Kho Kho is a tag sport that began in India. In January 2025 India hosted its first World Cup and won both titles. This article covers the rules, the history and the finals.
At a glance
Four key facts on this topic
Contents
What is Kho Kho?
What Kho Kho Is
1.1 What is Kho Kho?
Kho Kho is a traditional Indian tag sport. Two teams take turns chasing and dodging, much like playground tag.
Many believe the game grew from the Mahabharata’s Chakravyuha story. An old chariot-based version was called Rathera.
1.2 How many players take part?
Each team has 12 players. Only 9 are active on the field at a time.
Think it through: Why do two numbers matter?
Twelve is the squad size. Nine is how many play at once.
How did it modernise?
How It Became Modern
2.1 Who gave the game its modern form?
The Deccan Gymkhana of Pune shaped the modern game. It was founded by Lokmanya Tilak.
The club structured the old game and changed some rules. The first modern competitions date to 1914.
2.2 What came after 1914?
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1914 | First modern competitions |
| 1955 | Federation set up as Akhil Bhartiya Kho Kho Mandal |
| 1959-60 | First national championship, at Vijayawada |
| 1982 | Federation joins the Indian Olympic Association; first international match, in Kolkata |
Dates as given in The Bridge history of Kho Kho.
Think it through: Which two years do students swap?
1955 is when the federation began. 1982 is when it joined the Indian Olympic Association.
Rules and Scoring
3.1 How is a match played?
A match usually has two innings. Each inning has two turns of nine minutes.
At the World Cup each turn lasts 7 minutes. In each turn one team chases and the other defends.
Think it through: Why do the turn lengths differ?
The World Cup used shorter turns, so the pace is faster than in a usual match.
What happened in 2025?
The First World Cup, 2025
4.1 When and where was it held?
The first Kho Kho World Cup opened on 13 January 2025. The venue was the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
Teams from 20 countries took part. Prateek Waikar captained the Indian men. Priyanka Ingle captained the Indian women.
4.2 Who won the finals?
| Team | Result |
|---|---|
| India men | Beat Nepal 54-36 |
| India women | Beat Nepal 78-40 |
Both finals were played at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
The women’s win made India the inaugural champions in the women’s category.
Think it through: Which score belongs to which team?
The women scored 78. The men scored 54.
What do exams ask?
Exam Traps
5.1 Which facts do students mix up?
- Men beat Nepal 54-36. Women beat Nepal 78-40.
- Squad of 12, but 9 on the field.
- Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, 1914.
- National championship 1959-60. Olympic Association 1982.
5.2 How did UPSC test it?
UPSC CSP 2025, GS Paper I, Q99
Consider the following statements in respect of the first Kho Kho World Cup: 1. The event was held in Delhi, India. 2. Indian men beat Nepal with a score of 78-40 in the final to become the World Champion in men category. 3. Indian women beat Nepal with a score of 54-36 in the final to become the World Champion in women category. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) I only
- (b) II and III only
- (c) I and III only
- (d) I, II and III
Answer: (a) I only
Only Statement 1 is correct. The event was held in New Delhi. The scores in statements 2 and 3 are swapped.
Remember this
- Team: 12 players, 9 on the field.
- Modern game: Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, 1914.
- Federation: 1955; national championship 1959-60; Olympic Association 1982.
- World Cup 2025: Delhi; men 54-36, women 78-40 over Nepal.
Explain it back: Which final did the men win, and by what score?
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