National Sports Day 2026: Major Dhyan Chand, Theme, Study Notes & MCQs

🏑 National Sports Day 2026

Major Dhyan Chand • Theme • Important Facts • Study Notes • MCQs
Updated: 29 August 2026
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🎯 Student & Exam Focus

National Sports Day is useful for Current Affairs, Important Days and Sports GK questions in APPSC, TGPSC/TSPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking, Police SI, Constable, UPSC and other competitive examinations.

1 What is National Sports Day?

National Sports Day is observed in India every year on 29 August. The day promotes sports, physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and a healthy lifestyle among citizens, particularly children and young people.

⭐ Remember: National Sports Day of India = 29 August

2 Why is National Sports Day Celebrated on 29 August?

National Sports Day is celebrated on 29 August to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. His contribution to Indian hockey made him one of the most celebrated sporting personalities in India's history.

3 Who was Major Dhyan Chand?

Major Dhyan Chand was one of India's greatest field hockey players. He was born on 29 August 1905 and became internationally famous for his remarkable ball control, dribbling and goal-scoring ability. He is popularly remembered as the “Hockey Wizard.”

  • Name: Major Dhyan Chand
  • Date of Birth: 29 August 1905
  • Sport: Field Hockey
  • Popular Title: Hockey Wizard

4 Major Dhyan Chand's Olympic Legacy

Major Dhyan Chand was part of India's historic hockey teams during an era of extraordinary Olympic success. India won three consecutive Olympic hockey gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

🧠 MEMORY TRICK

Dhyan Chand → Hockey → 1928 → 1932 → 1936

5 National Sports Day 2026

In 2026, National Sports Day is being observed as part of a three-day nationwide sports campaign from 28 to 30 August 2026. The celebrations focus on sports participation, fitness, youth engagement and creating a stronger sporting culture across India.

6 National Sports Day 2026 Theme

The theme of the three-day National Sports Day 2026 campaign is “Tribute, Play, and Move.”

The message combines three ideas: paying tribute to India's sporting legends, encouraging people to actively participate in games and promoting regular physical movement as part of everyday life.

📌 Exam Point:
2026 Campaign Theme = Tribute, Play, and Move

7 “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein”

A major focus of National Sports Day celebrations on 29 August 2026 is the nationwide “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” initiative.

It encourages citizens, particularly young people, to dedicate at least one hour to sports and physical activity and to make fitness a regular part of daily life.

⚠️ Do Not Confuse

2026 Campaign Theme: Tribute, Play, and Move

29 August Initiative: Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein

8 Importance of Sports for Students

Sports are an important part of student development. Regular physical activity can support physical fitness while also developing discipline, team spirit, leadership, confidence, concentration and resilience.

  • 🏃 Improves physical fitness
  • 🎯 Develops concentration and focus
  • 🤝 Encourages teamwork
  • 💪 Builds confidence and resilience
  • ⏰ Teaches discipline and time management
  • 🏆 Develops a healthy competitive spirit

9 Important Exam Facts at a Glance

Exam Point Correct Fact
National Sports Day 29 August
Celebrated in honour of Major Dhyan Chand
Birth Date 29 August 1905
Sport Field Hockey
Popular Title Hockey Wizard
Olympic Gold Years 1928, 1932, 1936
2026 Campaign Dates 28–30 August 2026
2026 Campaign Theme Tribute, Play, and Move
29 August 2026 Initiative Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein
Main Focus Sports, Fitness & Youth Participation

10 Quick Revision – 30 Seconds

  • National Sports Day → 29 August
  • Honours → Major Dhyan Chand
  • Born → 29 August 1905
  • Sport → Field Hockey
  • Known as → Hockey Wizard
  • Olympic Gold Years → 1928, 1932, 1936
  • 2026 Campaign → 28–30 August
  • 2026 Theme → Tribute, Play, and Move
  • 29 August Initiative → Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein
  • Key Message → Make Sports and Fitness Part of Daily Life
🎯 ONE-LINE REVISION

29 August → Dhyan Chand → Hockey → 1928, 1932, 1936 → Tribute, Play, and Move → One Hour of Sports

11 Important MCQs – Click to Check Answer

Attempt each question first and then click “Show Answer & Explanation”.

1. National Sports Day is observed in India on:
A. 15 August
B. 21 June
C. 29 August
D. 5 September
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C – 29 August
India observes National Sports Day every year on 29 August.
2. National Sports Day commemorates the birth anniversary of:
A. Milkha Singh
B. Major Dhyan Chand
C. P.T. Usha
D. Balbir Singh Sr.
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B – Major Dhyan Chand
National Sports Day is observed on his birth anniversary.
3. Major Dhyan Chand was associated with which sport?
A. Cricket
B. Football
C. Field Hockey
D. Badminton
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C – Field Hockey
Dhyan Chand became internationally famous as an Indian hockey player.
4. Major Dhyan Chand was born in:
A. 1895
B. 1900
C. 1905
D. 1910
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C – 1905
Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905.
5. Major Dhyan Chand is popularly remembered as:
A. Flying Sikh
B. Hockey Wizard
C. Golden Boy
D. Payyoli Express
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B – Hockey Wizard
The title refers to his extraordinary skill and control in hockey.
6. Which are India's three consecutive Olympic hockey gold years associated with Dhyan Chand's era?
A. 1924, 1928, 1932
B. 1928, 1932, 1936
C. 1932, 1936, 1948
D. 1948, 1952, 1956
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B – 1928, 1932 and 1936
These three Olympic editions are especially important for exam preparation.
7. What is the theme of the National Sports Day 2026 three-day campaign?
A. Sports for All
B. Fit India, Strong India
C. Tribute, Play, and Move
D. One Nation, One Sport
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C – Tribute, Play, and Move
This is the theme of the nationwide three-day National Sports Day 2026 campaign.
8. National Sports Day 2026 is being observed as a three-day campaign from:
A. 27–29 August
B. 28–30 August
C. 29–31 August
D. 30 August–1 September
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B – 28–30 August 2026
The nationwide campaign is being observed over these three days.
9. “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” encourages citizens to spend at least:
A. 15 minutes playing
B. 30 minutes playing
C. One hour playing
D. Three hours playing
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C – One Hour
The initiative encourages citizens, particularly youth, to dedicate at least one hour to sports and physical activity.
10. Which of the following is correctly matched?
A. National Sports Day – 5 September
B. Major Dhyan Chand – Cricket
C. National Sports Day 2026 Theme – Tribute, Play, and Move
D. Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein – 30 minutes
✅ Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C – National Sports Day 2026 Theme – Tribute, Play, and Move
The 2026 three-day campaign uses the theme “Tribute, Play, and Move.”
🏆 Most Expected Exam Questions

1. National Sports Day date? → 29 August
2. Whose birth anniversary? → Major Dhyan Chand
3. Associated sport? → Field Hockey
4. Olympic gold years? → 1928, 1932, 1936
5. National Sports Day 2026 theme? → Tribute, Play, and Move
6. 2026 special initiative? → Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein

📚 Source & Accuracy Note

The current-affairs information for National Sports Day 2026 has been prepared using official Government of India updates from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Press Information Bureau (PIB). The notes have been structured specifically for student revision and competitive-examination preparation.

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