Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Ends : Maharashtra Tops Medal Tally

The 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) concluded on May 15, 2025, in Bihar, marking a significant milestone in India’s youth sports development. With over 8,500 athletes participating in 28 disciplines, including traditional Indian sports and even a demonstration esports event, the games were a vibrant showcase of young Indian talent.

Maharashtra Leads the Medal Tally

Maharashtra emerged as the overall champion for the third consecutive year, claiming 158 medals, including 58 gold, 47 silver, and 53 bronze. The state’s consistent focus on youth sports infrastructure and athlete development paid off yet again (Utkarsh).

Haryana followed closely with 117 medals (39 gold), while Rajasthan made headlines by securing third place with 60 medals, marking their best-ever KIYG finish.

Bihar’s Best Performance as Host State

The host state Bihar delivered a remarkable performance, finishing 15th overall with 36 medals—7 gold, 11 silver, and 18 bronze. This is Bihar’s highest medal haul across all editions of KIYG, a sharp rise from just 29 medals in the previous six editions combined. A standout moment came when Bihar’s girls’ rugby team crushed Odisha 22-0 to take home the gold, demonstrating the state’s growing sports prowess and grassroots development.

Rising Stars of KIYG 2025

• Ayushka Pandurang Gadekar from Maharashtra claimed gold in girls’ 57kg freestyle wrestling, continuing her family's sporting legacy. Her performance was a key factor in Maharashtra's title win (Times of India – Nagpur).

• Tanoo Chandra from Chhattisgarh dominated girls’ singles badminton, winning all her matches in straight sets—a clean sweep on her way to gold (Times of India – Raipur).

• Kadir Khan from Uttar Pradesh made headlines in track and field by setting a new national record in the 400m race, underlining the state's emerging talent pool (NewsOnAIR).

Closing Ceremony at Patliputra Sports Complex

The event wrapped up with a grand closing ceremony at Patna's Patliputra Sports Complex, attended by Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse and Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. The festive evening celebrated the achievements of young athletes and Bihar’s successful hosting of this massive sporting event (Utkarsh).

The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 didn’t just reaffirm the dominance of powerhouse states like Maharashtra and Haryana, but also highlighted the rapid rise of previously underperforming regions like Bihar and Rajasthan. The growing presence of girls' teams and regional talent signals a promising future for Indian sports.