The Centre will organise the nationwide “Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Modi Ke Saath” on August 27 as part of the celebrations for National Sports Day 2026. The initiative will connect young athletes, students, sportspersons and policymakers across more than 1,500 educational institutions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address young participants virtually during the programme and speak on sports, youth leadership and the vision of Viksit Bharat. The initiative is designed to provide young people with a platform to share ideas and suggestions on the future of India's sports ecosystem and youth development.

According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), institutions including IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, leading medical colleges and universities will participate in the nationwide programme. Physical programmes will begin simultaneously at participating institutions after the Prime Minister's virtual address.

Four Key Themes

The dialogue will focus on four broad areas related to sports and youth development. These include strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure, improving coaching and opportunities for athletes, developing talent for the 2036 Olympics and encouraging greater youth participation in governance.

The programme will also discuss future-ready skills, volunteering and opportunities for young people to contribute to nation-building.

A major focus will be on identifying and nurturing sporting talent through scientific methods and structured athlete development. The initiative comes amid India's broader efforts to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and prepare athletes for future international competitions.

Athletes to Interact With Youth

Young participants will also get an opportunity to interact with leading Indian sportspersons and medal winners. According to the PIB, prominent athletes including Deepa Karmakar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Sreejesh, Mary Kom, Baichung Bhutia, Gopichand, Anju Bobby George, Karnam Malleswari, Mirabai Chanu and P.T. Usha will participate.

Prominent cricketers are also expected to engage with young participants and discuss their sporting journeys, challenges and experiences.

The interactions are intended to give students and aspiring athletes a closer understanding of the challenges involved in building a sporting career and the experiences of athletes who have competed at the highest levels.

Policymakers to Join Dialogue

The programme will bring policymakers into direct interaction with young people. Members of Parliament, MLAs, Union Ministers, Ministers of State and state sports ministers will participate at various locations.

They will engage with youth and gather suggestions on the four identified themes, creating a platform for discussions between young people, athletes and government representatives.

The government has positioned the initiative as a way to connect the experiences and aspirations of young people at the grassroots level with policymaking.

Focus on 2036 Olympics

The development of athletes with an eye on the 2036 Olympics will be one of the key areas of discussion. The dialogue will explore scientific talent identification and athlete development as part of efforts to build a stronger pipeline of sporting talent.

The government is also seeking to expand youth participation beyond competitive sports by encouraging leadership, volunteering and engagement in nation-building activities.

Quiz and MY Bharat Registration

The programme will also feature the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Quiz. Young participants will be encouraged to register on the MY Bharat Portal, providing an opportunity for continued youth engagement beyond the August 27 event.

The nationwide format is expected to bring together thousands of young people at educational institutions across the country, allowing them to participate in discussions around sports, leadership and India's future development.

The initiative is being organised as part of National Sports Day 2026 and aims to place young people at the centre of discussions on India's sporting transformation and youth development.

India’s Commonwealth Games campaign gathered momentum after athletes won six medals across weightlifting, athletics and para-athletics on Monday, taking the country’s overall tally to 10.

India now has two gold, five silver and three bronze medals and stands eighth in the medal table. Australia continues to dominate the competition, while England and Canada occupy the next two positions.

The six-medal burst followed a relatively quiet opening phase and gave the Indian contingent a timely lift as the Games moved into another decisive day.

Medal Tally So Far

India’s rise has been driven mainly by weightlifting and athletics. Monday alone produced one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

India’s Medal Winners

The confirmed six-medal haul on Monday came from Sharmila Dhankar, Sarvesh Kushare, Valluri Ajaya Babu, Gyaneshwari Yadav, Bindyarani Devi and Shilpa K. Shyla.

Editorial caution: The complete official winners list should be refreshed immediately before publication because results are being updated during the Games.

Monday’s Medal Rush

Sharmila Dhankar delivered the standout performance by winning India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold in para-athletics. Her success gave the contingent its second gold after Mirabai Chanu’s triumph in the women’s 48kg weightlifting event.

Sarvesh Kushare created history by winning silver in the men’s high jump. Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav added two more weightlifting silvers, while Bindyarani Devi and Shilpa K. Shyla secured bronze medals.

The results lifted India from the lower half of the table to eighth place, ahead of Jamaica and New Zealand at the time of the morning update.

Medals Expected Next

India entered Tuesday with strong opportunities in two weightlifting finals and two athletics finals. Five boxers were also due to compete in quarterfinals, with each victory guaranteeing at least a bronze medal.

The best immediate medal prospects appear to be Nirupama Devi Seram and Harjinder Kaur in weightlifting, along with Pooja Singh in the women’s high jump. Boxing could add several assured medals if Indian quarterfinalists advance.

Key Events Schedule

The schedule remains subject to qualification results and event delays.

Weightlifting Leads Campaign

Weightlifting has once again emerged as India’s most dependable medal source. Mirabai Chanu opened the gold account, while Raja Muthupandi, Valluri Ajaya Babu, Gyaneshwari Yadav and Bindyarani Devi strengthened the tally.

The next two finals could extend that run. Nirupama Devi and Harjinder Kaur carry expectations because Indian lifters have already shown strong form across multiple categories.

Boxing Could Transform Tally

Boxing may decide whether India moves sharply up the standings.

Five quarterfinal victories would guarantee five medals, even before the colour of those medals is decided. However, several Indian boxers face strong opponents from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Zambia.

That makes Tuesday less about merely entering the ring and more about converting a promising draw into assured podium places.

What India Needs Next

India’s medal count remains well behind the leading countries, but the campaign has clearly entered a stronger phase.

A productive night in weightlifting, high jump and boxing could push the tally well beyond 10. The realistic target is not to chase Australia’s lead, but to climb steadily through the middle of the table and maximise traditional strengths.

For Indian viewers, the most important medal windows begin from early evening and continue past midnight. The next few events will show whether Monday’s Glasgow surge was a one-day breakthrough or the beginning of India’s strongest phase at the Commonwealth Games 2026.

India’s impressive run in weightlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games received another major boost as Gyaneshwari Yadav clinched the silver medal in the women’s 53kg category, delivering a personal-best performance to secure a place on the podium in Glasgow. The achievement adds another medal to India’s growing tally and marks a significant milestone in the career of the 23-year-old lifter from Chhattisgarh. (NDTV Sports)

Competing against a strong international field, Gyaneshwari registered a combined lift of 199kg, successfully lifting 88kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk. The career-best effort earned her the silver medal, while Nigeria’s Onome Omolola Didih claimed the gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 206kg (93kg + 113kg). (NDTV Sports)

The medal further strengthens India’s dominance in weightlifting at the Glasgow Games. Gyaneshwari became the latest Indian lifter to reach the podium after earlier medal-winning performances by Mirabai Chanu, Rishikanta Singh, and Muthupandi Raja, reinforcing the country’s reputation as one of the strongest weightlifting nations in the Commonwealth. (The Times of India)

Journey from Chhattisgarh

Hailing from Bhondiya village in Rajnandgaon district, Gyaneshwari’s rise to international success has been shaped by years of perseverance and financial hardship. She is the daughter of an electrician, and her sporting journey began in a local gym where she trained under coach Ajay Lohar. Despite limited resources, her family continued to support her ambitions, often making personal sacrifices to fund her training, equipment and nutrition. (NDTV Sports)

Before making her mark at the Commonwealth Games, Gyaneshwari had already established herself on the continental stage. Earlier this year, she won medals at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships, signalling her emergence as one of India’s most promising lifters in the lighter weight categories.

Apart from representing India internationally, Gyaneshwari also serves as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in the Chhattisgarh Police, balancing her professional responsibilities with elite-level sporting commitments.

Emotional Triumph

The silver medal carries special emotional significance for the Indian weightlifter. According to her family, Gyaneshwari competed while her brother was recovering in hospital following an accident. Before leaving for the Games, she had promised him that she would return with a medal. Her performance in Glasgow fulfilled that promise, making the achievement even more memorable for her family.

National Recognition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gyaneshwari on her success, describing the medal as even more remarkable because it came with a personal-best performance. He said her achievement would inspire young athletes across the country and wished her continued success in the future. (PM India)

Leaders from Chhattisgarh, including Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, also praised the athlete, calling her success a proud moment for both the state and the nation. Sports administrators and weightlifting officials hailed the result as another indication of India's growing depth in international weightlifting.

India’s Campaign Gains Momentum

Gyaneshwari’s silver came during one of India’s strongest days at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with multiple medals arriving across weightlifting and athletics. The performances helped India improve its position in the overall medal standings while underlining the country’s growing strength across several sporting disciplines. (The Economic Times)

For Gyaneshwari Yadav, however, the silver medal represents more than just a podium finish. It reflects years of determination, family support and relentless hard work that transformed a small-town athlete into one of India’s newest Commonwealth Games medallists.

Sharmila's victory was one of the standout moments of India's most successful day at the Games so far. Alongside her triumph, fellow Indian Shilpa K. Shyla secured bronze in the same event after an official review upgraded her finishing position, giving India its first-ever double podium finish in Commonwealth Games para athletics.

Behind the historic achievement lies a remarkable story of resilience and determination.

Born in Chitrouli village of Haryana's Mahendragarh district, Sharmila contracted polio at the age of two, leaving one of her legs permanently affected. Her father was a marginal farmer while her mother is visually impaired. Financial hardship meant she never received advanced medical treatment, and she was married at a young age.

Her personal struggles continued after marriage. According to accounts shared by Sharmila, she was abandoned by her first husband at the age of 26 and returned to her parental home with her two daughters. A few years later, she married Ajit, who encouraged her to pursue para athletics after reading about para sport in a newspaper.

Sharmila entered competitive para athletics relatively late. At the age of 34, she began training in the seated Shot Put F57 category under coaches Tek Chand and Devendra in Rewari. However, pursuing professional sport came at a significant financial cost.

In 2023, her family reportedly sold their house to fund her training, forcing them to move into rented accommodation. Despite the sacrifices, Sharmila continued preparing for national and international competitions without interruption.

Before taking up para athletics, Sharmila had briefly worked as Haryana Roadways' first woman bus conductor during the employees' strike in 2018. The appointment lasted only for the duration of the strike, after which her job ended. The experience, however, strengthened her resolve to build a career through sport.

Her performances steadily improved over the following years. She represented India at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 before winning gold at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championship earlier this year, establishing herself among India's leading para throwers.

The Commonwealth Games gold is the biggest achievement of her career so far.

Following her victory, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini congratulated the athlete, while tributes poured in across the country for her inspiring journey from adversity to international success.

Speaking after the event, Sharmila dedicated the medal to her mother and said she hoped to continue bringing honours to India at future international competitions, including the Asian Games and the Paralympics.

Her success has become one of the defining stories of India's Commonwealth Games campaign, demonstrating how perseverance, family support and determination helped transform years of hardship into a historic sporting milestone.

Among all disciplines, India's strongest medal hopes rest with the para powerlifting team. Seven Indian lifters will compete across six medal events, making it one of the country's busiest and most promising sports on Friday's schedule.

The action begins in the men's lightweight category, where Ashok Kumar Malik and Paramjeet Kumar will represent India. In the women's lightweight division, Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi will look to challenge for podium finishes. Later in the day, Kasturi Rajamani will compete in the women's heavyweight event, while Sudhir and Jhandu Kumar will take part in the men's heavyweight competition.

Indian officials remain optimistic that para powerlifting could contribute significantly to the country's medal tally, given the team's recent performances at international competitions.

Lawn bowls, which provided India with a winning start before the opening ceremony, will once again attract attention. The women's pairs combination of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinky will face South Africa's Thabelo Muvhango and Jackie van Rensburg in their second sectional-round match.

The Indian duo opened their campaign with a hard-fought victory and will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run. In the men's singles event, Puttul Sonowal will take on Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands after producing an impressive performance in his opening fixture.

Artistic gymnastics will also feature Indian participation as Tapeshwarnath Das, Swathish KP, Tapan Mohanty and Yogeshwar Singh compete in the men's team final alongside the individual qualification events. The competition offers an opportunity for India's gymnasts to make an impact despite facing strong opposition from traditional Commonwealth powerhouses.

In swimming, Olympian Srihari Nataraj will begin his campaign in the men's 50m backstroke heats. Qualification from the heats would see him progress to the semi-finals later in the day.

India will also be represented in para swimming, where R.V.V.B.K. Budigina will compete in the men's 100m freestyle S13 heats. A strong performance could secure him a place in the medal race.

The boxing ring will witness India's Jadumani Singh taking on Scotland's Aaron Cullen in the men's 55kg Round of 32 contest. The bout marks India's first men's boxing appearance of the Games and is expected to be closely contested.

Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has already guaranteed herself at least a bronze medal without entering the ring. Competing in the women's 75kg category, Lovlina received a direct entry into the semi-finals after being awarded a bye in the quarter-finals due to the small draw size.

Only five boxers are competing in the division, resulting in Lovlina, Australia's Emma-Sue Greentree and Tuvalu's Tarona Khanum Badi Pasooni advancing directly to the last four. Under Commonwealth Games regulations, both losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals.

Lovlina is scheduled to face Tarona Khanum Badi Pasooni in the semi-finals on July 31. A victory there would secure her first-ever Commonwealth Games final appearance.

The tournament also presents Lovlina with an opportunity to erase memories of Birmingham 2022, where she narrowly missed out on a medal after losing a closely fought quarter-final against Wales' Rosie Eccles.

With multiple medal events lined up and India's strongest disciplines entering competition, the second day of the Glasgow Games could prove crucial in shaping the country's early position in the medals table. Strong performances in para powerlifting and lawn bowls, combined with positive results in boxing and gymnastics, would provide further momentum as the competition progresses.

Carrying the Indian tricolour, the two decorated athletes walked at the front of the delegation during the traditional Parade of Nations, marking the official beginning of India's campaign at the Games. The ceremony was attended by Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with the monarch formally declaring the Commonwealth Games open.

The opening ceremony combined Scotland's rich cultural heritage with music, dance and visual performances, giving thousands of spectators inside the arena a glimpse of the country's traditions. A performance featuring Scotland's iconic bagpipes, alongside contemporary cultural presentations, set the tone before athletes from all 74 participating nations and territories marched into the arena.

For India, the event carried additional significance as the country's athletes had already begun their campaign before the official opening ceremony. The early results provided an encouraging start, with Indian competitors registering victories in lawn bowls.

Puttul Sonowal produced one of the standout performances by defeating reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada in the singles event. In the women's doubles competition, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinky opened their campaign with a hard-fought victory over Malta's Rebecca Lewis Rickson and Connie-Leigh Rickson in a tie-break.

The Indian contingent entered the Games with expectations across several disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting and lawn bowls. Although the programme has been reduced compared to previous editions, Indian athletes remain among the leading medal contenders in several events.

One of the country's biggest medal hopes, Lovlina Borgohain, has already assured herself of at least a bronze medal. Competing in the women's 75kg boxing category, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist received a direct entry into the semi-finals, guaranteeing a podium finish regardless of the outcome of her next bout.

Mirabai Chanu, meanwhile, returns to the Commonwealth Games as one of India's most successful weightlifters. A former Commonwealth champion and Olympic silver medallist, she will once again be expected to challenge for the top honours in her category.

The opening ceremony itself marked a historic occasion for Glasgow. For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, the event was staged entirely inside the OVO Hydro Arena rather than a traditional outdoor stadium. The venue welcomed around 13,000 spectators who witnessed a blend of sporting celebration and Scottish cultural performances.

Following the arrival of King Charles and Queen Camilla, the British national anthem, God Save the King, was performed before the Parade of Nations commenced. Athletes from across the Commonwealth then marched into the arena, with the host nation Scotland entering last to loud applause from the home crowd.

India has sent a 125-member squad to compete across ten sports during the Games, which run from July 23 to August 2. Despite the absence of several medal-rich disciplines from this edition, the contingent will be aiming to maintain India's strong record at the Commonwealth Games.

Officials are optimistic that athletes in boxing, athletics, weightlifting and lawn bowls can deliver podium finishes, while younger competitors will also look to make an impression on the international stage.

With the opening ceremony complete and competition already underway in several events, India's focus now shifts fully to the medal race as the Glasgow Games enter their first full day of action.

The ASMITA Programme, organised under the flagship initiatives of the Fit India Movement and Khelo India, was held on Saturday at Cambridge School, bringing together young athletes, sports administrators, and educators to promote inclusivity and excellence in sports.

The event was graced by Parul Singh, President of the Delhi Paralympic Committee, who attended as the Chief Guest. Her presence underscored the growing emphasis on para-sports and inclusive participation in India’s sporting ecosystem.

The programme, conducted under the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, focused on encouraging greater participation of women and young students in sports.

Addressing the gathering, Parul Singh reiterated that increasing sports engagement among girls and school students remains a national priority. “It is the vision of the Prime Minister that more and more women, especially young girls, actively participate in sports. This will strengthen the country’s sporting culture and help India achieve greater success at national and international levels,” she said. 

The programme was initiated by Rahul Pawar and saw participation from key figures including Rahul Pawar, General Secretary of the Handball Association of Noida, Dr. DS Atri, former Ranji cricket player and sports manager associated with the school.

The ASMITA initiative is aimed at creating a structured platform for nurturing grassroots talent while fostering an inclusive sporting environment, particularly for women and differently-abled athletes.