Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 | 01 Apr 2026

Source: PIB 

India is hosting its first national multi-sport event for tribal athletes, Khelo India Tribal Games (25th March – 3rd April 2026) in Chhattisgarh (Raipur, Jagdalpur and Surguja), bringing tribal athletes from across the country onto a national platform. 

• About: The Games are jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, SAI, IOA, National Sports Federations and the Chhattisgarh government, with international-level technical standards. 
• Objective: It aims to integrate tribal talent into mainstream sports by providing exposure, structured competition and pathways for future development. 
  • The Games are part of the Khelo India programme, which promotes grassroots participation, talent identification and inclusive expansion of India’s sporting ecosystem.  
• Mascot: “Morveer” symbolises tribal pride, identity and bravery. 
• Sports Included: The Games feature seven medal sports—athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling—along with indigenous sports like kabaddi and mallakhamb, with over 60,000 athletes competing for 338 medals. 
• Selection Process: Athlete selection follows a two-stage process: state/UT trials followed by national-level trials by sports federations, ensuring merit-based participation. 
  • A dedicated Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC) scouts promising athletes for further training under the Khelo India framework.