NIDJAM 2026, the 20th National Inter District Junior Athletics Meet, will take place at Woxsen University in Hyderabad from 14 to 16 November. It is the Athletics Federation of India’s biggest talent hunt for Under 14 and Under 16 athletes, and every entry comes through a district athletics association.
Online entries open on 15 October and close on 30 October. This guide therefore covers everything from the AFI circular: the age limits, the events, how many athletes a district can send, the entry steps and the documents to carry.
NIDJAM 2026 at a glance
- Full name: 20th National Inter District Junior Athletics Meet 2026
- Dates: 14 to 16 November 2026
- Venue: Woxsen University, Kamkole, Sadasivpet, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Organisers: Athletics Federation of India with the Government of Telangana
- Age groups: Under 14 and Under 16, boys and girls
- Entries: online only, through district units, 15 to 30 October 2026
- Age verification: 13 November 2026, at the venue
Jump to: What is NIDJAM Age groups Events District quota How to enter Documents Food and travel Last edition
What is NIDJAM?
NIDJAM is AFI’s national meet for district champions. AFI first launched it in 2003, and its aim is to find young talent early and give it a national stage.
The meet has grown with every edition. For example, the 2018 meet in Tirupati drew more than 4,500 athletes from over 420 districts. Then the 2023 edition in Patna had 5,482 athletes from 599 districts, according to The Bridge.
NIDJAM 2026 age groups: who is eligible
There are only two age groups, and the date of birth decides the group. In addition, an athlete must be at least 12 years old on 16 November 2026.
| Age group | Date of birth | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | 17 November 2012 to 16 November 2014 | 12 years on 16 November 2026 |
| Under 16 | 17 November 2010 to 16 November 2012 | – |
For example, a child born on 20 December 2012 is in the Under 14 group. However, a child born on 1 November 2012 falls in the Under 16 group.
NIDJAM 2026 events for Under 14 and Under 16
Under 14: triathlons and kids javelin
Under 14 athletes do not enter single events. Instead, each athlete chooses one triathlon group. Every Under 14 athlete must also take part in the kids javelin throw.
| Under 14 event | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Triathlon A | 60m, long jump (5m approach) and high jump (scissor) |
| Triathlon B | 60m, long jump (5m approach) and back throw (1kg shot) |
| Triathlon C | 60m, long jump (5m approach) and 600m |
| Kids javelin throw | Five-metre runway; compulsory for all Under 14 athletes |
Under 16: single events with lighter implements
The Under 16 events use shorter runways and lighter implements than senior athletics. For example, the shot put is a standing throw, and the high jump is scissor style only.
| Event | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 60m | Yes | Yes |
| 80m hurdles | 0.838m hurdles | 0.762m hurdles |
| 600m | Yes | Yes |
| High jump | Scissor style only | Scissor style only |
| Long jump | 5m approach | 5m approach |
| Shot put (standing) | 4kg | 3kg |
| Javelin throw (10m approach) | 600g | 500g |
The circular also lists a pentathlon of 60m, 80m hurdles, long jump, standing shot put and 600m. However, its table does not make clear which group runs it, so check with your district unit before you enter.
How many athletes can a district send to NIDJAM 2026?
The quota is small, so district selection matters. Each district can send:
District quota for NIDJAM 2026
- Under 14: a maximum of four athletes, boys and girls together
- Under 16: one event per athlete, and a maximum of two athletes per event
- Free boarding and lodging: up to 13 athletes and 2 officials per district
Above all, only districts that have held a district meet under AFI guidelines can enter. The district association also has to send the district meet results, press cuttings and photographs with its entry, and it needs a valid PAN in its own name.
How to enter NIDJAM 2026
Athletes cannot enter on their own. Instead, the district athletics association enters them online. Here are the steps:
Important: AFI accepts online entries only. Entries sent by WhatsApp or email are not accepted.
NIDJAM 2026 age verification and documents
Age verification takes place on 13 November, at the venue, as soon as the teams arrive. An AFI committee, which includes doctors, checks every athlete, and managers or coaches have to present their athletes in person.
So bring the original proof of date of birth. AFI accepts either a birth certificate from the Birth and Death Registration Office (municipal corporation, nagar palika or district) or a Class 10 certificate. As a result, an athlete who does not clear verification cannot compete.
Food, stay and travel at NIDJAM 2026
AFI provides food from 13 to 17 November. It also gives free boarding and lodging to up to 13 athletes and 2 officials from each district.
In addition, AFI pays back the rail fare after the meet. It checks the original tickets and the athlete’s actual participation, and then it pays the money into the district association’s bank account. However, overage athletes get no travel allowance, food or accommodation.
Last edition: the 19th NIDJAM in Ahmedabad
The 19th NIDJAM took place at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad from 16 to 18 February 2024. You can see the 19th NIDJAM results (PDF) on our site.
Where else Under 14 and Under 16 athletes compete this season
The Under 14 and Under 16 groups also race at the National Junior Athletics Championships 2026 in Chennai from 23 to 27 October. Meanwhile, the zone results show the current level: see the Under 16 tables in our East Zone athletics 2026 results.