The 24th National Junior (U20) Athletics Federation Competition 2026 is scheduled from April 24-26, 2026, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is the premier three-day junior track and field meet on the AFI calendar, open exclusively to athletes in the Under-20 age group.
This is where India’s next wave of athletics talent competes at a national level for the first time. The 23rd edition in Prayagraj in June 2025 drew over 1,000 athletes from 44 teams across 48 medal events, with four junior national records broken over three days. The 24th edition in Bengaluru is expected to follow the same pattern.
For U20 athletes, this meet is also a direct stepping stone: performances here count toward the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 qualification window (August 5-9, Eugene, Oregon), which runs until July 26, 2026. Here is everything you need to know about the event.
24th National Junior (U20) Athletics Federation Competition 2026: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | 24th National Junior (U20) Federation Athletics Competition 2026 |
| Date | April 24-26, 2026 (Three-day competition) |
| Age Category | Under-20 (U20) — Born on or after January 1, 2007 |
| Venue | Bengaluru, Karnataka (updated February 2026 AFI calendar) |
| Note on venue | Originally announced as Mangalore/Mangaluru; revised to Bengaluru per the February 10, 2026, AFI calendar update |
| Organiser | Athletics Federation of India (AFI) with Karnataka Athletics Association |
| Previous Edition | 23rd edition — Madan Mohan Malviya Sports Stadium, Prayagraj, June 22-24, 2025 |
| Events | Approx. 48 medal events (track, field, combined events, race walk — U20 Men and Women) |
| Entry Standard | Performance achieved in National/State/AFI-recognised meets (electronic timing required) |
| Entry Fee | INR 500 per event (non-refundable) |
| Official Source | indianathletics.in |
Note on Venue Change
The event was originally listed as Mangalore (Mangaluru), Karnataka, in the November 2025 AFI calendar announcement. The updated February 10, 2026, AFI Competition Calendar PDF lists the venue as Bengaluru, Karnataka. State unit calendars from the Uttarakhand and UP Athletics Associations (published in February 2026) also list Bangalore as the location of their state trials for this event. The AFI Events page currently shows Mangalore for April 24-26.
What Is the National Junior Athletics Federation Competition?
The National Junior Federation Athletics Competition is an Under-20 (U20) national meet organised annually by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). It is the junior equivalent of the senior Federation Cup and occupies a similar structural role in the junior athletics calendar: the primary competition for U20-age athletes before the National Junior Athletics Championships later in the year.
The meet is distinct from the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships (scheduled for October 23-27, 2026, in Chennai), which is the season-ending junior competition. The Federation Competition in April serves as an early-season qualifier where U20 athletes chase entry standards, test form, and build the competition record needed for subsequent selection events.
Unlike the Indian Athletics Series, which is an open-entry regional circuit with relaxed standards, the National Junior Federation Competition requires athletes to have met preset entry standards at national, state, or AFI-recognised meets using electronic timing. This makes it a step up in competitive level from most regional meets.
Events at the 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition 2026
Based on the 23rd edition in Prayagraj (2025), which featured 48 medal events, the event structure typically covers all standard track, field, combined events, race walk, and relay disciplines for U20 Men and Women. Individual athletes can enter a maximum of two events.
| Event Group | Men’s Events | Women’s Events |
|---|---|---|
| Track (Sprint) | 100m, 200m, 400m | 100m, 200m, 400m |
| Track (Middle Distance) | 800m, 1500m, 5000m | 800m, 1500m, 3000m / 5000m |
| Track (Hurdles) | 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles | 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles |
| Track (Steeplechase) | 2000m Steeplechase | 2000m Steeplechase |
| Track (Walk) | 5000m / 10km Race Walk | 5000m / 10km Race Walk |
| Field (Jumps) | Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault | Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault |
| Field (Throws) | Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, Javelin | Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, Javelin |
| Combined Events | Decathlon (2 days) | Heptathlon (2 days) |
| Relays | 4x100m, 4x400m | 4x100m, 4x400m |
One important note: age verification is mandatory at the meet. All athletes must produce original proof of date of birth before the Age Verification Committee. Under AFI rules, documents in regional languages must be accompanied by an attested English or Hindi translation. Athletes must also carry their AFI UID card to the call room when requested.
Eligibility: Who Can Participate?
The National Junior Federation Competition is open to all Under-20 athletes affiliated with AFI through state, UT, or recognised institutional units. Here is the full eligibility breakdown:
- Age: U20 athletes born on or after January 1, 2007, for the 2026 edition.
- Entry standard: Athletes must have achieved the prescribed entry standard for their event in a National, State/UT, or AFI-recognised meet with electronic timing, within the last two years.
- Registration: Entry fee of INR 500 per event, submitted online. The entry fee is non-refundable.
- Team representation: Athletes must represent their affiliated state association or recognised institutional unit.
- Age verification: Mandatory original proof of date of birth at the venue.
- Maximum events: Each athlete may enter up to 2 individual events.
What Happened at the 23rd Edition in Prayagraj (2025)
The 23rd National Junior (U20) Federation Athletics Championships was held from June 22-24, 2025, at the Madan Mohan Malviya Sports Stadium, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. It set the standard against which the 24th edition will be measured.
Over 1,000 athletes from 44 teams competed across 48 medal events. Uttar Pradesh sent the largest contingent with 229 athletes, followed by Haryana (96) and Rajasthan (87).
Four junior national records were broken over the three days, along with several meet records. The table below captures the standout performances:
| Athlete | State/Club | Event | Performance | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuvaraj S | Tamil Nadu | Men’s 110m Hurdles | 13.69s | New junior national record (prev. 13.74s by Tejas Shirse, 2021) |
| Ujjawal Chaudhary | JSW | Men’s Discus | 59.51m | New junior national record (prev. 59.34m by same athlete, March 2025) |
| Vanshika Ghanghas | NCOE Bangalore | Women’s Pole Vault | 3.90m | New junior national record (prev. 3.76m by same athlete, 2024) |
| Astik Pradhan | Odisha | Men’s 400m | 46.58s | New meet record (prev. 46.90s set by Bapi Hansda) |
| Shahnavaz Khan | Uttar Pradesh | Men’s Long Jump | 7.90m | New meet record (prev. 7.70m set by S Lokesh in 2019) |
| Nitin Gupta | Uttar Pradesh | Men’s 10km Race Walk | 39:46.78 | New junior national record (prev. 40:40.97 by Amit Khatri, 2021) |
Key Storyline from 2025: Three Records on Day 2 Alone
The second day of the 23rd edition was the most explosive. The men’s 110m hurdles
final produced a clean sweep of the junior national record, with all three medal winners clearing the previous mark of 13.74 seconds set by Tejas Shirse in 2021. Yuvaraj S (Tamil Nadu) won gold with 13.69 seconds, Sandeep V (Reliance) took silver with 13.70 seconds, and Kiran K (Kerala) claimed bronze also at 13.70 seconds. That is three national records in the same race.
In the men’s discus throw, Ujjawal Chaudhary (JSW) threw 59.51m to break his own national record. He had set the previous mark of 59.34m just three months earlier in Mumbai. His throw at Prayagraj also reset the meet record, which had stood since 2014.
Why the 24th Edition Matters in 2026
World Athletics U20 Championships 2026: Eugene, Oregon, August 5-9
This is the most direct high-stakes reason for junior athletes to perform at the April meet. The World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 will be held in Eugene, Oregon, USA, from August 5-9, 2026. The qualification period runs from October 1, 2025, to July 26, 2026.
The April 24-26 Federation Competition gives U20 athletes one of their best domestic opportunities within the qualification window to post a World U20 standard. Athletes who performed well at the
Those who may have already qualified at the 40th National Junior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar (October 2025) have April 2026 as a key window before the July 26 deadline, but those who missed that window have April 2026 as a key window before the July 26 deadline.
Notable Indian qualifiers from the October 2025 Junior Championships for World U20 include:
- Men’s 400m: Mohammed Ashfaq (46.87s), Sharan M (47.09s), Rohit Chaudhary (47.17s) — all cleared the 47.40s standard.
- Women’s 400m / 200m: Neeru Pathak (53.30s in 400m, 24.05s in 200m) — both events cleared.
- Men’s Long Jump: Parth Singh — cleared the standard at the National Junior Championships.
- Women’s Long Jump: Mubassina Mohammed (6.30m) — cleared the 6.12m World U20 mark.
- Men’s Javelin: Himanshu (80.38m) and Rishabh Giri (68.76m) — both cleared the 68.50m standard.
Asian U23 Athletics Championships Qualification
The 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Championships in Ranchi (May 22-25) doubles as a qualification window for the 2026 Asian U23 Athletics Championships. A strong U20 athlete who is also within the U23 age bracket can use the April 24-26 Federation Competition as competitive preparation before arriving in Ranchi.
First Competition After State Meets: Mandatory Participation Context
For U20 athletes who also compete in senior categories, the April Federation Competition arrives right after the April state championship window. State Championships in many states (Kerala, Karnataka, UP, Tamil Nadu, Haryana) are held in March-April. The National Junior Federation Competition in Bengaluru is one of the first national-level opportunities after those state championships conclude.
AFI’s 2026 mandatory competition rules require senior-category athletes to compete in at least two AFI events before the Federation Cup and three events, including a state meet, before the Inter-State Championships. A versatile U20 athlete competing in both this junior meet and one senior IAS leg will have efficiently stacked their mandatory appearances.
The Junior Athletics Competition Ladder in 2026
The 24th National Junior Federation Competition fits into a clear progression of junior athletics events in 2026. Here is how the ladder looks:
| Competition | Date | Location | Age Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIDJAM (20th National Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet) | TBD | TBD | Junior |
| 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition ★ | April 24-26, 2026 | Bengaluru, Karnataka | U20 |
| State Zone Junior Meets | August 16-31, 2026 | Multiple Zones | Junior / U20 |
| 21st National Youth Athletics Championships | September 1-3, 2026 | Ludhiana, Punjab | U18 |
| 41st National Junior Athletics Championships | October 23-27, 2026 | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Junior / U20 |
The April Federation Competition functions as the mid-season junior selector: rigorous enough to demand genuine entry standards, early enough in the season to allow athletes to improve on their marks before the season-ending 41st National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai (October 23-27)
Where Bengaluru Fits as a Venue for Indian Junior Athletics
Bengaluru is one of India’s most active athletics cities. The Anju Bobby George Foundation (ABG Foundation) track in Bengaluru has hosted the 5th Indian Open Jumps Competition (March 14-15, 2026), is the venue for Indian Athletics Series 1 (April 4, 2026), and will host IAS 16 (September 5, 2026)
The final regular leg of the Indian Athletics Series before the Invitational Final. It is also the confirmed venue for the 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition (April 24-26, 2026)
The city has deep athletics infrastructure, a strong state association, and a history of hosting national-level junior and senior competitions. Bengaluru athletes and Karnataka’s state squad also benefit from home advantage at a meet where local support and familiar conditions can sharpen performance.
Karnataka’s state selection trials for the 24th National Junior Federation Competition were held in Bengaluru in April 2026, based on the state unit calendar. This means local athletes would have already competed at the same facility just weeks before the national meet.
24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition in the Full 2026 Calendar Context
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | 3rd National Open Relay Competition (World Relays Selection) | Chandigarh |
| April 4-12, 2026 | Indian Athletics Series 1-4 | Bengaluru / Udaipur / Sangrur / Ranchi |
| April 24-26, 2026 ★ | 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| May 2-3, 2026 | 1st Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| May 5-9, 2026 | Indian Athletics Series 5 | New Delhi |
| May 22-25, 2026 | 29th National Senior Federation Championships (CWG Trials) | Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| July 8-12, 2026 | 65th National Inter-State Championships (Asian Games Trials) | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| August 5-9, 2026 | World Athletics U20 Championships | Eugene, Oregon, USA |
| July 23 to Aug 2, 2026 | Commonwealth Games 2026 | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Sept 19 to Oct 4, 2026 | Asian Games 2026 | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
| October 23-27, 2026 | 41st National Junior Athletics Championships | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
The three days in Bengaluru from April 24-26 come at a natural intersection: after the initial IAS legs have opened the season, and just before the World Relays in Botswana and World U20 qualification pressure
intensifies heading into May. Junior athletes who run, jump, or throw their best here have a clear runway to the national championships, the U20 Worlds qualifier, and eventually the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai
Anti-Doping at the Junior Level
One area where the AFI has been vocal about the junior circuit is anti-doping
AFI spokesperson and former president Adille Sumariwalla flagged the junior level as a specific area of concern: he said incentivisation structures at the junior level are contributing to doping pressures and called for the ministry to hold cash rewards until athletes are older. He also pushed for the criminalization of doping and the extension of random drug testing to state meets as well.
At the competition venue, an AFI Age Verification Committee and a team of doctors will be present to verify the age of all athletes. AFI UID cards are also mandatory in the call room. This two-layer check is a standard procedure at all national junior meets.
How to Register and Stay Updated
All entry information for the 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition will be published by AFI through the official circular system. The specific circular for this event will appear on the Circular 2026 page once published. State units typically link athletes through to AFI’s ORS (Online Registration System)
- Official Website:indianathletics.in
- Circular 2026 Page:indianathletics.in/circular_category/circular-2026
- Updated Competition Calendar (Feb 2026):indianathletics.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/COMPETITION-CALENDAR-2026.pdf
- AFI Events Page:indianathletics.in/afi-events
- Results (post-meet):indianathletics.in/results
- State Unit Calendars (for state-level selection trials):indianathletics.in/state-unit-calendars-2
The AFI website also carries the Competition Schedule, BIB List, Rejected List, and Start Lists for each event in advance, following the same format used for the 23rd edition in Prayagraj and the 7th Indian Open 400m in Trivandrum.
The 24th National Junior (U20) Athletics Federation Competition 2026 in Bengaluru
The 24th National Junior (U20) Athletics Federation Competition 2026 in Bengaluru is where India’s next generation of track and field athletes gets its first real national reckoning. Three days, 48 medal events, entry standards enforced, and age verification mandatory.
The 23rd edition in Prayagraj proved how competitive this meet has become: four junior national records in three days, including a clean sweep of the 110m hurdles record by the top three finishers. The 24th edition in Bengaluru, a city with deep athletics roots and home to the ABG Foundation track, sets up well for more of the same.
With the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026
The qualification window is still open until July 26, and the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships
In Chennai, six months away, April 24-26 in Bengaluru is the best early-season shot for India’s U20 athletes to announce themselves.
For the official circular, schedule, and results, visit indianathletics.in.
