Rugby in Sikkim

Verified profileAchievements, tournaments, coaches and scholarships on this page are compiled from federation and government sources (Rugby India (rugbyindia.in), World Rugby / Asia Rugby, Wikipedia — India national rugby union team).

Overview

Governing body: Rugby India
Origin: 19th century England
Olympic discipline: Yes
Category: Team
Total players listed: …

Rugby is one of India's most-followed disciplines. The Rugby India 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.

Rugby 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, Rugby in India is built around a club, district and state structure that culminates in national-level inter-state competition. State associations affiliated to the Rugby India 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 Rugby 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.

Rugby originated in 19th century England, 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 Rugby, the practical starting point is the same: connect with your state association under the Rugby India, 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. Rugby is played and developed across India under the Rugby India, with grassroots programmes, state associations and national-level competition pathways.

History

How rugby evolved globally and took root in India.

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

In India, rugby grew through princely-state patronage, defence-service teams, universities and state associations. Post-independence, the discipline was formalised under Rugby India, 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.

Rugby 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.

Indian Players

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Rules

Two teams of 15 (Rugby Union) or 13 (Rugby League) carry, pass (backwards only), and kick an oval ball, scoring by grounding it in the opponent's in-goal area (a try, 5 points) or kicking it through the posts. Matches run two 40-minute halves.

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

Positions

Key roles, events or positions inside a rugby 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 rugby at a federation-recognised event.

Oval rugby ball
Posts with crossbar
Mouthguard
Studded boots
Scrum caps (optional)

Governing body

National federation

Rugby India

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

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

All federations →

Major Indian Events

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

Rugby Premier League (RPL)
India's professional rugby sevens league, launched 2025 with 6 city-based franchises competing in a dual-gender format — the fourth major Indian team sport (after cricket's WPL, football's IWL, and others) to adopt this structure. Backed by Rugby India.
Rugby India domestic 15s and sevens competitions
National-level domestic tournaments organized by Rugby India (formerly the Indian Rugby Football Union) feeding the men's and women's national team pathway.

International Events

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

Asia Rugby Championship
India competes through Asia Rugby's tiered division system (Division 1/2/3, promotion and relegation) — India men's team is currently ranked 86th in World Rugby rankings (Aug 2025) and has not yet reached Division 1.
Rugby Sevens at the Olympics
Olympic sport since Rio 2016. Rugby India has stated a long-term goal of Olympic qualification by 2036.
Commonwealth Games / Asian Games
India's men's and women's sevens teams have both qualified for these multi-sport Games.

Leagues

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

Domestic · Since 2025
Rugby Premier League
India's first franchise Rugby 7s league, launched by Rugby India and GMR Sports with global stars alongside Indian internationals.
International · Since 2008
Asia Rugby Championship
Top-tier Asian XVs championship; India competes in the Asia Rugby Division series.
International · Since 2009
Asia Rugby Sevens Series
Annual continental Sevens series; the qualifying pathway to the World Rugby Sevens Series and the Asian Games.
Domestic · Since 1998
Senior National Rugby Championship
Rugby India's flagship national championship for state sides across XVs and Sevens formats.

All leagues →

International Players

Globally recognised rugby 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 rugby record book.

Olympic medalsTracked
Individual and team Olympic medals for India in rugby are logged on the official IOC and IOA archives.
Asian Games medalsTracked
India's Asian Games results in rugby are compiled by the Indian Olympic Association and the Rugby India.
Commonwealth medalsTracked
Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Championship medals in rugby are maintained by the Rugby India.
World Championship medalsTracked
Senior, junior and youth World Championship medal records are held by the international federation for rugby and mirrored by Rugby India.
National record holdersFederation register
Rugby India 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 rugby — on the field, on the sidelines and behind the scenes.

Playing pathway through Rugby India's national sevens and 15s programmes
Khelo India grassroots talent identification — notably reaching rural and economically disadvantaged communities in states like Odisha and West Bengal, a distinctive part of rugby's growth story in India
Rugby Premier League as a new professional platform for both men and women
Coaching certification through Rugby India and World Rugby coaching courses
Corporate partnership roles — e.g. Capgemini has sponsored the national sevens programme since 2022 — supporting athlete development and sports management careers

Explore sports careers →Coaches directory →

Related academies

2 listed

Kalinga Institute of SportsElite
Bhubaneswar, Odisha · Since 2010
Multi-sport elite complex hosting international hockey, athletics and football.
Bihar State Sports AcademyState
Rajgir, Bihar · Since 2022
Bihar's new multi-sport residential complex at the Rajgir Sports University.

All academies →List your academy →

Government Schemes

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

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FAQs

Common questions about rugby in India.

Who governs Rugby in India?▾

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

Is Rugby an Olympic sport?▾

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

How do I start playing Rugby 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 Rugby 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 Rugby?▾

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 Rugby athletes selected for international events?▾

Rugby India 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.

Rugby in every state & UT

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

Rugby