The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 mark the sixth edition of India’s premier winter sports championship, aimed at fostering grassroots talent across snow and ice disciplines. Over the years, the Khelo India Winter Games have emerged as the backbone of India’s winter sports ecosystem. What began as a niche multi-sport event in the Himalayan region has evolved into a national platform that identifies, nurtures, and prepares athletes for elite winter competitions.
With KIWG 2026 scheduled to take place across Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, anticipation is already high among athletes, sports federations, and fans alike. Whether you’re searching for the Khelo India Winter Games schedule 2026, venues, sports list, registration process, or past medal tallies, this guide brings everything you need to know together in one place.
What are the Khelo India Winter Games?
The Khelo India Winter Games were launched in 2020 under the flagship Khelo India initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to identify and nurture grassroots talent in winter sports. Unlike India’s largely summer-focused sporting ecosystem, the Games are dedicated exclusively to snow and ice disciplines, leveraging the country’s natural advantage in the Himalayan regions.
Held in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, the Khelo India Winter Games follow a team championship format, where every medal won by an athlete adds to their respective state, Union Territory, or institutional tally. The contingent with the highest number of gold medals is declared the overall winner, encouraging healthy inter-state and institutional competition.
Organised in collaboration with National Sports Federations (NSFs) and local authorities, KIWG has emerged as a catalyst for winter sports development in India. Beyond competition, the Games have contributed to improved infrastructure, increased youth participation, and a boost to tourism in remote mountainous regions, while supporting long-term athlete development for international winter sports.
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Teams Participating in the Khelo India Winter Games
The Khelo India Winter Games follow a team championship format, but unlike franchise-based leagues, there is no fixed or permanent list of teams. Participation varies by edition and is determined by eligibility, qualification standards, and nominations approved by the organising committee.
Who Can Participate as a Team in Khelo India Winter Games?
1. State and Union Territory Teams
These form the backbone of the competition. Athletes represent their respective states or Union Territories, nominated through state sports departments and associations in coordination with National Sports Federations (NSFs).
States and UTs that have consistently featured athletes across editions include:
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Delhi
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Kerala
Not every state fields teams in all sports. Participation depends on climate suitability, athlete availability, and qualification criteria.
2. Institutional Teams
Select institutional teams are permitted to compete and are counted separately in the medal tally. These include:
- Indian Army
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) (sport/edition dependent)
- Other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) (as approved)
The Indian Army has been a major presence, emerging as the overall champion in recent editions.
Key Clarification
- Teams are nominated, not self-registered
- There is no official master team list published in advance
- Medal tallies are calculated state/UT/institution-wise
- Host regions (Ladakh & Jammu & Kashmir) receive automatic entries in team sports
This flexible structure allows broader participation while maintaining competitive balance and ensures that the Games remain inclusive, merit-based, and aligned with India’s evolving winter sports ecosystem.
History and Past Editions of Khelo India Winter Games (2020–2025)
The Khelo India Winter Games’ history began amid logistical challenges but evolved into a flagship event for winter sports in India. From modest starts in 2020, editions expanded sports lists and participant numbers, overcoming weather and terrain hurdles.
Inaugural Edition and Early Challenges (2020–2021)
The first Khelo India Winter Games were held in February–March 2020, split between Leh (Ladakh) and Gulmarg (J&K). Despite logistical hurdles and variable snow conditions, the event saw 955 athletes compete across 17 disciplines. Jammu & Kashmir dominated the medal table with 26 golds, setting a high bar for future editions.
In 2021, the second edition returned to Gulmarg, inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over 1,375 athletes participated, and J&K once again claimed the top spot, proving its stronghold in winter sports.
Growth and Expansion of the Games
By 2023, KIWG had matured significantly. Held solely in Gulmarg, the event welcomed more than 1,500 athletes and featured refined competition standards. J&K completed a historic three-peat, but new challengers like Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh began rising.
A major shift came in 2024, when Ladakh co-hosted for the first time. The Indian Army emerged as champions, ending J&K’s streak, and showcased elite-level performance in alpine skiing and speed skating. This trend continued in 2025, with the Army defending its title and Ladakh securing its first-ever podium finish (3rd place).
Edition-wise Breakdown
- 2020 (Leh & Gulmarg): Jammu & Kashmir dominated with 26 golds; focused on alpine skiing in India and snowboarding competitions.
- 2021 (Gulmarg): J&K retained title; introduced broader participation from states.
- 2023 (Gulmarg): Over 1,500 athletes; J&K’s continued wins highlighted local prowess.
- 2024 (Leh & Gulmarg): The Indian Army clinched the overall championship, excelling in team events like ice hockey and Khelo India.
- 2025 (Leh & Gulmarg): Army defended title; Ladakh secured podium finishes, boosting winter games in Jammu and Kashmir.
Historical Medal Tally and Winners
Past Khelo India Winter Games medal tallies showcase dominance by Jammu & Kashmir and institutional teams like the Indian Army. These results fuel searches for the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 medal tally and prior winners’ lists.
| Year | Overall Winner | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 2025 | Indian Army | 7 | 5 | 6 | 18 |
| 2024 | Indian Army | 10 | 5 | 6 | 21 |
| 2023 | Jammu & Kashmir | 26 | 25 | 25 | 76 |
| 2021 | Jammu & Kashmir | 26 | 29 | 21 | 76 |
| 2020 | Jammu & Kashmir | 26 | 29 | 21 | 76 |
Notable Athletes from KIWG
- Aanchal Thakur (2025): Won gold in alpine skiing slalom and giant slalom, reinforcing her status as India’s top female skier.
- Nayana Sri Talluri (2025): The 15-year-old from Telangana made history with a hat-trick of golds in speed skating.
- Bobby Pandey (2024): His parallel slalom victory in Gulmarg sealed the Army’s narrow win over Karnataka.
Latest Updates on Khelo India Winter Games 2026
As per the official portal (winter.kheloindia.gov.in), the 6th Khelo India Winter Games 2026 will be held in two phases, with over 1,200 athletes competing in snow and ice events across Leh, Ladakh, and Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, subject to snow conditions.
KIWG 2026 Dates and Venues
Phase 1 in Leh, Ladakh (ice sports: January 23–27, 2026) at NDS Stadium, Guphuk Pond, and LSRC Army Rink. Phase 2 in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir (snow sports: February 22–25, 2026) at Kangdoori and Gulmarg Golf Course.
Khelo India Winter Games Leh 2026 and Gulmarg 2026 target winter sports in Ladakh, with KIWG Gulmarg dates confirmed for snow reliability.
Sports Disciplines at KIWG 2026
- Alpine Skiing
- Nordic Skiing
- Ski Mountaineering
- Snowboarding
- Ice Hockey
- Speed Skating / Figure Skating
This Khelo India Winter Games sports list builds on prior editions, excluding demo events like ice stock.
How to Participate in Khelo India Winter Games 2026
Participation in the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 is strictly nomination-based. Athletes cannot self-register. All entries are processed through the NSRS Khelo India portal, ensuring a merit-driven and federation-approved selection process.
Eligibility and Age Criteria
The Games follow an open age category, governed by rules laid down by the respective International Federations (IFs) and National Sports Federations (NSFs). There is no uniform age limit for the Khelo India Winter Games; eligibility varies by sport and discipline. Athletes must meet prescribed fitness, technical, and qualification standards to be considered.
Athletes are eligible only if nominated by their State/UT or National Sports Federation and meet the qualification criteria.
Registration and Nomination Process
- Individual sports: Athletes are nominated by NSFs based on rankings or qualifying events.
- Team sports: Teams are nominated by State or Union Territory associations.
- Host quota: Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir receive automatic entries in team events.
All nominations are submitted and verified through the NSRS portal in accordance with Khelo India Winter Games qualification criteria, which prioritise competitive performance.
Documents Required
- Nomination letter signed by the competent authority
- Any two valid age-proof documents
- No Objection Certificate (if representing a different State/UT or institution)
- Official qualification or ranking certificates
Submission of complete and valid documents is mandatory for compliance.
Accreditation and Kit Collection
Accreditation is completed through the Khelo India App, which includes facial verification. Upon approval, athletes receive their accreditation card and the official Khelo India sports kit at the designated venue. The accreditation process is compulsory for entry into competition and venue access.
Conclusion
The Khelo India Winter Games are more than a national competition; they represent a long-term investment in India’s winter sports ecosystem. By strengthening infrastructure in regions like Leh and Gulmarg, building a sustainable talent pipeline for international events, and encouraging youth participation in Himalayan states, KIWG is reshaping India’s approach to snow and ice sports. The Games also contribute to regional economies by boosting tourism, employment, and local pride.
As KIWG 2026 approaches, it stands out as a milestone edition, supported by growing institutional backing and rising competitive standards. Whether you are tracking schedules, analysing medal tallies, or exploring participation pathways, the Khelo India Winter Games continue to play a defining role in India’s winter sports journey.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Indian Army finished as the overall champion at the Khelo India Winter Games 2025, topping the medal tally among participating teams.
The inaugural Khelo India Winter Games 2020 were hosted across Leh (Ladakh) and Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir).
The official mascot of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 was the Snow Leopard, symbolising the Himalayan region’s biodiversity, resilience, and commitment to environmental conservation.
Khelo India is not owned by an individual or private entity. It is a flagship national programme of the Government of India, administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and implemented through the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Form 5 (Form V) in Khelo India is a Meritorious Sportsperson Certificate. It serves as official proof of an athlete’s sporting achievements, such as participation or medal wins at Khelo India or national-level events, and is often used for government job reservations, admissions, or other career-related benefits, following verification by the Sports Authority of India.
Khelo India functions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which is headquartered in New Delhi, India.
The Khelo India Winter Games 2026 are scheduled to be held during January and February 2026, subject to weather and snow conditions.
Official updates, schedules, and live coverage details are announced on winter.kheloindia.gov.in. Broadcast partners, if any, are confirmed closer to the event.
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