Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, in a 6 March 2026 PIB release, formally announced the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 to be held in Chhattisgarh from March 25 to April 3, 2026, across three host cities — Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja. The event will bring together approximately 3,800 athletes from 30 States and Union Territories.

The inaugural KITG is a dedicated multi-sport event under the Khelo India programme exclusively for tribal athletes. It will feature both conventional Olympic sports and indigenous tribal sports such as Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatkha, and archery. The objective is to identify and nurture tribal sporting talent at the national level, promote indigenous sports, and provide a mainstream platform to tribal athletes who are often underrepresented in national competitions.

The Khelo India programme, launched in 2018, has expanded through Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, and Khelo India Winter Games. The tribal edition marks a significant step in India's sports inclusion agenda. Rajasthan, with its large Scheduled Tribe population including Meena, Bhil, Garasia, and Saharia communities, is expected to send a contingent to represent indigenous sporting traditions.