India’s sporting achievements have witnessed a remarkable surge over the past 11 years, with Indian athletes delivering historic performances across major international competitions. Backed by flagship initiatives like Khelo India, TOPS, and KIRTI, the country has steadily climbed the global sporting ladder.
At the Olympics, India went from winning just 2 medals at Rio 2016 to a record 7 medals at Tokyo 2020 and 6 at Paris 2024. Star performers such as Neeraj Chopra, who clinched India’s first Olympic athletics gold, and Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting, led the way in India’s Olympic resurgence.
The Paralympics marked an even more dramatic transformation. From just 4 medals in Rio 2016, India bagged 19 in Tokyo 2020 and a record-breaking 29 medals in Paris 2024, including 7 golds. This success reflects the impact of structured support and inclusion of para-athletes in schemes like TOPS and the Khelo India Para Games.
India’s rise continued at the Asian Games, where the Hangzhou 2023 edition became historic with 107 medals from a record 655-member contingent. Similarly, at the Commonwealth Games, India consistently maintained strong performances, securing over 60 medals in each edition from 2014 to 2022.
Indian athletes also made global headlines elsewhere—winning double gold at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad, a gold in javelin at the World Athletics Championships 2023, and a historic Thomas Cup win in badminton in 2022. Shooters and para-table tennis players also delivered standout performances in global competitions.
India has also emerged as a hub for major international sports events, hosting the FIDE Chess Olympiad (Chennai), MotoGP Bharat (Noida), BIMSTEC Aquatics Championship (Delhi), and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (Bhubaneswar). In 2023, India hosted the prestigious IOC Session in Mumbai, further strengthening its role in global sports diplomacy.
With increased investment, strategic planning, and world-class talent, India’s sporting transformation under the Modi government is no longer a vision — it’s an unfolding reality. As the country eyes the 2036 Olympics, its journey towards becoming a top-10 sporting nation is firmly on track.