Handball in Jammu & Kashmir

Verified profileAchievements, tournaments, coaches and scholarships on this page are compiled from federation and government sources (Handball Association of India (haiindia.in), Wikipedia — Handball in India, Handball Association of India, India women's national handball team).

Overview

Governing body: HAI
Origin: 19th century Europe
Olympic discipline: Yes
Category: Team
Total players listed: …

Handball is one of India's most-followed disciplines. The HAI oversees national federation activity, talent identification and Olympic qualification pathways. Major support flows in through TOPS and Khelo India for athletes who clear federation benchmarks.

Handball is a recognised Olympic discipline, which shapes the entire high-performance pipeline in India. Athletes who break into the senior national camp become eligible for the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which funds international training stints, foreign coaches, sports science support, equipment and travel for ranking events. Below the senior tier, the Khelo India Youth Games, University Games and Winter Games act as the country's largest scouting net, feeding talent into the Khelo India Talent Development scheme where annual stipends, boarding and dedicated coaching are provided at SAI National Centres of Excellence and accredited academies. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports tracks every selected athlete's progress against published benchmarks, and underperformance can mean a drop from the scheme — the pathway is rigorous by design.

As a team sport, Handball in India is built around a club, district and state structure that culminates in national-level inter-state competition. State associations affiliated to the HAI run age-group leagues from under-14 upwards, with the strongest pools historically coming from states with established grassroots infrastructure. Franchise leagues — where they exist — sit on top of this pyramid and have transformed athlete earnings, broadcast visibility and the professionalisation of coaching and support staff. School and college tournaments under SGFI and AIU remain the primary discovery route for players who do not come through a private academy.

At the grassroots, the route into Handball typically starts at school under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), at the inter-university level under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), or through a private academy registered with the state association. The Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games are the largest single discovery platforms — athletes who reach the podium at these events become eligible for the Khelo India Talent Development scheme, which funds boarding, coaching, kit, education and a monthly stipend at accredited centres. State sports awards and central government jobs under the sports quota remain a powerful incentive for athletes from smaller towns.

Handball originated in 19th century Europe, and in India it has developed a distinct character shaped by the country's geography, demographics and sporting culture. Whether you want to compete, coach, sponsor, write about or simply follow Handball, the practical starting point is the same: connect with your state association under the HAI, identify the nearest SAI centre or accredited academy, and track the Khelo India and federation calendars for the events that decide selection at every level. Handball is played and developed across India under the HAI, with grassroots programmes, state associations and national-level competition pathways.

History

How handball evolved globally and took root in India.

Handball traces its modern origins to 19th century Europe. Codified rules, standard equipment and international competition took shape as the sport spread beyond its birthplace, and HAI is the body that carried it into organised Indian competition.

In India, handball grew through princely-state patronage, defence-service teams, universities and state associations. Post-independence, the discipline was formalised under HAI, national championships were instituted, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) later brought it into the centralised high-performance system with dedicated centres, coaching cadres and sports-science support.

Handball being on the Olympic programme reshaped its Indian pathway: Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) selection, Khelo India Talent Development stipends and international training stints became the norm for the country's leading athletes.

Scholarships & Funding

Central, state and private scholarships available for handball athletes in India.

Khelo India Talent Development Scheme (KISCE)
Monthly stipend (₹10,000 for Khelo India athletes), boarding, coaching and kit at accredited centres for identified handball talent (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports).
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Central government scheme covering training, foreign exposure, equipment and out-of-pocket allowance (up to ₹50,000/month) for medal-prospect handball athletes; administered by the Mission Olympic Cell.

Explore all government schemes →

Indian Players

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Rules

Two teams of 7 (including a goalkeeper) pass and dribble a ball, scoring by throwing it into the opponent's goal. Players cannot take more than 3 steps without dribbling. Matches run two 30-minute halves.

Authoritative rulebook: HAI. Age-group and school-level variations are published by SGFI and the state associations each season.

Positions

Key roles, events or positions inside a handball squad or competition.

Attackers / forwards
Primary scorers who operate closest to the opposition goal or scoring zone.
Midfielders / all-rounders
Link play between defence and attack; usually the highest work-rate positions.
Defenders
Deny the opposition space and possession in the defensive third.
Goalkeeper / last line
Specialist stopper with distinct kit and rules; the final line of defence.
Captain & vice-captain
On-field leadership, decision-making and communication with match officials.

Equipment

Standard kit and infrastructure required to train and compete in handball at a federation-recognised event.

Handball (smaller, grippier than a football)
Goal (2m x 3m)
Court (40m x 20m)
Indoor court shoes

Governing body

National federation

HAI

HAI is the recognised national body for Handball in India. It sets the domestic calendar, selection norms, coaching curriculum and anti-doping compliance, and is affiliated to the international federation for handball. State associations under HAI run age-group competition and feed the national talent pipeline.

Origin: 19th century Europe
Olympic: Yes
Category: Team

All federations →

Major Indian Events

Domestic championships, Khelo India events, National Games and franchise leagues that shape the handball calendar in India.

Senior National Handball Championship
India's primary domestic competition, first held in 1972 at Rohtak, Haryana. Organized continuously since by the Handball Association of India (HAI), which succeeded the Handball Federation of India as the officially recognized governing body in 2023.

International Events

Continental and world-level competitions where India competes in handball.

Asian Men's / Women's Handball Championship
India has competed in the men's championship since 1979 and the women's since 1993.
South Asian Games
India's women's team has won gold at both editions the sport has been contested (2016 and 2019), making them the most successful handball nation in South Asia.
Wheelchair Handball World Championship
India's national wheelchair team competed at the inaugural 2022 edition, finishing 4th.

Leagues

Franchise and professional leagues catalogued for handball. Full season data, champions and schedule filters are available in the sidebar.

Domestic · Since 2024
Premier Handball League
India's first franchise handball league, launched by the Handball Association of India and Bluesport Entertainment with six city-based teams.
Domestic · Since 1972
Senior National Handball Championship
HAI's flagship national-team championship contested annually by state and institutional sides.
International · Since 1977
Asian Men's Handball Championship
Continental championship of the Asian Handball Federation and the primary World Championship qualification pathway for India.
International · Since 1938
IHF World Men's Handball Championship
Top international handball competition, contested biennially by 32 national teams.

All leagues →

International Players

Globally recognised handball athletes to know outside India.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)
8-time Ballon d'Or; 2022 World Cup winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
5-time Ballon d'Or; Euro 2016 champion.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
2018 World Cup winner; multiple Ligue 1 top scorer.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Manchester City forward; Premier League Golden Boot.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper; Bayern Munich legend.

Records

Where to find India's official handball record book.

Olympic medalsTracked
Individual and team Olympic medals for India in handball are logged on the official IOC and IOA archives.
Asian Games medalsTracked
India's Asian Games results in handball are compiled by the Indian Olympic Association and the HAI.
Commonwealth medalsTracked
Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Championship medals in handball are maintained by the HAI.
World Championship medalsTracked
Senior, junior and youth World Championship medal records are held by the international federation for handball and mirrored by HAI.
National record holdersFederation register
HAI publishes the current senior, junior and sub-junior national records and updates them after every ratified event.

Career Options

Ways to build a career in handball — on the field, on the sidelines and behind the scenes.

Playing pathway through HAI's 43 state member associations and the Senior National Championship
India's women's programme — the strongest in South Asia — offers a particularly well-established route to international competition
Coaching certification through HAI and Asian Handball Federation courses
Wheelchair handball offers a parallel competitive pathway for para-athletes under HAI's oversight

Explore sports careers →Coaches directory →

Related academies

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Government Schemes

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Central and state schemes that fund training, stipends and awards for handball athletes and academies.

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FAQs

Common questions about handball in India.

Who governs Handball in India?▾

HAI is the recognised national federation for Handball in India. State associations under HAI run age-group and state-level competition and feed the national talent pipeline.

Is Handball an Olympic sport?▾

Yes, Handball is on the Olympic programme. Selection for India runs through HAI and the international federation's ranking events, and top athletes are typically funded through TOPS.

How do I start playing Handball in India?▾

Join a school team under SGFI, a college team under AIU, or a private academy affiliated to your state association. From there, age-group state championships and Khelo India events are the standard route into the national pipeline.

What government schemes support Handball athletes?▾

The core schemes are Khelo India (talent development stipends, scholarships and boarding at accredited centres), TOPS (funding for elite athletes preparing for the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games), and state-government cash awards, jobs and land grants for medallists. Federation-specific schemes may also apply.

Where can I train for Handball?▾

Sports Authority of India (SAI) national centres of excellence, Khelo India accredited academies, state sports institutes and private academies registered with the state association are the standard training venues. The Academies section on this page lists options.

How are Indian Handball athletes selected for international events?▾

HAI runs selection trials — typically the senior national championship, a dedicated trial event, or ranking-based selection — and publishes the selection policy each season. Objective criteria (times, distances, ranking points, weight-class results) dominate at the elite level.

Handball in every state & UT

Dedicated pages for Handball in each Indian state and Union Territory — academies, schemes, athletes and how to start.

Handball