39 medals, top-five finish: India ends CWG 2026 with several historic firsts
India concluded the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 39 medals, securing a top-five finish despite a smaller contingent and the absence of several medal-rich events. While the total count was lower than the 2022 Birmingham Games, the team achieved historic milestones in boxing, para sports, and judo.
Why it matters
This performance highlights India's evolving sports landscape and its ability to maintain international competitiveness despite logistical and financial challenges in hosting the Games.
India signed off from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze. The contingent fell short of the 50-medal mark that India had reached at every Commonwealth Games since 2002.With several medal-rich sports missing from the programme because of financial constraints in hosting the Games — after the event was moved from Victoria in Australia to Glasgow — expectations were lower than in previous editions. Even so, India found success in new events, celebrated new athletes and produced several landmark performances.The contingent did not add to its medal tally on the final day, but the campaign ended with highlights that included a record boxing performance, India's best-ever showing in para sports at the Commonwealth Games, and the country's strongest judo campaign in the history of the event.Weightlifting gave India its first medals of the Games, returning with eight medals — one…
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