National Game of India, Is Hockey National Game of India
Deeksha Dixit31 Aug, 2025
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India does not have an official National Sport. When we hear “National Sport of India”, the first sport that comes to mind for many is field hockey. The answer has often been cited as hockey, from school textbooks to quiz contests. But is this true, or is it a myth that has been accepted over time?. Please keep reading to discover why this common misconception exists and its history.
National Sport of India ?
Most people think that hockey is the national sport of India. This idea is deeply rooted in our culture and school education. However, unlike some countries where a specific sport is recognised by law or official statement as the national game, India has no such designation. There is no document or government record that hockey is the National Sport of India.
This confusion may have started because hockey brought India global fame during the early and mid-20th century. The sport gave India eight gold, one silver, and four bronze medals in the Olympics, and legendary players like Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh, and Dhanraj Pillai. Despite its success, it was never officially declared the national game of India by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Is Hockey National Sport of India?
The short answer is no. Hockey is not the National sport of India, even though many think it is. In 2020, an RTI (Right to Information) query by a school teacher from Dhule, Maharashtra, to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confirmed that India has not declared any sport as its national sport.
Interestingly, the query originally sought the date on which field hockey was declared the national game of India. The answer shocked everyone by stating that no sport, including hockey, has ever been officially declared as the national game by the government.
Why Hockey is Mistaken as the National Game of India?
So, where did the belief come from? Mostly from history books, public opinion, and the glory days of Indian hockey. People started associating hockey with national pride, especially because India won 8 Olympic gold medals in this sport between 1928 and 1980. For long, even school textbooks kept Hockey in the national sport column. So, if hockey isn’t officially our national sport, why not?
Why India Has No Official National Sport?
This is a very logical question. Why hasn’t a country like India, with such a strong sporting history, chosen a national sport? The answer to this question can be found in the RTI reply by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on behalf of the government. It stated that:
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"The government has not declared any sport/game as the national game of the country, as the objective of the government is to encourage/promote all popular sports disciplines." |
Here are some other possible reasons for not having a national game:
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Diversity in sports: India is home to many popular sports like cricket, badminton, kabaddi, and wrestling. Declaring one sport as national may ignore the love for others.
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Changing trends: Sports popularity changes over time. Cricket rules today, but that wasn’t the case 50 years ago.
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No legal requirement: There is no rule that every country must have a national sport.
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Inclusive culture: By not choosing one, India respects all sports and promotes diversity.
So, the National Sport of India is a concept more rooted in emotion than in law; therefore, not having one might be considered a better option.
Hockey Achievements Of India Team
India’s Olympic hockey journey began with dominance, winning six consecutive gold medals from 1928 to 1956. A silver in 1960 and gold in 1964 followed. The team then earned bronze medals in 1968, 1972, 2021, and 2024. After 1980’s gold in Moscow, performance declined, with lower rankings and missing qualification in 2008. Recent years show a resurgence, marked by renewed podium finishes.
| Venue/Olympics Name | Year | Achievements |
| Amsterdam Olympics | 1928 | Gold Medal |
| Los Angeles Olympics | 1932 | Gold Medal |
| Berlin Olympics | 1936 | Gold Medal |
| London Olympics | 1948 | Gold Medal |
| Helsinki Olympics | 1952 | Gold Medal |
| Melbourne Olympics | 1956 | Gold Medal |
| Rome Olympics | 1960 | Silver Medal |
| Tokyo Olympics | 1964 | Gold Medal |
| Mexico City Olympics | 1968 | Bronze Medal |
| Munich Olympics | 1972 | Bronze Medal |
| Montreal Olympics | 1976 | 7th Position |
| Moscow Olympics | 1980 | Gold Medal |
| Los Angeles Olympics | 1984 | 5th Position |
| Seoul Olympics | 1988 | 5th Position |
| Barcelona Olympics | 1992 | 6th Position |
| Atlanta Olympics | 1996 | 8th Position |
| Sydney Olympics | 2000 | 7th Position |
| Athens Olympics | 2004 | 7th Position |
| Beijing Olympics | 2008 | Did Not Qualify |
| London Olympics | 2012 | 12th Position |
| Rio Olympics | 2016 | 8th Position |
| Tokyo Olympics | 2021 | Bronze Medal |
| Paris Olympics | 2024 | Bronze Medal |
Legacy of Hockey
Even if hockey is not the National Sport of India, its legacy is undeniable. India’s journey in hockey began in the early 20th century. The country’s dominance started at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where India won its first gold medal. The Indian team continued to win gold medals in 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1964.
The legendary Dhyan Chand, known as the "Wizard of Hockey," made Indian hockey famous worldwide. His skills, goals, and sportsmanship inspired generations. During the 20th century, Indian hockey teams were unbeatable. Stadiums were full. Newspapers praised the players.
In those days, it was natural for people to think that hockey was the National Sport of India. However, this changed with India’s historic first Cricket World Cup win in 1983, which shifted the nation's passion toward cricket and established it as a popular sport, overshadowing hockey.
Fortunately, the Indian hockey team’s recent performance in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics has reignited the popularity of this game
Popular Sports in India
With support from the government and splendid performances by Indian athletes on international stages, several sports have gained popularity across the country. Here are some of the most popular sports in India today:
- Cricket: No surprise here. Cricket is the most followed sport in India, with the recent T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy wins.
- Badminton: Thanks to players like P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, badminton is growing fast.
- Wrestling and Kabaddi: Traditional Indian sports still have large fan bases, especially in rural areas.
- Athletics: With Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold, athletics is gaining attention too.
- Chess: Thanks to Viswanathan Anand and young stars like Gukesh Dommaraju, chess is rising fast.
- Boxing: The game has been popularized by stars like Mary Kom and Vijender Singh.
National Sports Day of India
Every year, August 29 is celebrated as National Sports Day of India. This date marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, one of the greatest hockey players the world has ever seen.
The day is meant to promote sports awareness and encourage youngsters to take part in physical activities. On this day:
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Schools and colleges host sports events.
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Awards like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya Award are given.
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Tributes are paid to Dhyan Chand and other legendary players.
Although hockey is not the National Sport of India, celebrating National Sports Day on Dhyan Chand’s birthday keeps the spirit of Indian hockey alive. It reminds us of the golden era when India ruled the hockey world.
So, is hockey the National Sport of India? Officially, no. Hockey has given India some of its proudest sports moments. But as of today, India has not declared any official national sport.
Want to learn more about India, its culture, and sports for UPSC? Explore PW’s UPSC Courses and get faculty guidance for your preparation!
National Sport of India FAQs
Which is the National Sport of India?
Is hockey the National Sport of India?
Has the government declared any national sport?
Who is known as the wizard of hockey?
When is National Sports Day celebrated in India?
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