Rajasthan to Host 5th Khelo India University Games from November 24 to December 5

New Delhi, Oct 16: The fifth edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) will be held across seven cities in Rajasthan from November 24 to December 5, 2025, featuring competitions in 23 medal sports and one demonstration sport.

For the first time, beach volleyball, canoeing and kayaking, and cycling have been included as medal sports, while kho-kho will be introduced as a demonstration discipline. The multi-sport event is expected to draw participation from over 5,000 athletes representing universities from across the country.

Like the Khelo India Youth Games held in Bihar earlier this year, the University Games will also be spread across multiple venues — Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said the Khelo India University Games play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem. “Across the world, universities play a vital role in shaping champions, and KIUG provides our young athletes a platform to showcase their ability at the national level. 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,” he said.

He further added, “Under the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Khelo India initiative has built a robust ecosystem that fosters participation, talent development, and excellence. The University Games in Rajasthan will inspire thousands of students to pursue sports alongside academics and strengthen the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat through competition and camaraderie.”

The medal events in KIUG 2025 will include archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, fencing, football, hockey, judo, kabaddi, mallakhamb, rugby, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, yogasana, cycling, beach volleyball, and canoeing and kayaking.

In the previous edition of the Khelo India University Games held in the North-East, Chandigarh University emerged overall champions, while Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar secured second and third positions respectively.