The 41st National Junior Athletics Championships 2026 is India's premier annual domestic track and field competition for young athletes, scheduled to take place from 23 October to 27 October 2026. Organized by the
Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association, this flagship grassroots event will be hosted at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Event Scope & StructureThe championships serve as a critical scouting platform for future Olympians, bringing together the finest young talent from across all Indian states and union territories. The competition is structured across four primary junior divisions for both boys and girls:
- Under-14: Features specialized categories like Triathlon (A, B, and C) alongside the mandatory kids' javelin throw to encourage comprehensive athletic foundation.
- Under-16: Introduces fundamental track and field variations including multi-event formats like the Pentathlon.
- Under-18 & Under-20: Showcases full Olympic disciplines (sprints, hurdles, jumps, and throws) operating under strict national qualifying standards.
Competition Rules & Registration
- Entry Management: Registrations are strictly managed by affiliated state units. The official portal closed for entries on Friday, 9 October 2026.
- Defending Champions: The host state, Tamil Nadu, enters the meet as the overall defending champion, having narrowly clinched the 40th edition title in Bhubaneswar over Haryana.
- Pathways: Standout performers at this championship are regularly selected for elite national training camps and evaluated for international junior representations
