India’s Historic Performance at the World Para-Athletics Championships 2025

 

India’s Historic Performance at the World Para-Athletics Championships 2025

Context

• Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated the Indian para-athlete contingent for their record-breaking performance at the World Para-Athletics Championships 2025, held in New Delhi.

• India secured a record tally of 22 medals, marking its best-ever performance at the Championships.

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 Key Highlights

• Event: World Para-Athletics Championships 2025

• Venue: New Delhi, India

• Medal Tally: 22 medals (India’s highest-ever total at the event)

• Significance: This is India’s most successful outing in the history of the Championships.

• Vice-President’s Remarks:

  • Lauded the para-athletes’ resilience, spirit, and determination.

  • Called the achievement a “proud milestone” for the nation.

  • Highlighted the performance as a foundation for the growth of para-sports in India.

  • Emphasized its role in promoting inclusivity and excellence in sports.

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🇮🇳 India’s Growing Para-Sports Movement

Background

• India’s para-sports performance has steadily improved over the years:

  • Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: India won 19 medals (5 Gold, 8 Silver, 6 Bronze) — its best-ever Paralympic performance.

  • Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2023: India achieved a record 111 medals.

• Hosting the World Para-Athletics Championships in New Delhi reflects India’s rising global stature in sports organization and inclusivity.

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 About the Vice-President’s Role

• The Vice-President of India is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

• Beyond legislative duties, the Vice-President often plays a symbolic role in encouraging national integration, sports, culture, and education.

• His message underscores the government’s support for para-athletes and the broader diversity and inclusion agenda in sports.

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 About Para-Athletics

• Para-athletics is an umbrella term for track and field events for athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments.

• Organized by the World Para Athletics, a division of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

• Events include:

  • Track races (sprints, middle, long-distance)

  • Field events (javelin, shot put, discus, long jump)

  • Combined events and relays

• Athletes compete in different classification categories based on type and extent of disability (e.g., T42, F46).

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 Significance of India Hosting the Event

• First time India hosted the World Para-Athletics Championships.

• Boosts sports tourism and global recognition for India.

• Encourages infrastructure development with better accessibility.

• Promotes the “Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)”.

• Enhances India’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

 Government Initiatives for Para-Athletes

1. Khelo India Scheme – inclusion of para-sports disciplines.

2. Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) – financial support for elite para-athletes.

3. Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) – apex body for organizing and promoting para-sports.

4. National Sports Policy (Draft 2023) – emphasizes inclusion, infrastructure, and training for differently-abled athletes.

5. Sports Authority of India (SAI) – dedicated facilities for para-sports training.

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Relevance for UPSC

Prelims:

• Facts related to World Para-Athletics Championships

• Role of Vice-President of India

• Government schemes supporting para-sports

• Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)

Mains (GS Paper II & III):

• GS II: Welfare of vulnerable sections of society; Government policies for inclusion.

• GS III: Sports infrastructure, human resource development, and government initiatives for promoting sports in India.

Possible Mains Question:

“Discuss the significance of India’s growing achievements in para-sports in promoting inclusivity and national pride.”

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Conclusion

India’s outstanding performance at the World Para-Athletics Championships 2025 symbolizes not just sporting excellence but also social progress. It reflects India’s evolving attitude toward inclusivity, accessibility, and equal opportunity. The Vice-President’s message serves as a reminder that true development lies in empowering every section of society to achieve excellence.