Neeraj, Lovlina retained as TOPS list shrinks; Athletics drops all women

The Sports Ministry has drastically pruned its Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) core group, reducing the number of athletes from 179 to 94 after a performance review.

The latest overhaul has significantly impacted athletics and boxing, with several high-profile names missing from the updated list.

Among the 94 retained athletes, only 42 are able-bodied, down from 120 in the previous list, while 52 para-athletes have been included—a reflection of their growing international success. India’s record-breaking performance at the Paris Paralympics, where they won 29 medals (including seven gold), has cemented their prominence in the scheme.

The revised list remains dynamic, meaning additions and exclusions will continue based on performance leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. According to TOPS CEO N S Johal, the selection is a "truthful, transparent, and realistic reflection" of current potential.

Athletics and Boxing face major cuts

Athletics, which previously had 30 names, now features just three – Neeraj Chopra (javelin), Avinash Sable (steeplechase), and M Sreeshankar (long jump). Notably, no female athlete has made the cut.

Among the prominent omissions are Asian Games gold medalist Tajinderpal Singh Toor, national record-holding javelin thrower Annu Rani, and two-time Asiad gold-winning sprinter Muhammed Anas Yahiya.

Boxing’s representation has also been slashed from eight to two, with only Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain and world champion Nikhat Zareen retained.

Amit Panghal, Shiva Thapa, and Nishant Dev are among those left out. While Panghal and Thapa have struggled for form, Dev’s exclusion is due to his move to professional boxing in the US.

Badminton, shooting, and other sports impacted

The badminton list has also undergone a reshuffle. While P V Sindhu, H S Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty retain their spots, K Srikanth and Ashwini Ponnappa have been left out.

Shooting, traditionally seen as one of India’s strongest Olympic medal prospects, still has a sizeable presence but has been trimmed from 25 to 17. World Championships medalists Divyansh Singh Panwar (rifle) and Anish Bhanwala (pistol) are among those dropped.

No representation for tennis, swimming, and golf

Tennis, swimming, and golf have been completely excluded from the updated list.

India’s top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal and veteran doubles star Rohan Bopanna did not make the cut.

Table tennis has also seen a sharp reduction, with only Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula retained, while veteran Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan have been left out.

The ministry’s shift towards a performance-driven model aligns with the sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya and sports secretary Sujata Chaturvedi's push for greater accountability in funding elite athletes.

The new approach ensures that only those with proven potential on the world stage receive the benefits of foreign training, international exposure, and financial support under TOPS.

While the revised list has drawn mixed reactions, officials insist it remains open-ended, and athletes who demonstrate strong performances in upcoming qualification events could still make their way back.