Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
India does not have an officially declared national sport, though hockey is often mistakenly believed to be one.
Is hockey the National Sport of India?
No, hockey is not officially the National Sport of India.
Has the government declared any national sport?
No, the Indian government has never declared any sport as the national sport.
Who is known as the wizard of hockey?
Major Dhyan Chand is called the wizard of hockey for his unmatched skills.
When is National Sports Day celebrated in India?
On August 29, the birth anniversary of Dhyan Chand.
What is the National Game of India : Is It Really Hockey?
National sport of India for a long time has been misunderstood as Hockey. However, an RTI reply highlighted that there is no National sport of India. Find more information here!
Deeksha Dixit3 Jul, 2025
Share
National sport of India, the moment we hear this, we think of field hockey. From school textbooks to quiz contests, the answer to what is the National sport of India has often been “hockey.” But is this really true? Or is it just a myth we have accepted over time? Well, the answer is ‘India doesn’t have an official national sport’. Read on to find out why!
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:
"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:
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.
Changing trends: Sports popularity changes over time. Cricket rules today, but that wasn’t the case 50 years ago.
No legal requirement: There is no rule that every country must have a national sport.
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:
Schools and colleges host sports events.
Awards like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya Award are given.
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 Coursesand get faculty guidance for your preparation!
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
