New Delhi Bureau
Summary: The National Organ Transplant Games 2026 were inaugurated at New Delhi’s Talkatora Indoor Stadium, where Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan described organ donation as the greatest donation and urged society to shed the myths around it. In the inaugural ceremony, 570 organ transplant recipients and donors performed tadasana together, earning a certificate from the World Book of Records, New Delhi — a moment that symbolised how life after transplant moves forward with full energy.
Grand opening ceremony at Talkatora
On Sunday, 1 November, the National Organ Transplant Games 2026 were inaugurated at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan attended as chief guest and formally opened the games. Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, was present as guest of honour. The games are organised by the Renal Care Foundation and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as technical partner. Preliminary events had already begun on 31 October, a day before the main opening, and the main programme is now under way at Talkatora. More than 500 athletes are taking part in the games — all of them people who have received a transplant or donated an organ, and who are now celebrating their new life on the sporting field.
570 people perform tadasana together, a world record
The most memorable moment of the opening ceremony came when 570 organ transplant recipients and donors performed tadasana together. Such a large group of recipients and donors performing the yoga posture in unison was itself a unique effort, and on its success the organisers received a certificate from the World Book of Records, New Delhi. The certificate records it as the largest group of transplant recipients and donors performing tadasana. Tadasana is a simple yet effective yoga posture — standing straight and stretching the body upward. Performing it collectively was a symbol of the message that life after transplant is not a life of weakness, but one of balance, discipline and self-confidence. Every participant standing on the ground carried a story of struggle and then of return.
‘Zindagi Dobara’ calendar released, winners honoured
During the ceremony, the Vice President released the ‘Zindagi Dobara’ calendar. The calendar brings forward the stories and messages of people who received a second chance at life because of organ donation. Medallists from the World Transplant Games 2025 held in Dresden, Germany, were also honoured; they had represented India on the international stage and returned with medals. The Vice President also took the organ donation pledge along with everyone present. Exhibition matches in kabaddi, table tennis and badminton followed, featuring transplant-recipient athletes. The purpose of these matches was not entertainment alone, but to show that athletes after transplant can take the field with full strength.
The Vice President’s message — organ donation is the greatest donation
In his address, the Vice President described organ donation as a mahadan, the greatest donation. He said it is a donation through which hope can live on even after someone is gone — one person’s donated organ can save another person’s life and give their family a new morning. He described the games as a celebration of courage, determination, compassion and the priceless gift of life. He called for greater awareness about organ donation and for removing the myths and misconceptions attached to it. Many apprehensions and half-truths about organ donation still circulate in society, and the purpose of such events is to replace those misconceptions with facts. He congratulated the Renal Care Foundation, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and NOTTO for the initiative.
Who took part, and what shape the games take
The National Organ Transplant Games 2026 differ from an ordinary sporting competition. Here, reaching the field matters more than winning or losing. Over 500 athletes from across the country are participating. According to the games’ official information, the Vice President was chief guest at the opening ceremony, Prataprao Jadhav was guest of honour, and Member of Parliament Bansuri Swaraj was among the distinguished guests. The games began with a torch-lighting ceremony in March 2026, when they were called the Delhi Transplant Games; they were later renamed the National Organ Transplant Games 2026. Preliminary events began on 31 October, and the main opening ceremony took place on 1 November. The event has thus reached its main stage after months of preparation.
Organ donation in India — what the numbers say
India has made remarkable progress in organ donation and transplantation over the past decade. According to information shared earlier by the Health Ministry, the number of transplants in the country was under 5,000 in 2013 and rose to nearly 20,000 in 2025. In the same period, transplants from deceased donors grew from 837 in 2013 to 3,526 in 2025. In 2025, more than 1,200 families came forward to donate the organs of their loved ones after death. Since September 2023, more than 4.8 million citizens have registered for post-death organ and tissue donation through the Aadhaar-verified system. With these figures, India has become the third-largest country in the world in total transplants, after the United States and China. India has also gained expertise in complex transplants such as heart, lung and pancreas, and leads the world in hand transplants.
How the system works — NOTTO, the law and digital initiatives
The organ donation and transplantation system runs through the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), the nodal agency of the Health Ministry. The legal framework is set by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994. Several digital initiatives have been taken to make the system transparent and accessible. Since the national digital organ donation portal began in 2023, more than 500,000 people have taken the Aadhaar-verified organ donation pledge. The ‘e-Pratyarpan’ digital platform connects hospitals, doctors, patients, donors and other institutions on a single network, and the NOTTO mobile app gives the public information and services related to organ donation. Kidney transplantation has also been included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, so that economically weaker patients can access the facility. The ‘Jug Jug Jiyo’ campaign is working to carry the message of organ donation to every village.
What lies ahead — awareness is the biggest field
The biggest message of the National Organ Transplant Games 2026 reaches beyond the field, into society. Organisers and experts believe raising awareness is the greatest challenge, because even as medical capability grows, the number of donors remains low compared with demand. Events like these give society a chance to see that transplant recipients live normal, active and successful lives — they play, they win medals and they inspire others. The number of citizens pledging organ donation is rising, and digital channels have made the pledge process easier. The games’ events will continue in the coming days, and the winners’ stories will reach society. It is hoped that the tadasana world record set at Talkatora will not remain just a certificate, but will inspire thousands of families to think about organ donation and step forward.
Disclaimer: This news has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. If any fact is found incorrect, a correction will be published.
