SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being
Institutions: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
India hosted the 12th World Para Athletics Championships 2025 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi-the first time the event was held in India and only the fourth in Asia. Over 2,200 participants from 100+ countries competed across 186 medal events. India delivered its best-ever performance, securing 22 medals (6 Gold, 9 Silver, 7 Bronze)-a sharp rise from 17 in Kobe 2024 and 10 in Paris 2023.
Among the winners, 15 athletes were supported under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and one through Khelo India, reflecting deepening institutional backing for para sports. The event drew global praise for India’s organisation, accessibility, and athlete services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the achievement as a “historic milestone for Indian sports.”
Hosting and excelling at the 2025 Championships signals India’s readiness to emerge as a hub for inclusive sports diplomacy. The success strengthens India’s case to host larger Paralympic-level events and underlines the impact of sustained investment through TOPS and Khelo India. Policy continuity in infrastructure, accessibility, and athlete welfare will be vital to institutionalise this momentum.
What is the World Para Athletics Championships?
A biennial global event under the World Paralympic Committee, the Championships showcase elite para-athletes across track and field events. They serve as key qualifiers and confidence-building platforms ahead of the Paralympic Games.
What are TOPS and Khelo India?
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports launched in 2014 to identify and fund elite athletes with podium potential at the Olympics and Paralympics. It provides customised coaching, foreign training, and financial support for sports science, equipment, and competitions.
Khelo India (2018) focuses on broad-base sports development, nurturing young talent through national games, academies, and talent identification programmes. It aims to build a sporting culture from the grassroots up—complementing TOPS’ elite-athlete pipeline. Together, they form India’s twin pillars for high-performance and inclusive sports advancement.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India convert its para-sport gains into long-term ecosystem reforms: training, accessibility, and leadership in global disability sports?
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