The Asian Games 2026 have highlighted India's growing strength in various sports and athletes from different states are contributing significantly to the country's medal collection. The medal figures are as good as can be and across all states of India we are led by Haryana with 45 medals. Maharashtra follows with 22 medals and Punjab with 21 medals.
State-wise distribution provides an interesting picture of India's sporting landscape and shows how athletes from different regions have contributed to the country's performance at the continental sporting event. Medal-winning performances come from Haryana and Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and several northeastern states.
According to the figures provided, Haryana leads the state-wise list with 45 medals. The strong performance of the state once again underlines its position as one of India’s major sporting hubs. Haryana has produced athletes in a number of categories such as wrestling, boxing, shooting and other competitive events.
Maharashtra ranks second with 22 medals and is also one of the factors leading to India’s performance in Asian Games. Maharashtra has a big sports ecosystem and a large range of athletes who compete in a large variety of disciplines in national sports.
Punjab has managed to win 21 medals, ranking third in the state-wise list. Punjab’s culture has previously produced successful athletes in hockey, athletics, wrestling and other sports. The fact that Punjab has so many medals at the Asian Games only speaks to the state's role in Indian sport.
Tamil Nadu has 14 medals - fourth place on the list. The state's performance is particularly significant as Tamil Nadu has a strong sporting ecosystem with traditional as well as emerging sports players. The 14 medals indicate the talent coming from Tamil Nadu and the growing popularity of Tamil Nadu athletes at international competitions.
Uttar Pradesh has won 13 medals and Delhi and Madhya Pradesh have nine medals each. And that is evidence that India's sporting success is not limited to a few states. And athletes from different parts of the country are increasingly making their presence felt at big international events.
Kerala, Manipur and Karnataka each have 8 medals. Kerala has been known to produce athletes in athletics and other sports and Manipur to have produced athletes in boxing and weight lifting and other sports. Karnataka has been able to have a solid sports base in a number of sports and still has athletes capable of competing at the highest level.
The next group included Himachal Pradesh with seven medals, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with six medals each. Rajasthan has five medals, while Gujarat and Jharkhand have four medals each.
Several other states and Union Territories have also made significant contributions. West Bengal and Odisha have won three medals each, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Assam, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh have two medals.
The overall state-wise medal figures provide a more complete picture of India's performance at the Asian Games. While the national medal count is still the most important measure of success, considering the state-level contribution to the country’s sporting talent is a new thing for us to look at.
Haryana's 45 medals were well ahead of every other region in the list of medals. Maharashtra's 22 medals and Punjab's 21 medals are also significant contributions, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have crossed the 10-medal mark. All of these performances prove the importance of state-level sports development programmes, training infrastructure and grassroots participation.
States from different parts of the country are also significant. Southern states have contributed to the country as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Northern states such as Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have also participated.
The northeastern region has also made its presence felt through Manipur, Assam and Mizoram. Their medal contributions show the depth of the athletic talent that is available in India’s geographically diverse regions.
State-level medal counts can also illustrate the importance of sports academies, coaching systems and government support. Athletes start their career with district and state competitions and then go on to national camps and international events. A strong sporting system at the grassroots can therefore be very important in getting athletes to the Asian Games and other big competitions.
The Asian Games are important as they bring together the world’s best athletes from around the continent. To win a medal at the event takes years of training and preparation and, so, every medal in the state-wise figures is a testimony to the efforts of athletes, coaches, support staff, families and sports institutions.
For states like Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab the high medal count strengthens their profile as major sporting hubs. At the same time, the performance of smaller states and Union Territories show that sporting excellence can come from every part of India.
The figures also provide encouragement for young athletes who are looking to pursue sports professionally. Seeing athletes from their own states succeed at the Asian Games can inspire younger generations to take up competitive sports and aim for national and international representation.
Another major aspect of the state-wise medal tally is that of India’s talent diversity in sports. The medals are all in different disciplines so that India's success is not limited to a specific sport and rather it’s in a diversity of competitions.
As the Asian Games 2026 draw to a close, the state-wise medal numbers provide us an opportunity to recognize the contribution of athletes from all over India. Haryana has 45 medals among which Maharashtra 22 and Punjab 21 are among those having a place in the state-wise list. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur and Karnataka are also in the ranking.
Thus the medal distribution is a reflection of the vast sports collection of India and the rise of athletes from various states. Every medal is an individual achievement but the state-level tally represents India’s strength in sport as a whole.
Haryana and other states in the list are impressive and the Asian Games 2026 have only served as a reminder of the talent of the country. The performances could also serve to further encourage state governments, sporting bodies and academies to invest in young athletes and to create the path to international competitions.
State-Wise Asian Games 2026 Medal Tally
- Haryana 45
- Maharashtra 22
- Punjab 21
- Tamil Nadu 14
- Uttar Pradesh 13
- Delhi 9
- Madhya Pradesh 9
- Kerala 8
- Manipur 8
- Karnataka 8
- Himachal Pradesh 7
- Andhra Pradesh 6
- Telangana 6
- Rajasthan 5
- Gujarat 4
- Jharkhand 4
- West Bengal 3
- Odisha 3
- Chandigarh 2
- Uttarakhand 2
- Bihar 2
- Assam 2
- Mizoram 2
- Chhattisgarh 2
