The Indian Series-8 concluded recently at Pune’s AITP Ground, and attention now shifts to the next competition, Indian Series-9, scheduled for June 13 at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana.

Although it is a one-day event, it could prove to be one of the most important competitions of the season for many athletes.

Commonwealth Games hopes remain alive

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Selection Committee has decided to provide athletes with one additional opportunity to achieve the qualification standards for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.

The decision was taken following representations from several athletes who competed on the final day of the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Cup Championships in Ranchi from May 22–25, 2026. According to an AFI circular dated May 30, 2026, the athletes stated that they were unable to produce their best performances due to the unconducive windy weather conditions on the concluding day of the competition.

After four days of high-quality competition in Ranchi, which witnessed multiple national records being broken, a total of 12 male and two female athletes achieved the Commonwealth Games qualification standards set by AFI.
India can send a maximum athletics contingent of 32 athletes to the Commonwealth Games:
• 16 Men
• 16 Women

Several notable performers from the Federation Cup narrowly missed the qualification standards despite producing exceptional performances.

Ancy Sojan, for instance, broke the meet record and recorded India’s third-best all-time women’s long jump mark of 6.75m, yet fell short of the qualification standard. Similarly, Vishal T.K. became the first Indian athlete to run sub-45 seconds in the men’s 400m with 44.92s, but still missed the required mark.

Perhaps the biggest surprise came in the men’s javelin throw, where no Indian athlete has yet breached the qualification standard of 82.61m. The closest has been Shivam Satish Lohakare, who produced a lifetime best throw of 81.71m while winning gold at the Federation Cup, missing the mark by just 90 centimetres.

Several events are still awaiting qualifiers, including the women’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, Long Jump and Javelin Throw, while on the men’s side, athletes are still chasing qualification in events such as the 800m and Triple Jump.

While the men’s contingent is nearly complete with only four spots remaining, the women’s team remains largely open, with 14 places yet to be filled.

The upcoming Indian Series meets will feature events including the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m Steeplechase, High Jump, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Javelin Throw, Hammer Throw and 110m/100m Hurdles. Additionally, the men’s Triple Jump and 10,000m Race Walk, along with the women’s Long Jump, will also be contested.

For many athletes, this competition could serve as a final “Tatkal” opportunity to secure their ticket to Glasgow 2026.