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze.
Komal Kohar secured a bronze medal for India in the women's 48kg weight class at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar. She lifted a combined 177kg. Chinese Taipei dominated the event with a gold and silver finish.
Tejaswin Shankar, a two-time Commonwealth Games medalist, is targeting an Asian Games decathlon gold with a personal best, while building towards Olympic-level performances and longevity.
At 22, Ariha Pangambam from Manipur created history by winning the first ever individual gold for India in aerobic gymnastics at the Asian championships.
The Indian men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is determined to end a 51-year World Cup drought, beginning their campaign against Wales with genuine optimism following recent Olympic bronze medals and an Asia Cup title.
India's top women's singles players, including Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaishnavi Adkar, and Vaidehee Chaudhari, have been excluded from the Asian Games tennis squad after the Sports Ministry pruned the list, leaving the national challenge without its leading singles contenders.
Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has advised the current national team to manage World Cup pressure by trusting their preparation and enjoying the occasion. He expressed optimism about India's chances, aiming for a top-four finish in the upcoming FIH World Cup.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded armed forces athletes for their medal-winning performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, calling them a 'perfect blend of a soldier and a champion'. He highlighted their strong willpower and the inspiration they provide to the nation, especially the youth. Indian Army athletes secured 16 medals, including 8 gold, contributing significantly to India's overall tally.
Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships via a walkover. Mixed doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila also progressed, while other top Indian shuttlers like PV Sindhu are set to compete.
India's Hockey World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a 5-3 defeat to Argentina, highlighting persistent defensive issues and a struggle to perform against top-ranked teams. The team's problems, including conceding early goals and a lack of intensity, had been building throughout the year.
Indian wrestlers Nikita Sehrawat, Kamna Babal, and Garima secured three medals at the U17 World Championships in Baku. Nikita Sehrawat clinched a silver medal in the 57kg category, while Kamna Babal (49kg) and Garima (73kg) each earned bronze medals, showcasing strong performances on the international stage.
India achieved its most productive day at the Commonwealth Games, securing a record-breaking seven gold medals in boxing, along with significant successes in judo and para track and field, propelling the nation to fourth place in the medal table.
Lakshya Sen, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, faced a surprising second-round defeat to USA's Garret Tan at the BWF World Championships. Meanwhile, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and rising star Ayush Shetty successfully advanced to the pre-quarterfinals. Other Indian pairs also saw mixed results, with some progressing and others bowing out.
The Indian men's hockey team's failure to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup has highlighted significant issues, including a lack of intent in player transition and questionable selection decisions, according to former players and experts.
Selva Prabhu registered a best jump of 16.52m to finish third and take bronze.
Sahil Jadhav, the reigning World University Games champion, secured his first Archery World Cup medal, a bronze in the compound men's event at Stage 2 in Shanghai, defeating Denmark's Martin Damsbo.
Indian women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have reached the quarterfinals of the World Championships, putting them one step closer to securing a medal.
India's men's hockey team has experienced a varied journey in the World Cup, from winning bronze in 1971 and gold in 1975 to a prolonged period without a podium finish.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Selva Prabhu attributes his failure to secure a gold medal in Glasgow to food poisoning, stating that a performance near his personal best would have been sufficient for the top spot. He is now focused on qualifying for the upcoming Asian Games.
Indian doubles coach B Sumeeth Reddy discusses the emotional journey and struggles of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who secured a historic bronze medal at the Badminton World Championships. He highlights their contrasting personalities, improved rotation, and resilience in overcoming injuries to achieve this significant milestone.
Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty caused a major upset on the opening day of the BWF World Championships by defeating world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu also comfortably advanced to the second round in women's singles, while other Indian doubles pairs, Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Hariharan Amsakarunan-MR Arjun, secured their spots in the next round.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu extended their congratulations to Indian athletes Neeraj Chopra, Yash Vir Singh, Yamini Maurya, and Tejaswin Shankar for their medal-winning performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, praising their dedication and historic achievements.
World champion boxer Jaismine Lamboria, a two-time Commonwealth Games medalist, has been chosen as India's flag-bearer for the closing ceremony in Glasgow. India is also set to host the next edition of the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030, with a cultural handover segment planned.
Former Asian silver medallist and Olympian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh has been suspended for 10 years by NADA for a second doping offence involving methandienone, potentially ending his career. This follows a previous ban in 2022 which was reduced to one year after he claimed contaminated supplements.
Indian boxers Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, and Jadumani Singh have secured at least bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semifinals of their respective weight categories. Preeti and Jadumani won their quarterfinal bouts by unanimous decision, while Priya Ghanghas overcame her opponent with a split decision. However, former Asian champion Parveen Hooda was eliminated in her quarterfinal match.
India concluded Day 6 of the Commonwealth Games in ninth position, securing a total of 12 medals, including two gold, seven silver, and three bronze.
International table tennis player Swastika Ghosh, a Commonwealth gold medallist, was felicitated by the University of Mumbai for her role in India's gold-winning campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships. She has also been selected for the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award and the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships.
Indian weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav, an Asian Championships bronze winner, secured a silver medal in the women's 53kg category at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, lifting a total of 199kg.
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar, an Asian Games bronze medallist, has secured India's second boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games by defeating Nicole Clyde of Northern Ireland in the women's 54kg quarterfinal. Her dominant unanimous-decision victory guarantees her at least a bronze medal, marking her first CWG medal.
Indian athlete Basant Kumar Meghwal clinched a silver medal in the men's high jump event at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA. Achieving a personal best of 2.21m, Meghwal contributed to India's growing medal tally, which also includes a silver from Ashish Yadav in javelin throw.
South African swimmer Chad le Clos has surpassed Emma McKeon to become the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history, securing his 21st medal with a bronze in the men's 4x100 medley relay. This achievement adds to his impressive tally of seven golds, five silvers, and nine bronzes across five Games.
