In a significant boost to India's Olympic ambitions, the government has expanded its elite athlete funding program, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), by adding 24 new names. This update comes with a strategic focus on compound archery, a discipline where India excels globally and which will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Revised TOPS List: A Post-Paris Rationalization
The latest roster now features a total of 118 athletes, marking an increase of 24 from the 94 athletes retained after the 2024 Paris Olympics. This expansion follows a period of rationalization after India's performance in Paris, where the nation secured six medals. The government undertook a review to streamline the scheme, which provides customized training and financial support to top contenders.
The current list comprises 61 para athletes and 57 able-bodied athletes. This is a refined group, having been trimmed down from 179 athletes in 2024 to 94 in 2025 before this latest addition. Alongside the core group, 18 athletes have been added to the developmental group, which includes prominent names like Asian Games medallist decathlete Tejaswin Shankar and national record holder in 100m and 200m, Animesh Kujur.
Major Inclusions: Archery Takes Center Stage
The most notable update is the inclusion of eight compound archers, a direct response to the sport's new Olympic status for LA 2028. Previously, only recurve archers like Deepika Kumari and Dhiraj Bommadevara were part of TOPS. The new compound archery contingent includes world-class talents such as Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Abhishek Verma, Parneet Kaur, Aditi Swami, and Ojas Deotale, alongside Priyansh, Prathmesh Jawkar, and Rishab Yadav.
India has consistently been a powerhouse in compound archery on the world stage. The introduction of mixed team events in 2028 significantly enhances India's medal prospects, given the proven strength of its compound archery squad.
Other Sporting Disciplines See Key Additions
The revised list also brings in other top performers from across sports. Javelin thrower Sachin Yadav, who finished an impressive fourth at the recent World Athletics Championships ahead of Neeraj Chopra, has been included. High jumper Sarvesh Anil Kushare, who placed sixth in the World Championship final, also finds a spot.
In wrestling, new additions include U23 World champion Sujeet Kalkal and Asian champion Manisha, who join Paris medallist Aman Sehrawat and World Championships medallist Antim Panghal. Mirabai Chanu remains the sole weightlifter on the list.
Shooters continue to form the largest contingent, with 18 in the TOPS core list and 19 in the developmental list, with no changes in their rankings. However, the continued absence of world champion boxer Jaismine Lamboria and multiple World Cup-winning wrestler Suruchi Phogat has raised questions.
Focus on the Asian Games
Separately, the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) has been formed to support athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. This group features 48 athletes, including golfer Shubhankar Sharma, Diksha Dagar, tennis players Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri, and the rapidly rising Maya Rajeswaran.
This refreshed TOPS list represents a calibrated approach by the Sports Ministry, aiming to build on past experiences and channel resources more effectively towards sports and athletes with the highest probability of podium success at the Olympics and other major multi-sport events like the Asian Games.
