Sports Cockpit · Solo, Track & Pool · Indian traditional sports · Khelo India
Mallakhamb, Yogasana, Gatka, Kalaripayattu & Thang-Ta
Education Margdarshan's guide to India's own competitive sports in simple words: what mallakhamb, yogasana, gatka, kalaripayattu and thang-ta are, how a yogasana routine is judged, where they are played — Khelo India Youth Games, school games and world championships — the cash awards, and the honest answer on which ones count for government sports-quota jobs.
01 Core rules & selection formats
Five Indian sports in simple words
What each sport is [1][2]
| Sport | What you do |
|---|---|
| Mallakhamb | Yoga and gymnastic moves on a wooden pole or a hanging rope |
| Yogasana | Yoga postures done as a sport — held poses (traditional) or routines to music (artistic, rhythmic), judged by a panel |
| Gatka | Sikh martial art with wooden sticks and shields |
| Kalaripayattu | Kerala's martial art of strikes, kicks, weapon forms and flexibility drills |
| Thang-Ta | Manipur's martial art of the sword (thang) and spear (ta) |
Yogasana events (government competition rules) [2]
| Event | What is judged |
|---|---|
| Traditional solo | 3 compulsory and 2 optional asanas from a set list; each compulsory pose held 30 s, each optional 15 s |
| Artistic solo | 8–10 postures of your choice to music in 2½–3 minutes; each held at least 5 s; slow, artistic transitions |
| Artistic pair | Two athletes do different postures at the same time, with pyramids; body touch allowed |
| Rhythmic pair | Two athletes do the same postures together in sync with music; no body touch |
- Judges give marks out of 10 for each asana, looking at execution, perfection of the pose, a calm face (no strain), stability, smooth movement and holding time.
- Stepping on or over the arena line costs 0.5 mark each time; a pose not held 5 s is not counted; no props in artistic and rhythmic events.
- The highest and lowest referees' totals are dropped and the rest averaged. [2]
02 Institutional & global recognition
Khelo India, school games and world championships
- All five are medal sports at the Khelo India Youth Games (2025, Bihar).
- Gatka (Under-19 boys and girls) was part of the 69th National School Games in Ludhiana, Punjab.
- None of the five is in the Olympic or Asian Games programme. [1][3][4][5]
Government cash award for a senior medal (₹ lakh) [6]
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Yogasana Championship (every 4 years) | 40 | 25 | 15 |
| World Mallakhamb Championship (every 4 years) | 40 | 25 | 15 |
| Asian Yogasana Championship (every 2 years) | 7.5 | 5 | 2.5 |
The coach of an individual medallist gets 50%. Apply on the DBT-MIS portal within six months of the event. Gatka, kalaripayattu and thang-ta are not on the Ministry's cash-award list. [6]
03 Physical benchmarks & anti-doping
Age groups, papers and anti-doping
- Khelo India Youth Games are for under-18 athletes; school games use age groups such as Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 (gatka was played as Under-19).
- Even yogasana competitions disqualify for doping, under-age or over-age — the medal then passes to the next athlete. [1][3][2]
- Under the anti-doping code you must be available for testing and check every medicine against the Prohibited List; apply to NADA for a TUE if you need a banned medicine. [7]
04 Grassroots-to-elite pipeline
From the akhara and yoga hall to the national stage
The full Mallakhamb, Yogasana & Indian martial arts roadmap has its own page
📍 See The Journey / Full RoadmapEvery stage from first club to the international level, the detailed route, the age-by-age ladder and what to eat from stage 1, with sources.
05 Training centres & cities
Where these sports are taught
- None of the five has a SAI National Centre of Excellence or SAI Training Centre listed in SAI's scheme brief; they are taught in akharas, kalaris, yoga centres, schools and through state associations. [8]
06 Equipment costs & who pays
Low kit cost — and who pays
- Kit is simple: a mallakhamb pole or rope at the centre, a yoga mat, and for the martial arts sticks, shields or practice weapons. Yogasana competitions forbid props in artistic and rhythmic events. Education Margdarshan does not print shop prices — no governing body publishes them. [2]
Who pays [9]
| Stage | Paid by | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Khelo India athlete | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | ₹6.28 lakh a year incl. ₹1.20 lakh cash |
| Athlete in hardship | PDU National Welfare Fund | Up to ₹2.50 lakh |
07 Earning channels & central job quotas
Which of these count for government jobs
Sports-quota status [10][13]
| Sport | Central Group C quota (DoPT) | CRPF 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Mallakhamb | Yes | No posts |
| Yogasana | Yes | Yogasana posts |
| Gatka | No | No posts |
| Kalaripayattu | No | No posts |
| Thang-Ta | No | No posts |
- Since March 2024, Khelo India Games medals also qualify for central sports-quota jobs — but only in sports on the DoPT list. [11]
08 Disqualification traps
Mistakes that cost athletes
- Yogasana: stepping out of the arena (−0.5 each time), not holding a pose 5 s, or doing the same posture as your partner in artistic pair (disqualification). [2]
- Expecting a job from a sport not on the quota list — gatka, kalaripayattu and thang-ta medals do not count for central Group C sports-quota jobs. [10]
09 Real-world player doubts
Careers, jobs and certificates — straight answers
Can yogasana or mallakhamb get me a government job?
Yes, both are on the DoPT list of 65 sports for central Group C sports-quota posts, and Khelo India medals count. CRPF's 2026 sports quota also had yogasana posts. Gatka, kalaripayattu and thang-ta are not on that list yet. [10][11][13]
Sports-quota job routes open in 2026 — age, qualifying results, pay [12][13]
| Route | Age | Main qualifying results | Pay level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railways Level 5/4 (graduates) | 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027 | Played the Olympics, or top 3 at a World Cup, World Championship, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games or Youth Olympics | Level 5/4 |
| Railways Level 3/2 (12th, or 10th + apprenticeship) | 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027 | Top 3 at Senior, Youth or Junior Nationals, National Games or All India Inter-University; or Federation Cup gold | Level 3/2 |
| Railways Level 1 | 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027 | Played for your state and finished at least 8th at Senior Nationals; or top 3 at the Federation Cup | Level 1 |
| CRPF Head Constable (GD) (10+2) | 18–23 on 1 Aug 2026; sportspersons get +5 years (OBC +8, SC/ST +10) | Played for India; or top 3 for your state at Nationals or National Games; or gold/silver at Junior Nationals | Level 4 · ₹25,500–81,100 |
| CRPF Constable (GD) (10th pass) | 18–23 on 1 Aug 2026; sportspersons get +5 years (OBC +8, SC/ST +10) | Played for your state at Senior or Junior Nationals; or top 3 at SGFI school nationals or Khelo India Games | Level 3 · ₹21,700–69,100 |
Railways count results from 1 April 2024; CRPF counts the two years before 30 September 2026. Railways fee ₹500 (₹400 back if you attend the trial; ₹250, refunded in full on attending, for SC/ST, women, PwBD, minorities, ex-servicemen and EBC). CRPF fee ₹100 for UR/OBC/EWS men; free for women, SC, ST and ex-servicemen. CRPF picks sign a ₹1 lakh bond to serve at least 3 years. [12][13]
Are these sports going to the Olympics?
Not for LA28, and not at the 2026 Asian Games. Their big stages today are the Khelo India Youth Games, school games and their own world championships — the Ministry pays cash awards for World Mallakhamb and World and Asian Yogasana Championship medals. [4][5][1][6]
Does any 'national' certificate count for a job?
No. Railways will not recruit on a certificate from a federation MoYAS did not recognise at the time of the championship, and CRPF counts only championships of MoYAS-recognised federations or the IOA's National Games. [12][13]
10 Official sources & verification
Where these facts come from
Every fact on this Education Margdarshan page is taken from the governing body's own rule book or a Government of India file below, read on 17 October 2026. Federations change rules, weight classes and scheme amounts — open the current file before you act on it.
- Khelo India Youth Games 2025 (Bihar) — official site (opens in a new tab) Gatka, kalaripayattu, mallakhamb, thang-ta and yogasana among the 27 KIYG sports; schedule · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- DoPT / Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board — Inter-Ministry Yogasana Competition 2024-25: circular, rules and marking system (26 July 2024) (opens in a new tab) Traditional, artistic solo/pair and rhythmic pair events, holding times, marks out of 10, deductions, positions, doping/age disqualification · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- All India Radio News — 69th National School Games begin in Punjab (opens in a new tab) Gatka Under-19 boys and girls at the National School Games, Ludhiana · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- LA28 — 2028 Olympic Games Plan (sports list) (opens in a new tab) LA28 sports list · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games — Sports (opens in a new tab) 2026 Asian Games sports list · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- MYAS — Scheme of Cash Incentive to Medal Winners (amended 1 Feb 2025) (opens in a new tab) World Yogasana (quadrennial) and Asian Yogasana (biennial), World Mallakhamb (quadrennial) championships · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- NADA India — Athlete's Rights & Responsibilities (opens in a new tab) Testing availability, Prohibited List, TUE · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- SAI — Brief on Sports Promotional Schemes 2024-25 (opens in a new tab) NCOE and STC sport lists · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- PIB — Financial Support to Athletes (5 Aug 2024) (opens in a new tab) Khelo India, welfare fund · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- DoPT — Instructions on Recruitment/Promotion for Sportspersons (18 Nov 2022) (opens in a new tab) Mallakhamb and yogasana in the 65-sport list; gatka, kalaripayattu, thang-ta not listed · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- DoPT Office Memorandum, 4 March 2024 — Incentive for Sportspersons (opens in a new tab) Khelo India Games medallists added · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- Western Railway RRC — Employment Notice RRC/WR/01/2026 (Sports Quota), 27 Aug 2026 (opens in a new tab) Age 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027, level norms, MoYAS-recognition rule, fees · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- CRPF — Recruitment of Meritorious Sportspersons, HC & Constable (GD), Sports Quota 2026 (Advt. R.II-21/2026-Sports, 17 Sep 2026) (opens in a new tab) Yogasana posts; age and relaxation, qualifications, fee, bond · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- SAI NSNIS Patiala — Diploma in Sports Coaching (course page, 2026-27) (opens in a new tab) 1 year, ₹63,800, 785 + 104 seats in 26 disciplines at Patiala, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram; Category A (Class 12 + international record), B (graduation + national record) · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
- SAI NSNIS Patiala — Six Week Certificate Course in Sports Coaching (opens in a new tab) 6 weeks (4 online, 2 offline), ₹14,800, Class 12 + district-level top 3 or state / inter-university / SGFI / national participation · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
- Khelo India Youth Games 2026 (Telangana) — Sports (opens in a new tab) The 25 disciplines listed for KIYG 2026 · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
- ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition — Dietary Guidelines for Indians (booklet), Guideline 8 (opens in a new tab) Cereal-pulse 3:1 protein quality, vegetarian and non-vegetarian protein sources; most athletes meet protein needs from food, protein powders unnecessary · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
- NADA India — Managing the Risk of Nutritional Supplements (opens in a new tab) Supplement risk, strict liability, food-first approach · Last checked 15 Oct 2026
Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and Education Margdarshan will update it.
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