Indian Athletics Series 3 (IAS 3) 2026 is scheduled for April 11, 2026, in Sangrur, Punjab. It is the third leg of the 16-part Indian Athletics Series introduced by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to replace the old Grand Prix system and bring structured competition to athletes across the country.
Sangrur is a fitting venue. Punjab has produced some of India’s finest sprinters, including Gurindervir Singh, who just set a new 60m indoor national record of 6.60 seconds at the inaugural National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar on March 25, 2026. With IAS 3 arriving just two weeks later, the outdoor season in Punjab kicks off at exactly the right time.
This guide covers the date, venue, full 16-leg schedule, how the IAS works, why it matters for CWG Glasgow 2026 and the Asian Games 2026, and how to participate.
Indian Athletics Series 3: Date, Venue, and Quick Facts
Here is everything you need to know about IAS 3 in Sangrur at a glance:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Indian Athletics Series 3 (IAS 3) |
| Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Sangrur, Punjab |
| Organiser | Athletics Federation of India (AFI) |
| Series Leg | Leg 3 of 16 |
| Previous Leg (IAS 2) | April 5, 2026 – Udaipur, Rajasthan |
| Next Leg (IAS 4) | April 12, 2026 – Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| Official Website | indianathletics.in |
IAS 3 and IAS 4 form another back-to-back pair in the opening fortnight of the series, mirroring how IAS 1 (Bengaluru) and IAS 2 (Udaipur) ran on consecutive days the previous week.
Venue: War Heroes Stadium, Sangrur
IAS 3 is expected to be held at the War Heroes Stadium in Sangrur, the city’s primary athletics facility. The stadium has a 400m synthetic athletics track and has regularly hosted state- and district-level competitions.
The stadium has upgraded its infrastructure over the years. According to The Tribune India, the Central Government sanctioned Rs 8 crore for a multipurpose indoor complex at War Heroes Stadium, with the Punjab government contributing additional funds. The facility includes an athletics track, a gymnastics hall, a football ground, a hockey turf, a boxing ring, and basketball and volleyball courts.
User reviews on Google Maps describe the synthetic track as ‘awesome’ and the facility as well-suited for track and field events, with proper seating and coaching support available on-site. For an AFI-sanctioned competition like IAS 3, this track provides athletes a proper competitive surface to post qualifying performances.
Punjab and Athletics: Why Sangrur Makes Sense
Punjab is not just a cricket-loving state. It has a deep and proud track-and-field tradition that stretches back to Milkha Singh, who won the 440-yard gold at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and remains one of independent India’s most iconic sporting figures.
In 2026, Punjab’s biggest athletics name is Gurindervir Singh from Jalandhar. Just days before IAS 3, on March 25, 2026, Gurindervir blazed to a 60m indoor national record of 6.60 seconds at the inaugural National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. According to The Tribune, he eclipsed the previous indoor best of 6.67s. His comment after the race: “It was a good start to the 2026 season. I hope to sustain my efforts in outdoor races.”
IAS 3 in Sangrur is one of the first outdoor races of that season. It is also being held in Gurindervir’s home state, making it an event worth watching closely for sprint fans.
Punjab also regularly produces competitive athletes in shot put, discus, and field events. Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Punjab’s celebrated shot put athlete and two-time Asian Athletics gold medallist (2019 and 2023), is a prominent product of this tradition, as noted by Olympics.com. IAS legs like this one in Sangrur help identify the next generation of such athletes.
Full Schedule of the Indian Athletics Series 2026 (All 16 Legs)
IAS 3 is part of a 16-leg national circuit. Here is the complete schedule, sourced from the AFI official competition calendar, AFI Events Page, and ESPN India:
| Leg | Date | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAS 1 | April 4, 2026 | Bengaluru | Karnataka |
| IAS 2 | April 5, 2026 | Udaipur | Rajasthan |
| IAS 3 ★ | April 11, 2026 | Sangrur | Punjab |
| IAS 4 | April 12, 2026 | Ranchi | Jharkhand |
| IAS 5 | May 9, 2026 | New Delhi | Delhi |
| IAS 6 | May 10, 2026 | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| IAS 7 | June 6, 2026 | Guwahati | Assam |
| IAS 8 | June 7, 2026 | Pune | Maharashtra |
| IAS 9 | June 13, 2026 | Ludhiana | Punjab |
| IAS 10 | June 14, 2026 | Trivandrum | Kerala |
| IAS 11 | June 20, 2026 | Kolkata | West Bengal |
| IAS 12 | June 21, 2026 | Nadiad | Gujarat |
| IAS 13 | August 14, 2026 | Warangal | Telangana |
| IAS 14 | August 16, 2026 | Panchkula | Haryana |
| IAS 15 | August 29, 2026 | Shillong | Meghalaya |
| IAS 16 (Finals) | September 12, 2026 | New Delhi | Delhi |
What Is the Indian Athletics Series and Why Was It Created?
The Indian Athletics Series (IAS) is a brand-new 16-leg domestic circuit introduced by AFI for the 2026 season. It replaces the older Grand Prix system with a wider, more geographically spread model designed to bring more competitive exposure to regional athletes
AFI Competition Director Ravinder Chaudhry explained the rationale simply: “The Indian Athletics Series will give a chance to young athletes on the fringes to compete at a higher level with a minimum entry standard.”
As part of a broader structural push, AFI expanded its 2026 domestic calendar from 32 to 40 events, a 25% increase. The IAS is the centerpiece of this expansion, running from April to September across 14 states.
Importantly, junior events are also included in select IAS legs, giving Under-20 athletes competitive windows that did not previously exist at this level of the domestic circuit.
Why IAS 3 Matters: The Mandatory Participation Rule
Competing in IAS 3 is not just about chasing early-season form. For many athletes, it is about qualifying for the national championships later in 2026.
AFI has introduced a strict new eligibility rule for 2026:
- Athletes must compete in at least 2 AFI-sanctioned events to enter the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Championships in Ranchi (May 22-25)
- Athletes must compete in at least 3 AFI-sanctioned events, including state meets, to enter the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar (July 8-12)
So an athlete who competes at IAS 1 (Bengaluru), IAS 3 (Sangrur), and their state championship has already met the three-event threshold for the Inter-State Championships. The IAS legs are, therefore, qualifying building blocks, not optional warm-ups.
IAS 3 and the Road to CWG Glasgow 2026 and Asian Games
The 2026 season is India’s most consequential year in athletics in recent memory. Two major multi-sport events are on the calendar:
- Commonwealth Games 2026 – Glasgow, Scotland – July 23 to August 2
- Asian Games 2026 – Aichi-Nagoya, Japan – September 19 to October 4
National coach P. Radhakrishnan Nair confirmed to Olympics.com that athletes will need to compete in more than one select event to be considered for selection for either Games. The IAS legs count directly toward those mandatory appearances.
CWG 2026 Qualification Standards for Indian Athletes
AFI has set demanding CWG qualification marks across 17 events. According to AFI, as reported by The Tribune, athletes in 17 events must match or break existing national records to qualify. The CWG 2026 in Glasgow limits each country to 32 athletes (a maximum of 16 women).
| Event | Men’s Qualifying Mark | Women’s Qualifying Mark |
|---|---|---|
| 100m | 10.16s | 11.17s |
| 400m | 44.96s | 51.36s |
| 1500m | 3:30.82 | 4:05.09 |
| 5000m | 13:19.64 | 14:56.60 |
| 10,000m | 27:39.03 | 31:14.14 |
| Javelin Throw | 82.61m | – |
| Mixed 4x400m Relay | 3:16.00 | 3:16.00 |
The Federation Cup in Ranchi (May 22-25) is confirmed as the final selection trial for CWG 2026. Contestants who accumulate competitive appearances at IAS legs, such as IAS 3, will be better positioned, both physically and in terms of eligibility, to compete at the trials.
Athletes to Watch at IAS 3 Sangrur and the IAS Circuit
Athletes to watch out for IAS 3
Gurindervir Singh (Sprints – Punjab)
The most relevant athlete to IAS 3, given the Punjab venue, is Gurindervir Singh from Jalandhar. Just two weeks before this competition, he set a 60m indoor national best of 6.60 seconds at the inaugural National Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar, as reported by The Tribune. The Jalandhar-born sprinter, nicknamed “Flying Sikh-2” for his pace, set the outdoor 100m national record of 10.20s in 2025, only to be surpassed by Animesh Kujur.
Gurindervir is currently India’s fastest man in sprint starts after Animesh Kujur. Competing close to home in Punjab, IAS 3 is a natural first outdoor race of his 2026 season.
Animesh Kujur (Sprints – Odisha)
India’s current 100m and 200m national record holder, Animesh Kujur, holds the 100m mark at 10.18s. He was dramatically disqualified from the 60m final in Bhubaneswar due to a third false start. The IAS circuit legs give him a controlled outdoor platform to reset before the Diamond League and national championship season.
The CWG 2026 qualification mark of 10.16s is just 0.02s better than his current national record. Every early-season race matters.
Kiran Pahal (400m – Haryana)
Haryana’s Kiran Pahal is India’s top women’s 400m runner, having clocked 50.92 seconds at the 63rd National Inter-State Championships in 2024. With the CWG women’s 400m mark set at 51.36s, Pahal has already beaten it. IAS legs help her maintain a competitive rhythm ahead of the Federation Cup trials and ultimately the Asian Games.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Shot Put – Punjab)
Though primarily a shot putter, Tajinderpal Singh Toor from Punjab exemplifies the kind of established national-level athlete the IAS supports in building mandatory competition counts. He is a two-time Asian Athletics Championship gold medallist and a Paris 2024 Olympian, per Olympics.com.
Hima Das and Emerging 400m Runners
India’s sprint relay pipeline depends on a strong 400m group. With Hima Das having made her mark on the Indian athletics circuit and a new generation following, IAS legs like IAS 3 give emerging 400m runners from Punjab and Haryana early competitive exposure in a home-state environment.
How to Participate in the Indian Athletics Series 3
Eligibility Criteria
The IAS has relaxed minimum entry standards compared to national-level meets. Both senior and junior athletes are eligible for select legs. Athletes must be registered members of an AFI-affiliated State Athletics Association.
Additionally, participation in the State Athletics Championship is compulsory for all athletes wishing to compete in the AFI national competition pipeline in 2026, as confirmed in AFI’s November 2025 press release.
Registration and Entry Process
- Register with your State Athletics Association (Punjab Athletics Association for IAS 3)
- Your state unit submits entries to AFI before the circular deadline
- Check AFI Circular No. 29 for IAS 2 and related IAS circulars at indianathletics.in for event-specific deadlines
- Ensure your performance meets the minimum entry standard for your chosen event
- Log in to the AFI athlete portal at indianathletics.in for updates
How the Indian Athletics Series Format Works
The IAS is a circuit model; Legs 1 through 15 are open qualifying events, while IAS 16 (Finals, New Delhi, September 12, 2026) is an invitation-only event for top performers across the season. Think of it as a domestic version of the Diamond League: consistent performances across legs earn athletes a spot at the season-ending finale.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Legs | 16 (Legs 1-15 open + Leg 16 Finals by invitation) |
| Duration | April to September 2026 |
| Geographic Spread | 14 states across India |
| Finals Venue | New Delhi – September 12, 2026 |
| Athlete Categories | Senior + Junior (select legs) |
| Entry Standard | Relaxed vs national championships |
| Replaces | Old Grand Prix Series |
| Series Organiser | Athletics Federation of India (AFI) |
Where IAS 3 Sits in India’s 2026 Athletics Season
By the time IAS 3 arrives on April 11, the 2026 athletics season is already well underway. Here is what has happened before IAS 3:
- January 24: 60th National Cross Country Championships, Ranchi
- February 21-22: 13th Indian Open Race-Walking Competition, Chandigarh
- March 7-8: 5th Indian Open Throws Competition, Patiala
- March 14-15: 5th Indian Open Jumps Competition, Bengaluru
- March 24-25: 1st National Indoor Athletics Championships, Bhubaneswar
- March 28: 3rd National Open Relay Competition, Chandigarh
- April 4: IAS 1 – Bengaluru
- April 5: IAS 2 – Udaipur
By IAS 3, athletes competing at IAS 1 and IAS 2 already have two appearances under their belts, meeting the minimum threshold for the Federation Cup. IAS 3 gives them a third appearance to become eligible for the Inter-State Championships, while first-timers to the circuit can open their 2026 season closer to home in northern India.
The Bigger Picture: What the IAS Means for Indian Athletics
The IAS represents a real structural shift in how AFI thinks about athlete development. The older Grand Prix model was elite-first. The IAS is funnel-first: wider eligibility, geographic distribution, and consistent competition that builds a deeper national talent pipeline.
According to IndiaSportsHub, AFI’s 2026 calendar creates what they describe as an integrated performance ecosystem. IAS legs connect regional talent to national championships, national championships connect to the Games, and the Games build India’s global profile.
At Birmingham CWG 2022, India won 8 athletics medals (one gold, four silver, three bronze) out of 61 total, as confirmed by Olympics.com. The 2026 setup is built to improve that. Sangrur, Ranchi, Ludhiana, Guwahati: these are not glamorous venues, but they are exactly where that improvement starts.
Where can I get official information about IAS 3?
Visit indianathletics.in and check AFI Circulars 2026 for the latest entry standards, schedule updates, and registration details.
Indian Athletics Series 3 in Sangrur starts on April 11, 2026!
The Indian Athletics Series 3 in Sangrur on April 11, 2026, arrives at one of the most exciting moments in Indian sprinting in years. With Gurindervir Singh having just broken the 60m indoor national record and the national team building toward CWG Glasgow and the Asian Games, every competitive repetition counts.
Sangrur is not just a stop on a schedule. It is the third leg of a circuit that is changing how India finds and develops its next generation of athletes. The IAS Finals in New Delhi are on September 12, and the road to them runs through Punjab.
