Indian hockey
India's national sport by tradition: eight Olympic golds for the men, and a women's team rising since the 1980s.
What the paper can ask
- Women's team: Asia Cup champions 2004 and 2017; Commonwealth Games gold 2002; fourth at the 1980 and 2020 Olympics.
- Hockey India (formed 20 May 2009) governs the game; the Indian Hockey Federation ran it from 1925 to 2008.
- Captain Salima Tete; Savita Punia has the most caps (326). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Men's team: eight Olympic golds from 1928 to 1980.
Latest
At Aichi-Nagoya 2026 the women beat China 1-0 (Lalremsiami, 10th minute; Savita Punia saved a penalty stroke), ending a 44-year wait since the 1982 Delhi gold; the men beat Malaysia 5-1; both golds carry direct Los Angeles 2028 berths.
Why exams ask
The year of the last gold, the scorer, the opponent and the Olympic berth are the questions after every big final.
The full story
Field hockey is India's most decorated Olympic sport: the men's team won eight golds between 1928 and 1980 in the era of Dhyan Chand and bronze at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The women's team won Commonwealth Games gold in 2002, the Asia Cup in 2004 and 2017, and finished fourth at the 1980 and 2020 Olympics. Hockey India, formed in 2009, governs the game; the Indian Hockey Federation ran it from 1925 until it was dismissed in 2008.
In the news
Test yourself
1.The Beighton Cup, one of the oldest hockey tournaments in the world, is held in:
Correct. The Beighton Cup has been played in Calcutta (Kolkata) since 1895, making it among the oldest field hockey tournaments anywhere.
Not quite. The Beighton Cup has been played in Calcutta (Kolkata) since 1895, making it among the oldest field hockey tournaments anywhere. It goes into your error book.
2.India won the men's Hockey World Cup only once, in 1975, at:
Correct. Under Ajit Pal Singh, India beat Pakistan 2-1 in the 1975 final at Kuala Lumpur; the first World Cup had been held at Barcelona in 1971.
Not quite. Under Ajit Pal Singh, India beat Pakistan 2-1 in the 1975 final at Kuala Lumpur; the first World Cup had been held at Barcelona in 1971. It goes into your error book.
3.India won its first Olympic gold medal in hockey at the 1928 Games held in:
Correct. India's hockey team under Jaipal Singh Munda won gold at Amsterdam 1928 without conceding a goal, the first of eight hockey golds.
Not quite. India's hockey team under Jaipal Singh Munda won gold at Amsterdam 1928 without conceding a goal, the first of eight hockey golds. It goes into your error book.