Overview
Khelo India University Games 2025 in Rajasthan: The Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 will be hosted in Rajasthan from 24 November to 5 December 2025. This is the fifth edition of the Games, featuring over 5,000 athletes competing in 23 medal sports and one demonstration sport — kho-kho. The event will be organized across seven major cities of Rajasthan: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur.
Static GK fact: The first Khelo India University Games were held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in 2020.
Significance of the Event
The Khelo India University Games serve as a bridge between grassroots sports talent and national-level competition. It aims to encourage university students to pursue sports while maintaining their academic focus. The initiative supports the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, fostering unity through sports.
The Games strengthen India’s position as a sporting nation by developing talent pipelines for future international competitions.
Static GK Tip: The slogan “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” was launched in 2015 to promote national integration through cultural exchange.
Multi-City Hosting in Rajasthan
Hosting the Games across seven cities allows for greater community involvement and utilization of regional sports infrastructure. Jaipur, known for its Sawai Mansingh Stadium, will serve as one of the main venues. Ajmer, Udaipur, and Jodhpur will showcase their expanding university-level sports facilities, promoting tourism and youth engagement simultaneously.
This model ensures inclusive participation and highlights Rajasthan’s growing reputation as a sports-friendly state.
Sports Disciplines and New Additions
The KIUG 2025 will include 23 medal sports such as athletics, archery, hockey, kabaddi, and boxing. New disciplines — beach volleyball, canoeing and kayaking, and cycling — have been introduced for the first time. Kho-kho will feature as a demonstration sport, reflecting India’s traditional sporting culture.
These inclusions mark the government’s efforts to diversify India’s sports portfolio and encourage modern as well as indigenous games.
Static GK fact: Canoeing and kayaking made their Olympic debut in 1936 at the Berlin Games.
Participation and Past Editions
More than 5,000 athletes representing universities nationwide will compete in this edition. The 2024 edition in North-east India crowned Chandigarh University as the overall champion, followed by Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University.
The University Games continue to expand annually, reflecting India’s growing youth participation in sports.
The Khelo India Initiative
The Khelo India Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is India’s flagship sports development program. It focuses on identifying talent, providing financial assistance, and building infrastructure at grassroots and university levels.
It encompasses various events — Youth Games, University Games, Winter Games, Para Games, Beach Games, and Water Sports Festival. The initiative collaborates with National Sports Federations, the School Games Federation of India, and the Association of Indian Universities.
Static GK fact: The Khelo India program was officially launched in 2018 to replace earlier sports schemes under one umbrella.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Khelo India University Games 2025 in Rajasthan:
| Topic | Detail |
| Event | Khelo India University Games 2025 |
| Host State | Rajasthan |
| Duration | 24 November – 5 December 2025 |
| Host Cities | Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Bharatpur |
| Number of Athletes | Over 5,000 |
| Sports Disciplines | 23 medal sports + 1 demonstration sport (kho-kho) |
| New Additions | Beach Volleyball, Canoeing and Kayaking, Cycling |
| Organizing Ministry | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports |
| Theme | Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat |
| Previous Champion | Chandigarh University (2024) |
