While this might be a surprise for you, India never officially chose a national sport, even though many believed it was hockey.
From Olympic podiums in hockey to cricket’s billion-dollar leagues, India’s love for sports is unquestionable.
But when it comes to national identity, people are often surprised to learn that no sport has been formally assigned the title of “national game.”
In this comprehensive guide, we unpack the history, misconceptions, official statements, and the ongoing debate around what sport truly defines India.
Indian National Sports and Official Symbols
Here’s a snapshot of what constitutes a national symbol and where “national sport” fits in:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Official Term | No sport has been officially declared as the “National Sport” |
| Common Misconception | Field Hockey |
| Clarification Source | RTI Reply by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (2012) |
| Cultural Relevance | Field Hockey (historically), Cricket (contemporary popularity) |
| Declaration Authority | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports |
Despite field hockey’s historic significance and India’s dominance in the sport during the 20th century, no sport has been officially designated as the national sport by the Indian government, as confirmed in an RTI response.
Which is the National Sport of India?
The straightforward answer is: India has no officially declared national sport. This revelation often surprises many Indians who grew up believing hockey held this prestigious title.
The confusion stems from hockey’s golden era when India dominated international competitions. Even on the sports day, we celebrate a Hockey legend, and a collection of sports, not one particular sport.
The absence of an official national sport reflects India’s complex sporting landscape. While other countries like Bangladesh (kabaddi), Sri Lanka (volleyball), and Pakistan (field hockey) have designated national sports, India has chosen a different path.
This decision, whether intentional or by default, has significant implications for sports policy, funding allocation, and national sporting identity.
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Why People Assume Hockey Is India’s National Sport
India’s dominance in hockey from 1928 to 1980, with eight Olympic golds, made the sport a symbol of national pride.
Legends like Dhyan Chand, who scored over 1,000 goals, became iconic. Major Dhyan Chand’s birthday (August 29) is celebrated as National Sports Day
Hockey was widely taught in schools and misrepresented as India’s national sport in textbooks and quizzes.
This golden era of hockey coincided with India’s independence journey, strengthening its emotional connection with national identity and patriotic spirit.
The RTI That Settled India’s National Sport Question
The definitive clarification came through a Right to Information (RTI) query that put this debate to rest:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Filed By | A school teacher from Dhule, Maharashtra |
| Question Asked | “When was hockey declared India’s national sport?” |
| Ministry’s Reply | “No sport/game has been declared as the national game. The government aims to promote all popular sports.” |
The RTI clarified that no sport holds the “national” tag to allow equal promotion across disciplines like cricket, kabaddi, wrestling, and athletics.
Why Doesn’t India Have a National Sport?
In a country as diverse as India, assigning one sport as “national” may overshadow the significance of regional favorites.
From kabaddi in rural India to football in the northeast and cricket everywhere — diversity is India’s strength, not singularity.
The decision not to declare a national sport reflects several practical and philosophical considerations:
Geographic Diversity:
India’s vast landscape supports different sporting cultures. While cricket dominates urban areas, kabaddi thrives in rural regions.
Football enjoys massive popularity in states like West Bengal, Goa, and the northeastern states.
Wrestling has deep roots in Haryana and Punjab, while badminton has gained tremendous popularity in southern India.
Cultural Sensitivity:
Declaring one sport as “national” could potentially alienate communities that identify strongly with other sports.
This approach ensures that no single sport receives an unfair advantage over others in terms of government support and recognition.
Democratic Sporting Policy:
The government’s neutral stance allows for equal promotion of all sports. This philosophy aligns with India’s democratic values and ensures that emerging sports and traditional games receive fair development opportunities.
Avoiding Controversy:
Given the passionate debates around cricket versus hockey versus kabaddi, the government’s neutrality prevents unnecessary political and cultural disputes that could arise from favoring one sport over others.
Cricket vs Hockey vs Kabaddi – The Popularity Debate
Each sport holds a unique place in Indian hearts, while hockey carries an Olympic legacy, kabaddi reflects cultural roots, and cricket dominates in popularity.
Hockey: The Olympic Legacy
Hockey is deeply tied to India’s Olympic legacy and national pride, with the first gold won in 1928.
Icons like Dhyan Chand made it a symbol of sporting excellence. Though its popularity declined in the 1990s and 2000s, the 2021 Olympic bronze sparked renewed interest.
Recent successes of both teams and modern infrastructure, like Kalinga Stadium and Hockey India League, have revitalised hockey’s status in India’s sporting landscape.
Kabaddi: Indigenous Roots
Kabaddi, rooted in Indian tradition, reflects the country’s rich sporting culture and rural heritage.
India’s dominance in international kabaddi and the Asian Games highlights its mastery of the sport.
The 2014 launch of the Pro Kabaddi League turned it into a professional spectacle with over 100 million viewers.
Kabaddi’s simplicity, low cost, and accessibility make it widely popular, showing how traditional Indian sports can thrive in a modern, commercialised era.
Cricket: The People’s Choice
Cricket is India’s most popular, watched, and monetised sport, uniting people across regions and classes.
The Indian Premier League has turned it into a global spectacle, generating billions in revenue. Cricket thrives from city streets to rural fields, driven by deep cultural passion.
The BCCI ranks among the richest sporting bodies worldwide. Icons like Tendulkar, Dhoni, and Kohli are more than athletes—they’re cultural legends and national symbols of success.
Verdict: Popularity ≠ National Status. Being popular doesn’t mean it’s the national sport. The government stays neutral so that all sports get a fair chance.
Public Appeals & Legal Petitions
After India’s bronze medal win in men’s hockey at Tokyo 2020, there was a strong push to declare hockey the national sport.
Celebrated as a historic moment, it reignited national pride and led to a PIL in the Supreme Court.
The petitioner highlighted hockey’s Olympic legacy and emotional connection. However, the court dismissed the plea, stating it’s a policy issue.
Similar appeals in Parliament stressed that official status could improve funding, recognition, and promotion of Indian sports globally.
What If India Declares a National Game in the Future?
Declaring a national sport could bring both opportunities and challenges, affecting symbolism, policy decisions, and cultural perceptions.
Symbolic Value
It could enhance focus and funding, especially for Olympic sports. Official recognition might boost grassroots development and international competitiveness in the designated sport.
Policy Impact
May lead to prioritisation, but risks other sports losing attention. Resource allocation could become skewed toward the “national” sport at the expense of emerging disciplines.
Cultural Divide
North-south and urban-rural sporting preferences vary significantly across India. Neutrality ensures fairness and prevents regional sporting biases from influencing national policy.
Expert Views
Many sports analysts argue that resources should go toward grassroots development across all sports rather than symbolic titles. Focus should remain on athlete development and infrastructure improvement.
The Future of Indian Sports
India’s sporting future depends on inclusive growth across multiple disciplines rather than naming a single national sport.
Government programs like TOPS and Khelo India support diverse talent, leading to India’s best Olympic performance in 2021.
Investments in infrastructure and professional leagues across sports show that success comes from broad development driven by public interest, not symbolic titles.
Conclusion: India has no official national sport, celebrating all games equally
India, with a rich sporting history in hockey and cricket, has no official “national sport.” The RTI response, public debates, and Supreme Court rulings emphasise inclusive growth over symbolic titles.
This neutral approach benefits Indian sports by supporting multiple disciplines simultaneously, reflected in India’s varied international medal success.
The national sports debate mirrors India’s “unity in diversity” ethos, celebrating all sports—from badminton to hockey.
Ultimately, India’s true sporting identity lies in the passion, achievements, and inspiration athletes provide across all games, not in official labels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Although hockey was widely believed to be India’s national game due to its Olympic legacy, it is not officially recognised, even in 2025.
kabaddi is not the national sport either, though India has dominated globally in kabaddi tournaments like the Asian Games and World Cups.
There is no officially designated national game of India as per government records and RTI responses.
Some legendary Indian hockey players include Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr., Dhanraj Pillay, Sardar Singh, and Rani Rampal.
In 2020, the government responded to an RTI saying no sport has been declared as the national sport.
