Khelo India University Games 2025 to Be Held in Jaipur This November

In a landmark announcement made on Wednesday, it was revealed that Poornima University and Rajasthan University will jointly host the fifth edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in Jaipur in November 2025. This will mark the first time that Rajasthan will play host to India’s prestigious inter-university multi-sport event, which was launched in February 2020 to unearth and nurture young sporting talent across the country.

Expected to draw participation from over 4,000 athletes representing more than 200 universities, KIUG 2025 is poised to be a spectacular celebration of college-level sports. Like previous editions, the event will feature competitions in at least 20 disciplines, showcasing a wide array of athletic prowess across categories ranging from athletics, swimming, and wrestling to newer inclusions like fencing and mallakhamb.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, confirmed the announcement, saying, “I’m delighted to share that the Khelo India University Games will be held in Rajasthan this November. Aimed at under-25 athletes, these Games follow the recent Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar and provide a vital national platform for emerging talent to shine before top scouts.”

Legacy of the Khelo India University Games

The Khelo India University Games (KIUG) have become a key fixture in India’s national sports calendar. The 2024 edition, jointly hosted by Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Tripura, marked the first time the Games were held in the North-East. It witnessed a record participation of 4,500 athletes competing in 20 sports, with 770 medals awarded — 240 gold, 240 silver, and 290 bronze.

Chandigarh University emerged as the overall team champion at KIUG 2024, delivering strong performances across multiple sports. Lovely Professional University secured second place with a total of 42 medals, including 20 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, finished third with 51 medals—12 gold, 20 silver, and 19 bronze.

Star Performers and Records

Athletes delivered remarkable performances in 2024, setting eight new KIUG records in athletics—five of which were in men’s events. Pratyasa Ray of Utkal University emerged as the most decorated female athlete with four gold, one silver, and one bronze, while Xavier Michael Dsouza of Jain University stole the limelight among male athletes with four gold medals.

Commenting on the potential of the upcoming event in Rajasthan, Dr. Mandaviya added, “Worldwide, university students dominate multi-sport events. In Rajasthan, we hope to see some quality performances as we expect the athletes will be at their peak.”

Delighted to share, for the first time, Rajasthan will host the 5th Khelo India University Games in November 2025!
Over 4000 athletes from 200+ universities will compete, celebrating youth, unity & sporting excellence.

This is how we empower athletes and strengthen grassroots… pic.twitter.com/HMooXNdc6i

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) June 25, 2025

A New Chapter in Jaipur

The hosting of KIUG 2025 in Jaipur promises a fresh chapter for sports in Rajasthan. With premier institutions like Poornima University and Rajasthan University at the helm, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and government backing, expectations are high for an event that not only meets but exceeds previous standards.

Preparations are already underway to ensure the smooth conduct of the event, with organizers focusing on infrastructure, athlete accommodation, safety, and logistics to accommodate thousands of participants and spectators.

As India continues to prioritize sports development at the grassroots level, the Khelo India University Games stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth. With Jaipur set to become the next epicenter of collegiate sports, KIUG 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark edition that could redefine university-level athletics in India.