Khelo India Para Games: A Comprehensive Overview

The Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) is an annual multi-sport event under the Khelo India initiative, dedicated to athletes with disabilities, providing a national platform for competition, talent identification, and recognition under schemes like TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme). Organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and National Sports Federations (NSFs), it focuses on para-athletes aged 16–40. This article details the host locations, history, included sports, discontinued events, India’s position (as the sole participating nation), participating states/union territories with website links, and regulatory bodies for all sports with national and international links.

When Did the Khelo India Para Games Start?

The Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) was first scheduled for 2018 but did not occur; instead, Khelo India supported the Indian Open Para-Athletics Championship in Bengaluru. The inaugural official edition was held in 2023 from December 10–17 in New Delhi, featuring 1,100 athletes from 28 states and union territories across 7 sports. The second edition took place in 2025 from March 20–27 in New Delhi, with approximately 1,200 athletes from 36 states and union territories. KIUG aims to elevate para-sports standards, mirroring the success of other Khelo India events, and is held annually to nurture talent for international competitions like the Paralympics.

Countries Where the Khelo India Para Games Are Held

The Khelo India Para Games are exclusively held in India, as a domestic competition for para-athletes from Indian states and union territories. Both editions have been hosted in New Delhi, leveraging accessible venues for para-sports:

Host Cities and Venues

Key Notes:

• New Delhi’s venues are chosen for accessibility and infrastructure, including ramps, adaptive equipment, and classifiers for fair competition.
• Future editions are planned annually, with potential expansion to other cities like Chennai or Bengaluru for 2026 (not yet confirmed).

Which Games (Sports) Are Included?

The Khelo India Para Games feature para-adapted Olympic sports, focusing on classifications for various impairments (e.g., visual, physical, intellectual). The 2025 edition included 6 sports with 189 gold medals across 300+ events:

Sports in 2025 Khelo India Para Games

1. Para Archery
2. Para Athletics
3. Para Badminton
4. Para Powerlifting
5. Para Shooting
6. Para Table Tennis

Key Notes:

• Sports are classified by impairment types (e.g., T11–T13 for visual impairment in athletics, S1–S10 for swimming, though swimming was not included in 2025).
• Events emphasize fair competition with classifiers ensuring equity; e.g., para archery includes standing and wheelchair categories.
• The 2023 edition included 7 sports, with Football (Cerebral Palsy) added for team-based para-sport diversity.

Which Events Occurred in the Past but Are Not Now?

• Discontinued Events:
  
  • Football (Cerebral Palsy) (2023): Included in the inaugural edition as a team sport for athletes with cerebral palsy but excluded in 2025 due to logistical challenges and focus on individual events with broader participation.
• Current Events (Recent Additions):
  
  • Para Badminton (2023–present): Added in the first edition to align with its Olympic inclusion and growing para-adaptation.
  • Para Table Tennis (2023–present): Introduced to expand racket sports for para-athletes.

Key Notes:

• The event is relatively new, so few discontinuations; changes reflect IPC guidelines and participation trends.
• Future editions may add sports like Para Swimming or Para Cycling if infrastructure improves.

Till Now, India’s Position

As a domestic event, India is the sole participating nation, with states, union territories, and institutions competing for the overall championship. Haryana has dominated, winning both editions with strong performances in athletics and powerlifting. Below is the medal tally:

Khelo India Para Games Medal Tally

Key Notes:

• Haryana topped both editions, excelling in Para Athletics (e.g., 26 golds in 2023) and Para Powerlifting.
• Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu consistently rank high, with Tamil Nadu rising to 2nd in 2025.
• 25 KIPG 2023 athletes competed at Paris 2024 Paralympics, with 5 medalists, highlighting talent pipeline.
• 18 para national records were set in 2025, including 12 by women athletes, emphasizing gender focus.

Members (Participating States/Union Territories) with Website Links

The Khelo India Para Games involve 36 states and union territories (as of 2025), coordinated by their state sports departments, Olympic associations, and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). Participation is open to para-athletes from all regions. Below is a list with links to state Olympic/Para associations or sports departments (where available):

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Andaman Para Sports Association
• Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh Paralympic Association
• Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal Paralympic Association
• Assam: Assam Paralympic Association
• Bihar: Bihar Paralympic Association
• Chandigarh: Chandigarh Paralympic Association
• Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh Paralympic Association
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: DNH & DD Para Sports
• Delhi: Delhi Paralympic Association
• Goa: Goa Paralympic Association
• Gujarat: Gujarat Paralympic Association
• Haryana: Haryana Paralympic Association
• Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh Paralympic Association
• Jammu and Kashmir: J&K Paralympic Association
• Jharkhand: Jharkhand Paralympic Association
• Karnataka: Karnataka State Para Sports Association
• Kerala: Kerala Paralympic Association
• Ladakh: Ladakh Para Sports
• Lakshadweep: Lakshadweep Para Sports
• Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh Paralympic Association
• Maharashtra: Maharashtra Paralympic Association
• Manipur: Manipur Paralympic Association
• Meghalaya: Meghalaya Para Sports
• Mizoram: Mizoram Para Sports
• Nagaland: Nagaland Para Sports
• Odisha: Odisha Paralympic Association
• Puducherry: Puducherry Paralympic Association
• Punjab: Punjab Paralympic Association
• Rajasthan: Rajasthan Paralympic Association
• Sikkim: Sikkim Para Sports
• Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu Paralympic Association
• Telangana: Telangana Paralympic Association
• Tripura: Tripura Para Sports
• Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh Paralympic Association
• Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand Paralympic Association
• West Bengal: West Bengal Paralympic Association

Notes:

• Links are sourced from the PCI website or state sports departments as of October 24, 2025.
• Some states/union territories (e.g., Lakshadweep, Tripura) lack dedicated Para associations; links redirect to general Olympic or state sports portals.
• The Paralympic Committee of India coordinates national participation.

All Games in Khelo India Para Games: Regulatory Bodies and Official Links (National/International)

Each sport is governed by a national para-sports federation under the PCI and SAI, affiliated with international para-federations for Olympic-aligned sports. Below is a list of the 6 sports from the 2025 Khelo India Para Games, with their regulatory bodies and links (national: India; international).

Notes:

• Links are current as of October 24, 2025, sourced from PCI , and international federation websites.
• Para divisions are managed by national federations under PCI guidelines; e.g., Athletics Federation of India oversees Para Athletics.
• The Khelo India Para Games are overseen by the Sports Authority of India .

This content comprehensively addresses the Khelo India Para Games, covering all requested aspects. For further details (e.g., specific athlete profiles, detailed medal tallies, or event schedules), please let me know!