India fielded one of its largest contingents at the 20th Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026, winning 21 gold medals and 85 medals overall. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports oversaw India’s participation through a 501-athlete delegation competing across 36 sporting disciplines. The strong performance reflects the government’s investment in sports infrastructure and talent identification programmes launched over the past decade.
Key facts
- Indian contingent: 501 athletes across 36 disciplines
- Medal tally: 21 gold, 27 silver, 37 bronze (85 total)
- Gold medals by sport: Archery 5, Shooting 3, Boxing 3, Wrestling 2, Cricket 2, Hockey 2, Kabaddi 2, Athletics 1, Golf 1
- First-time Asian Games participants: over 300 athletes
- Union Budget 2026-27 sports allocation: ₹4,479.88 crore
- Khelo India scheme outlay 2026-27 to 2030-31: ₹36,441 crore
- Khelo India Centres established by July 2026: 1,067
- Athletes supported through Target Olympic Podium Scheme: 55 Core, 62 Para Core, 140 Development, 67 Core Hockey athletes
- Asian Para Games participation: 18-24 October 2026 in same venue
India’s performance at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
India’s campaign was anchored by strong showings in precision sports and team events. Archery emerged as the strongest discipline with five gold medals. The shooting contingent contributed three golds, while boxers also secured three titles. Team sports delivered exceptional results: the men’s cricket team defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the final, the men’s hockey team retained their continental title with a 5-1 victory over Malaysia, and India swept both men’s and women’s kabaddi competitions. Wrestling contributed two golds, while athletics and golf added one each.
Over 300 athletes in the Indian contingent were competing at the Asian Games for the first time, indicating a substantial expansion of India’s sporting talent pool. The team was led by double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat at the opening ceremony.
Khelo Bharat Niti and government investment
The government launched India’s National Sports Policy, Khelo Bharat Niti, on 1 July 2025, with the stated aim of building a strong, inclusive and performance-driven sports system. The policy focuses on bridging rural-urban gaps in training facilities and reducing training costs through community participation and partnerships. It also explicitly supports women, tribal communities and persons with disabilities in sport.
Financial support for sports has increased significantly. The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹4,479.88 crore to the sports ministry, up from ₹1,219 crore in 2013-14. The Cabinet approved a revamped Khelo India scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore when combined with support to National Sports Federations. The Khelo India scheme itself received ₹924.35 crore for 2026-27, an increase from its ₹3,790.50 crore allocation for 2021-22 to 2025-26. An additional ₹500 crore was earmarked for sports goods manufacturing.
Talent identification and grassroots development
Khelo India serves as the flagship programme for grassroots sport development. By July 2026, the programme had established 1,067 Khelo India Centres across the country. It approved 349 new sports infrastructure projects worth ₹3,176 crore. The scheme supports 2,745 Khelo India Athletes with coaching, equipment, medical care and monthly allowances. More than 63,000 athletes have competed in the Khelo India Games since 2018.
The Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) initiative uses data tools to identify promising athletes aged 9 to 18 years. It operates 174 Talent Assessment Centres using merit-based selection methods to ensure fair access to talent pipelines.
Support for elite athletes
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) provides direct support to India’s medal-winning and potential medal-winning athletes. As of April 2026, the scheme supported 55 Core Athletes, 62 Para Core Athletes, 140 Development Athletes and 67 core hockey athletes. TOPS provides monthly stipends of ₹50,000 to senior athletes and ₹25,000 to junior development athletes. The scheme funds foreign training, international competition participation, coaching camps and specialised equipment. TOPS athletes contributed significantly to India’s medal hauls at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Broader sports infrastructure and governance
The National Sports University in Imphal, established in 2018, provides education in sports science, technology, management and coaching. The Fit India Movement encourages citizens to incorporate fitness into daily routines. Parliament passed the National Sports Governance Bill in August 2025, which establishes a National Sports Board to recognise sports bodies and a National Sports Tribunal to resolve sports disputes.
What this means for you
The expanded sports infrastructure and talent identification programmes create more opportunities for young Indians to pursue athletic careers. Over 1,000 Khelo India Centres nationwide provide training and support. The increase in monthly allowances for athletes and the strengthened coaching infrastructure benefit aspiring sports professionals. The Fit India Movement and integration of sports with school education under the National Education Policy 2020 encourage broader participation in physical activity.
What happens next
India will participate in the Asian Para Games from 18 to 24 October 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, marking the country’s fifth appearance at the competition. This follows India’s record 111-medal haul at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, which included 29 gold medals. The government is positioning these Games as part of a longer-term strategy toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and beyond, with a ten-year plan investing over ₹36,000 crore to strengthen sports infrastructure nationwide.