Sports (2025-2026)
Subject: Current Affairs | Time Window: Jan 2025 — Mar 2026 Exam: AP Group 2 (APPSC)
Overview
Indian sports achievements in 2025, including cricket World Cups, chess dominance, and national awards.
Key Events
| # | Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 2025 | India wins Women's Cricket WC | First-ever title; beat SA by 52 runs, Navi Mumbai |
| 2 | Feb-Mar 2025 | ICC Champions Trophy | India wins 3rd title; beat NZ in Dubai; Rohit Sharma captain |
| 3 | Jan 2025 | Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup | New Delhi; 25 countries |
| 4 | Jan 2025 | National Sports Awards | Khel Ratna: Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, Praveen Kumar |
Cricket Highlights
Champions Trophy 2025
- Winner: India (3rd title — record, undefeated)
- Final: India vs New Zealand (Dubai)
- Captain: Rohit Sharma
Women's WC 2025
- Winner: India (maiden title)
- Final: India vs South Africa (Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai)
- Win margin: 52 runs
- Player of Tournament: Deepti Sharma
- Most runs: Smriti Mandhana (434 — broke Mithali Raj's record)
Chess — India's Golden Era
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| D Gukesh | Youngest undisputed world chess champion (18 years, 195 days) — Dec 2024 |
| FIDE ranking | World No. 3 (Mar 2025) |
| Chess Olympiad 2024 | India won double gold (men's + women's) — historic first |
| Tata Steel Masters 2025 | R Praggnanandhaa won |
National Sports Awards 2025
Khel Ratna
| Awardee | Sport |
|---|---|
| Manu Bhaker | Shooting (double Olympic medallist) |
| D Gukesh | Chess |
| Harmanpreet Singh | Hockey |
| Praveen Kumar | Para High Jump |
Upcoming 2026
| Event | Venue |
|---|---|
| T20 World Cup | India & Sri Lanka |
| Commonwealth Games | Glasgow, UK (Jul 23 — Aug 2) |
| Asian Games | Nagoya/Aichi, Japan (Sep 19 — Oct 4) |
Likely Exam Questions
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India won Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating: Ans: New Zealand (in Dubai)
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India's Women's WC 2025 victory margin: Ans: 52 runs vs South Africa
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D Gukesh became youngest world chess champion at: Ans: 18 years, 195 days
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Khel Ratna 2025 chess recipient: Ans: D Gukesh
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Most runs in Women's WC 2025: Ans: Smriti Mandhana (434 runs)
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Player of Tournament in Women's WC: Ans: Deepti Sharma
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Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup: Ans: New Delhi, January 2025
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India won Champions Trophy captained by: Ans: Rohit Sharma
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Asian Games 2026 venue: Ans: Nagoya/Aichi, Japan
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India won kabaddi gold at Asian Youth Games vs: Ans: Iran (Boys: 35-32, Girls: 75-21)