The Sports Authority of India (SAI), in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Sports Council and the Government of Rajasthan, unveiled the Logo, Mascot, Torch, and Jersey for the 5th Edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG 2025) at the historic Amer Fort in Jaipur on November 14, 2025. The mascots — named 'Khamma' and 'Ghani' — are inspired by the camel, the state animal of Rajasthan, and the traditional Rajasthani greeting 'Khamma Ghani'. KIUG 2025 is scheduled from November 24 to December 5, 2025, across seven host cities: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur. A total of 4,448 athletes from 222 universities will compete in 23 medal sports including new additions like Beach Volleyball, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Cycling. Rajasthan is hosting a national-level university sports event of this magnitude for the first time. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya termed KIUG a 'stepping stone to glory' for India's youth athletes. The event underscores Rajasthan's growing profile as a sports tourism destination.
Khelo India University Games 2025 Logo, Mascot and Jersey Unveiled at Amer Fort, Jaipur
The Sports Authority of India (SAI), in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Sports Council and the Government of Rajasthan, unveiled the Logo, Mascot, Torch, and Jersey for the 5th Edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG 2025) at the historic Amer Fort in Jaipur on November 14, 2025. The mascots — named 'Khamma' and 'Ghani' — are inspired by the camel, the state animal of Rajasthan, and the traditional Rajasthani greeting 'Khamma Ghani'. KIUG 2025 is scheduled from November 24 to December 5, 2025, across seven host cities: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur. A total of 4,448 athletes from 222 universities will compete in 23 medal sports including new additions like Beach Volleyball, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Cycling. Rajasthan is hosting a national-level university sports event of this magnitude for the first time. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya termed KIUG a 'stepping stone to glory' for India's youth athletes. The event underscores Rajasthan's growing profile as a sports tourism destination.
Key facts
- KIUG 2025 logo, mascot 'Khamma-Ghani', and jersey were unveiled at Amer Fort, Jaipur.
- The games are scheduled from November 24 to December 5 across seven Rajasthan cities.
- Over 7,500 athletes from approximately 200 universities will compete in 24 sports disciplines.
- New disciplines include beach volleyball, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling.
- Rajasthan is hosting a national university sports event of this magnitude for the first time.
- The mascots are inspired by the camel, Rajasthan's state animal.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of hosting the 5th Khelo India University Games 2025 in Rajasthan, and analyze its contribution to promoting youth sports and the state's sports tourism profile.
Answer (50 words):
The 5th Khelo India University Games 2025 logo, camel-inspired mascots 'Khamma' and 'Ghani', torch and jersey were unveiled at Amer Fort, Jaipur on November 14, 2025. KIUG 2025 runs November 24-December 5 across seven Rajasthan cities—Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Bharatpur—with over 7,500 athletes from 200 universities in 24 disciplines.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) and which edition was held in Rajasthan in 2025?
The Khelo India University Games (KIUG) is a national-level multisport event launched under the Government of India's Khelo India programme to promote sports among university students across India. The 5th edition (KIUG 2025) was hosted by Rajasthan from November 24 to December 5, 2025 — the first time Rajasthan hosted a national university sports event of this scale.
What are the names of the KIUG 2025 mascots and what do they represent?
The KIUG 2025 mascots are named 'Khamma' and 'Ghani', inspired by the camel — Rajasthan's state animal — and the traditional Rajasthani greeting 'Khamma Ghani'. The camel holds deep cultural significance in Rajasthan as a symbol of resilience and endurance in the desert landscape.
Where was the KIUG 2025 logo and mascot unveiled, and what is the significance of that venue?
The KIUG 2025 logo, mascots, torch, and jersey were unveiled at the historic Amer Fort in Jaipur on November 14, 2025. Amer Fort, a 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, was chosen to symbolically connect Rajasthan's rich heritage with the vibrancy of youth sports, and the event coincided with Children's Day.
How many athletes and universities participated in KIUG 2025, and which sports were featured?
KIUG 2025 saw participation from over 7,500 athletes representing approximately 200 universities across India, competing in 24 sports disciplines. New additions to the event included beach volleyball, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling. The games were spread across seven host cities: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur.
What is the broader significance of the Khelo India programme for India's sports ecosystem?
The Khelo India programme was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to revive grassroots sports culture, identify talent at the school and university level, and build a pipeline for elite athletes. By hosting events like KIUG across different states, it also encourages states to develop sports infrastructure and promotes regional sporting talent on a national platform.
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