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New Delhi: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has rescheduled the 9th Men's and Women's National Boxing Championships due to the pollution control measures mandated by the Government and effective until 31st December 2025.
Earlier, the tournament, which will bring India's premier boxers under one roof, was scheduled to begin from December 31st to January 6, 2026, in Greater Noida. But now it will begin from January 4 to 10, 2026, at Gautam Buddha University. This is the first time that both men's and women's tournaments will be held simultaneously.
According to the BFI press release, the draw for the tournament will take place on December 30, and it will mark the start of India's next high-performance cycle. Teams from across India will participate across ten weight categories, each for men and women, which is in full compliance with World Boxing Technical & Competition Rules.
Each unit is allowed to field one boxer per category, with no reserves allowed. Eligible boxers must be born between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 2006. All bout will follow the global competition format of three rounds of three minutes, with one-minute rest breaks and the 10-point must scoring system.
The National Championships return at a crucial moment for Indian boxing, with the previous cycle launched in early 2025. The Men's and Women's National Championships provided many boxers who rose through the domestic system, earning places in the national camp and performed brilliantly at international tournaments. That structure helped in India's stunning performance at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 in Greater Noida, clinching a record 20 medals, including nine golds.
BFI President Ajay Singh stated in a release that strong systems are the backbone of long-term success, and the National Championships are where that system truly begins.
He further added that this tournament creates opportunities for the boxers, reveals talent, and gives everyone a fair pathway into the national camp, and India's recent success at the World Boxing Cup Finals proved how powerful this event can be. He further added that as they prepare for the upcoming challenges, it will be crucial to identify and prepare athletes who will carry India's hope forward.
"Many of India's brightest World Boxing Cup Finals stars began their ascent at the previous Nationals. Sachin Siwach and Hitesh Gulia, who struck gold at the World Boxing Cup Finals, were National Champions first. Minakshi and Jaismine, now the reigning World Champions, also made their early statements at these very Championships. With the international calendar moving toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, the Nationals once again become the gateway to India's elite programme," said Ajay Singh as quoted from a release by BFI.
Services will enter the tournament as the defending Men's National Champions, while Railways will look to retain the Women's Team Championship title.
