Indian sport has entered a new phase of hard accountability and sharper prioritization with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) finalizing a major overhaul of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and introducing clearer separation between Olympic and continental ambitions through the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG).
The January 2026 update is not just an administrative reshuffle; it is a clear statement of intent on how India plans to chase medals at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics while simultaneously maximizing returns at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
At the core of this reset is a move away from broad inclusion toward measurable podium potential. After Paris 2024, the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) undertook a ruthless performance review. The TOPS Core Group, which stood at 179 athletes before Paris, was slashed to 94 in 2025. By January 2026, the list has been recalibrated to 118 athletes, reflecting both new talent emergence and strategic sport-specific shifts.
One of the most striking outcomes of this reshuffle is the rise of para-sport. For the first time, para-athletes (61) outnumber able-bodied athletes (57) in the TOPS Core Group. This is a direct consequence of India’s exceptional return from the Paris Paralympics, where the country secured 29 medals. The message is unambiguous: funding will follow results, not sentiment.
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The updated list also reinforces the government’s uncompromising stance on clean sport. Wrestler Reetika Hooda, an Asian Championships medallist and Paris 2024 quarterfinalist, was removed from the Core Group following an anti-doping rule violation. The speed and decisiveness of her exclusion underline a new reality: TOPS support is conditional, and ethical breaches will override competitive credentials.
At the same time, the handling of para-sprinter Simran shows that the system is not purely punitive. Despite her guide runner testing positive for a banned substance, Simran has been retained in the Core Group pending detailed review, reflecting a more nuanced application of accountability in para-sport, where athletes rely heavily on support personnel.
Compound Archery: A Strategic Pivot
Perhaps the most significant technical shift is the elevation of compound archery. With compound events set to make their Olympic debut at LA 2028, India has acted early. Eight compound archers—led by Jyoti Surekha Vennam, Ojas Pravin Deotale, Abhishek Verma, and Aditi Gopichand Swami have been inducted into the TOPS Core Group. This marks a decisive break from earlier cycles, where recurve archery monopolized Olympic-focused funding.
The logic is clear: India’s compound archers are world-beaters right now. By backing them early, the ministry is betting on a discipline where India can realistically contend for multiple medals in 2028.
Athletics: Performance Over Reputation
Athletics selections reflect the same philosophy. While Neeraj Chopra remains central to India’s Olympic ambitions, the inclusion of Sachin Yadav signals a shift toward rewarding current form. Yadav’s fourth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships where he outperformed Chopra forced a recalibration of the javelin hierarchy.
Similarly, Sarvesh Kushare’s inclusion after becoming the first Indian high jumper to reach a World Championships final shows that breakthrough global performances now translate directly into elite support. Established names are no longer guaranteed insulation from review.
TAGG: Continental Focus Without Dilution
Alongside TOPS, the creation of the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) is a crucial structural innovation. TAGG exists to support athletes and sports that may not project Olympic podium finishes but are strong medal contenders at the Asian level. This ensures that disciplines like tennis, golf, fencing, gymnastics, equestrian, and emerging junior talents are not abandoned in the Olympic-centric ecosystem.
TAGG allows India to chase a strong Asian Games medal tally without diluting TOPS resources meant strictly for Olympic podium outcomes. It is a pragmatic admission that excellence must be targeted differently at continental and global levels.
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Beyond the Core and TAGG groups, the Developmental Group has been strengthened with an eye on Brisbane 2032 and beyond. Young talents like Animesh Kujur in sprinting, Dhinidhi Desinghu in swimming, and India’s 4x400m relay pool have been placed under structured, long-term support. In table tennis, the shift toward Manush Shah, Manav Thakkar, and Diya Chitale reflects a generational handover strategy.
Regular physical and psychological evaluations, extended overseas training windows, and flexible funding have been formalized to ensure athletes are not just talented but sustainably competitive.
The January 2026 restructuring makes one thing clear: Indian sport is no longer operating on legacy, emotion, or reputation. Data, form, fitness, and medal probability now define who stays in the system and who moves out. Through the twin-track approach of TOPS and TAGG, India is attempting to build a results-driven, future-proof, high-performance ecosystem—one that aims to peak at LA 2028 while remaining dominant in Asia.
Summary: Who Is in Which Group?
TOPS Core Group (Olympic Podium Focus – LA 2028)
- Able-bodied and para-athletes with proven or realistic Olympic medal potential
- Key sports: Athletics, Archery (Compound & Recurve), Shooting, Boxing, Wrestling (clean athletes), Para-athletics, Para-badminton
- Notable names: Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Sarvesh Kushare, Jyoti Surekha Vennam, Ojas Deotale, Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara
Target Asian Games Group (TAGG – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Focus)
- Athletes with strong Asian Games medal prospects but limited Olympic podium probability
- Key sports: Tennis, Golf, Fencing, Gymnastics, Equestrian, select juniors
- Notable names: Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar, Bhavani Devi, Pranati Nayak
TOPS Developmental Group (Future Cycles: 2032 & Beyond)
- Emerging talents identified for long-term Olympic potential
- Key sports: Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis, Relays
- Notable names: Animesh Kujur, Dhinidhi Desinghu, Manush Shah, Diya Chitale, Men’s & Women’s 4x400m relay pools
This three-tier structure now defines the roadmap of Indian high-performance sport heading into the next Olympic cycle.
