The 5th edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) is scheduled to be held across 7 cities of Rajasthan: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur from November 24 to December 5, 2025, as an integral part of the Khelo Indian initiative of the Government of India. The 2025 KIUG will feature 23 medal sports and one demonstration sport, Kho-Kho. This 12-day event brings together more than 5000 student-athletes from 200+ universities across India.
The Khelo India University Games are a national multi-sport event for university-level athletes (under 25 years) under the broader Khelo India Scheme. They aim to provide a stepping stone for young sports talent by giving them exposure, competition experience, and a platform to be noticed at the national level.
Key Points of the Topic
- Host state: Rajasthan (across 7 cities).
- Rajasthan will be hosting the KIUG for the first time.
- Host Universities: Poornima University and Rajasthan University jointly.
- Participants: Over 5,000 athletes from 200+ universities of India.
- Organized by: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Sports Authority of India (SAI)
- Aim: To discover and promote university-level sports talent across India
About Khelo India University Games
The Khelo India University Games (KIUG) is a national multi-sport event under the Khelo India initiative of the Government of India. The first edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) was held at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, in 2020, followed by Karnataka in 2021-2022, Uttar Pradesh in 2023, jointly with the north Indian states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland and Tripura in 2024. Aim to strengthen India’s sports foundation by identifying and nurturing talent from universities. The programme focuses on transforming India into a sporting nation by linking academics with athletics.
5th edition of the Khelo Indian University Games, 2025
The 2025 edition of the Khelo India University Games will be hosted in Rajasthan for the first time. The event will take place mainly in Jaipur, led by Poornima University and Rajasthan University.
KIUG disciplines and New addition
The 2025 KIUG will feature 23 medal sports, including 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. Kho-Kho will be showcased as a demonstration sport.
Beach volleyball, canoeing & kayaking and cycling have been introduced in the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), 2025 programme for the first time
Participation and Scale
More than 5,000 student-athletes from over 200+ universities across India are expected to participate. These young athletes, all under 25, will compete across 23 sports disciplines
Role of Government and Organisers
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) are jointly organising the games. The Rajasthan government is providing infrastructure and logistics support.
The event also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sports for All” and “Fit India Movement,” encouraging youth participation and a healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
The Khelo India University Games 2025 will mark a major step in India’s journey toward becoming a global sporting power. Hosting it in Rajasthan adds new energy to India’s youth and sports ecosystem. The event will not only showcase talent but also inspire a new generation of athletes to dream big and represent the nation proudly.
🔎 Quick Fact:
- 1st edition was held in Odisha (2020)
- 2nd edition: Karnataka (2021)
- 3rd edition: Uttar Pradesh (2023)
- 4th edition: Assam & Meghalaya jointly (2024)
- 5th edition: will be held in Rajasthan from November 24 to December 5, 2025.
MCQs for Practice
Q1. Which state will host the Khelo India University Games 2025? /Which of the following state announced as the host of the 5th (fifth) Khelo Indian University Games (KIUG), 2025?
A. Maharashtra
B. Karnataka
C. Rajasthan
D. Gujarat
Correct Answer: C. Rajasthan
Q2. Which sport has been selected as the demonstration sport for the Khelo India University Games 2025?
A. Kabaddi
B. Mallakhamb
C. Kho-Kho
D. Yogasana
Correct Answer: C. Kho-Kho
Q3. Which universities are co-hosting the event in 2025?
A. Delhi University and JNU
B. Poornima University and Rajasthan University
C. Banaras Hindu University and Allahabad University
D. Osmania University and Hyderabad University
Correct Answer: B. Poornima University and Rajasthan University
Q4. Khelo India University Games were first launched in which year?
A. 2018
B. 2019
C. 2020
D. 2021
Correct Answer: C. 2020
Q5. Which ministry organises the Khelo India University Games?
A. Ministry of Education
B. Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. NITI Aayog
Correct Answer: B. Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs
Q6. Which edition of the Khelo India University Games will be held in Rajasthan in 2025?
A. 3rd Edition
B. 4th Edition
C. 5th Edition
D. 6th Edition
Correct Answer: C. 5th Edition
Q7. What is the main objective of the Khelo India University Games?
A. To promote rural games only
B. To find and develop young sports talent at the university level
C. To promote tourism through sports
D. To train athletes for cricket only
Correct Answer: B. To find and develop young sports talent at the university level
Q8. Which of the following statements about KIUG is correct?
A. Only government universities can participate
B. It includes both men and women athletes
C. It focuses only on indoor sports
D. It is held every two years
Correct Answer: B. It includes both men and women athletes
Q9. Which of the following state was the first edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) hosted?
A. Karnataka
B. Odisha
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Assam
Correct Answer: B. Odisha
Q10. Which university won the team championship at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2024?
A. Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab
B. Jain University, Karnataka
C. Chandigarh University, Punjab
D. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Correct Answer: B. Chandigarh University, Punjab