In a major development for Indian university sports, the 5th edition of Khelo India University Games (KIUG) is scheduled to be held in Rajasthan from November 24 to December 5, 2025. After editions in Odisha, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and the Northeast, this will mark the first time that Rajasthan plays host to the continental‑scale university meet.
The Games will be spread across seven cities of Rajasthan- Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur- bringing a pan‑state flavor to the event. Multiple venues will be activated across these cities, leveraging existing sporting infrastructure and new facilities.
Organisers expect over 5,000 athletes from universities nationwide to take part, across 23 medal sports plus one demonstration sport, kho‑kho. Few new sports have been introduced to this edition of Khelo India University Games. These include beach volleyball, canoeing & kayaking, and cycling.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, said, “The Rajasthan edition will highlight India’s expanding sporting landscape and will be a stepping stone to glory for many who aspire to represent the nation globally,” Indian sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.
Khelo India University Games: Previous Edition
In the previous KIUG held across northeastern states, Chandigarh University was crowned the overall champion, with Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar) finishing second and third respectively. That edition featured 20 sports, offering 770 medals in total (240 gold, 240 silver, 290 bronze).
The Khelo India initiative was launched by the Indian government in 2020 with an aim to nurture young talents across the country and prepare them for the international stage. There are several types of sports meeting designed under the program to provide opportunities across numerous discipline.
Also Read: Khelo India Games Calendar Widens Sports Range: The More, The Marrier
Khelo India Games Calendar 2025
- Khelo India Winter Games
- Khelo India Para Games (March)
- Khelo India Youth Games (May)
- Khelo India Beach Games (May)
- Khelo India School Games (August to December)
- Khelo India University Games (March–April)
- Khelo India Water Sports (May–June)
- Khelo India North-East Games (May–June)
- Khelo India Tribal Games (September in Chhattisgarh)
- Khelo India Indigenous and Martial Art Games (July–August in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh)
