AI SummaryKhel Mahakumbh is a mass sports competition organised by the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) under the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat. Launched in 2010, the scheme gives people of all age groups across the state a chance to take part in structured competitions, win cash prizes from a total pool of ₹45 crore, and get access to professional coaching pathways.
This scheme has become a regular part of Gujarat's sports calendar. The 2025-26 edition ran from December 2025 to March 2026 and crossed more than 6.5 lakh registrations, including around 2.71 lakh women and 26,000 teams. Registration for the 2026-27 edition is expected to open in the coming weeks on the official portal, with exact dates announced by SAG.
Khel Mahakumbh - Introduction
Khel Mahakumbh was launched in 2010 by the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat, to build a strong sports culture in the state. The scheme helps find and develop sporting talent from every district, taluka and village by keeping all services free, offering a clear competition structure, and rewarding winners with cash prizes. Participation has grown steadily over the years, and top performers move into advanced training programs run by the Sports Authority of Gujarat.
The 2025-26 edition featured competitions in 39 sports across age groups such as Under-9, Under-11, Under-14, Under-17, Open, 40+ years, 60+ years and Para-Athletes. Taluka, district and state level rounds were held between January and March 2026, with the state finals in two phases.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Khel Mahakumbh |
| Launched By | Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat |
| Launched In | 2010 |
| State | Gujarat |
| Category | Sports and Culture |
| Eligible People | Sportspersons and individuals of all age groups in Gujarat |
| Benefit | Cash prizes from ₹45 crore prize pool and coaching support |
| Application Mode | Online, through school, college or District Sports Training Center |
| Helpline | 1800 274 6151 |
| Official Website | khelmahakumbh.gujarat.gov.in |
Benefits
Winners of Khel Mahakumbh receive cash prizes from a total pool of ₹45 crore. Beyond the money, top performers get a clear pathway to professional coaching through programs like Khele Gujarat Summer Coaching Camp, District Level Sports School (DLSS) and Centre of Excellence (COE).
The scheme finds young talent through mass participation events, and registration for every participant is free. This helps school athletes from small towns and villages get noticed at the state level without spending money.
Eligibility
Eligibility for Khel Mahakumbh is wide open for anyone connected with Gujarat. You need to meet the following conditions:
- You must be a native of Gujarat or have been studying, residing, working or doing business in Gujarat for at least the last 2 years.
- Students should take part from the taluka or district where their school or college is located, and register through that institution.
- Government employees transferred from another state can take part if they have been posted in the current district for at least 6 months before the registration date.
Note: You can register for a maximum of 2 sports in one edition.
Age groups are worked out from the cut-off date announced for each edition. For the previous editions, the cut-off was 31st December of the competition year, so check the age group list on the official portal before applying.
Application Process
The online registration process for Khel Mahakumbh is simple, and the whole process is free. Students register through their school or college, while non-students register through the local District Sports Training Center. Here are the main steps for online registration:
STEP 1 - Visit the official portal of Khel Mahakumbh by typing khelmahakumbh.gujarat.gov.in in the browser address bar. The portal is run by the Sports Authority of Gujarat.
STEP 2 - Click on the KMK Login / Register tab on the homepage and create a new account using your mobile number and basic details.
STEP 3 - Fill in the individual registration form with details like name, date of birth, age group, sport, weight, height, district and guardian details.
STEP 4 - Choose the category as student or non-student, select one or two sports, and submit the form. You will get a registration number for future reference.
STEP 5 - Appear for competitions at your school or village level first, then move up through taluka, district and state level rounds based on your performance.
For detailed help with the form, download the official Khel Mahakumbh Registration Manual PDF from the portal. For any support, contact the Director General, Sports Authority of Gujarat, at Block No 14, 3rd Floor, Dr. Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Sector-10, Gandhinagar, or call the toll-free number 1800 274 6151 (10:30 AM to 6:10 PM).
For detailed registration and login steps, you can also read the Khel Mahakumbh Gujarat 2026 Online Registration Form guide on this website.
Documents
Keep these documents ready before you start the application, because the registration form asks for these details:
- Domicile Certificate or proof of residence in Gujarat for the last 2 years.
- Aadhaar Card for identity and age proof.
- Bonafide Certificate issued by the school or college, for students.
- Bank Passbook details for receiving the cash prize if you win.
- Transfer Certificate or official proof of posting, for transferred government employees.
- School Code and Principal's Authorisation for school team events.
References
Gujarat Mari Yojana Portal - Scheme No. 290 (Khel Mahakumbh Guidelines)
Sports Authority of Gujarat Official Website
Khel Mahakumbh Registration Manual PDF
Gujarat Mari Yojana Portal - Check Schemes, Login and Registration
FAQ's
What is the main aim of Khel Mahakumbh?
The scheme builds a strong sports culture in Gujarat by encouraging mass participation, finding new talent from every district, and giving cash prizes and coaching support to winners.
Who can take part in Khel Mahakumbh?
Anyone who is a native of Gujarat or has studied, lived or worked in the state for at least the last 2 years can take part. Government employees posted to a district for 6 months or more are also eligible.
How is my age group decided?
Age groups follow the cut-off date announced for each edition, normally 31st December of the competition year. The 2025-26 edition had groups like Under-9, Under-11, Under-14, Under-17, Open, 40+ years, 60+ years and Para-Athletes.
What do winners get?
Winners get cash prizes from a total pool of ₹45 crore, plus a chance to join advanced coaching programs like District Level Sports School (DLSS) and Centre of Excellence (COE).
Is registration free?
Yes, registration for Khel Mahakumbh is completely free. There is no fee for students or non-students.
Do students register through schools?
Yes. Students must register through their school or college, and for Under-9 to Under-17 events, registration through school is required.
How many sports can I register for?
You can register for a maximum of 2 sports in one edition. For the second sport, registration must be linked with the first registration ID.
When does the next edition happen?
The 2025-26 edition ran from December 2025 to March 2026. Registration dates for the next edition are announced on the official portal, usually around August to September.
Where do non-students register?
Non-students register through the District Sports Training Center of their district, and individual registration is done online on the official portal.
How do competitions progress?
Competitions start at school or village level, then move to taluka, district and state level rounds. State finals are held in two phases.