Hockey GK For Railway Exams 2026

Hockey GK For Railway Exams 2026 is a useful topic for candidates preparing for competitive exams. It covers important facts about field hockey, such as match duration, number of players, governing bodies, and India’s historic success in the Olympic Games. These basics help students score easy marks in the GK section.

It also highlights India’s single Hockey World Cup win in 1975, the role of Hockey India, and recent Men’s and Women’s World Cup winners. Learning key terms, famous players like Major Dhyan Chand, and recent updates makes revision faster and more effective for Railway Exams 2026.

Hockey GK For Railway Exams 2026 Overview 

Below gives a quick overview of Field Hockey General Knowledge important for Railway Exams 2026. It covers basic facts such as match details, governing bodies, and India’s major achievements.

Field Hockey

Field hockey is a dynamic team sport widely regarded as the national sport of India, though it lacks official status. This blog focuses specifically on field hockey, differentiating it from other formats like indoor or ice hockey. A standard match spans 70 minutes, a duration famously underscored in the film "Chak De! India" to highlight the game's intensity.

Gameplay and Player Roles

Field hockey involves two teams competing on a rectangular field. Each team comprises 11 players, whose objective is to propel a small ball into the opponent's goal using a J-shaped stick. The gameplay shares conceptual similarities with football, but crucially, players manipulate the ball with sticks rather than feet.

Hockey India: National Governing Body

Established in 2009, Hockey India serves as the national governing body for the sport, affiliated with the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Its headquarters are located in New Delhi.

• President: Dilip Tirkey

• Men's Team Coach: Craig Fulton

• Women's Team Coach: Harendra Singh

History and Governing Bodies of Hockey

The organized history of hockey dates back to 1861 with the formation of the Blackheath A.B. & Club in England. The first international match took place on June 26, 1895, between Wales and Ireland.

The global authority for hockey is the International Hockey Federation (FIH), founded on January 7, 1924, with its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. In India, the original Indian Hockey Federation was established in 1925.

India's Performance in Major Hockey Tournaments

India's performance in hockey has shown distinct patterns across different major tournaments.

COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE: OLYMPICS vs. WORLD CUP

In contrast, Pakistan has won the Hockey World Cup three times, notably winning the inaugural tournament in 1971 in Barcelona. A legendary figure in Indian hockey, Major Dhyan Chand, is celebrated as the "Magician of Hockey".

Field and Equipment Specifications For Hockey

Understanding the playing area and equipment is crucial for comprehending field hockey.

• Field Shape: Rectangular

• Field Length: 91.44 meters

• Field Width: 50 to 55 meters

• Goal Post Width: 3.66 meters

• Ball Weight: 155 to 163 grams

• Noteworthy Venue: India is home to the highest astroturf hockey stadium, situated in Shilaroo, Himachal Pradesh.

Key Terminology in Hockey for Railway Exams 2026

Familiarity with hockey terminology is essential:

• Stick: The primary equipment used to hit the ball.

• Penalty Stroke

• Scoop

• Side-line

• Referee: The official who ensures rules are followed and signals fouls.

• Tie-breaker

• Penalty

• Undercutting

• Bully

• Centre Forward

• Roll on

• Push in

• Shooting

• Half-volley

• Full-back

• 16-yard hit

Recent Major Hockey Tournaments

Here are the recent major hockey tournaments for Railway Exams 2026 GK:

15th Men's Hockey World Cup (2023)

India hosted the 15th Men's Hockey World Cup from January 13-29, 2023, across Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela.

• Mascot: Oli, representing the Olive Ridley turtle.

• Final Standings:

1. Germany (Winner)

2. Belgium (Runner-up)

3. Netherlands (Third Place)

Individual Awards:

• Top Scorer: Jeremy Hayward (Australia, 9 goals)

• Best Player: Niklas Wellen (Germany)

• Best Young Player: Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa)

• Best Goalkeeper: Vincent Vanasch (Belgium)

The 2026 Men's Hockey World Cup is slated to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

Women's Hockey World Cup (2022)

The Women's Hockey World Cup took place from July 1-17, 2022, hosted by the Netherlands, featuring 16 participating teams.

• Final Standings:

1. Netherlands (Winner)

2. Argentina (Runner-up)

3. Australia (Third Place)

Individual Awards:

• Player of the Tournament: Maria José Granatto (Argentina)

• Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Belén Succi (Argentina)

• Top Scorer: Agustina Gorzelany (Argentina)

The 16th Women's Hockey World Cup in 2026 will also be jointly held in Belgium and the Netherlands.

PW provides Railway exam content, including Railway Exam Blogs, sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more. Also, enroll today on Railway Online Coaching for preparation.