Bharatiya Khel

Bharatiya Khel (Hindi: भारतीय खेल, transl. Indian Games) is an initiative of the Indian government under the National Education Policy (NEP) and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) policies to introduce 75 traditional Indian games into schools across the country. Interschool competitions will be held,[1] with one seasonal game selected each month, and the best-performing schools and teachers will earn certificates of recognition.[2]

Part of the reason behind the initiative is to make sport more affordable and equitable for children across India (especially those who are poor and/or rural), as traditional Indian games require minimal resources and infrastructure. These games are also meant to encourage teamwork and creativity,[3] as the 2020 NEP has dictated that "multi-faceted growth" and "fun-filled learning" should be given priority,[4] and give children a more traditional Indian education.[5][6]

A variety of games from across India have been chosen for this initiative, most of which have been played with slight variations across the country for thousands of years, and some of which have even featured in ancient scriptures such as the Mahabharata.[5][2][7] Along with physical sports, some traditional board games have also been included.[3]