Neeraj Chopra: Education, Journey, & Olympic gold

Published at : 6 Aug 2024, 9:25 PM IST

Updated at : 6 Aug 2024, 9:52 PM IST

Neeraj Chopra: The Journey of India’s Javelin Maestro

For millions, particularly in India, Neeraj Chopra, a call associated with achievement within worldwide of athletics, has ended up a concept. Neeraj Chopra, a name synonymous with brilliance in the world athletics community, has become a household name, particularly in India. Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village, Haryana, Neeraj’s journey from a tiny town to the Olympic podium exemplifies his tenacity, hard effort, and constant focus.

Known mostly for his javelin throwing skills, Neeraj set history by winning the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, being the first Indian athlete to do it in song and field. This article dives into Neeraj Chopra’s educational background, athletic journey, and the remarkable accomplishments that have defined his career. In addition, we will provide up-to-date information to highlight his unwavering impact on the sport. Also, read IIT Madras starts sports excellence based admission in UG programmes

Neeraj Chopra hails from Khandra, a small village withinside the Panipat district of Haryana, North India.This village, with a populace of around 2,000, predominantly includes farmers.Chopra’s father, Satish Kumar, is a farmer, and his mother, Saroj Devi, is a housewife.He has sisters, and developing up, Neeraj became the apple of his own circle of relatives’s eye.According to his uncle Sultan, Neeraj became pampered and protected from family chores, and his circle of relatives centered on making sure he had a carefree childhood

Neeraj Chopra first of all attended Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) College in Chandigarh however later dropped out to sign up for the Indian Army. He is presently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, demonstrating his dedication to persevering with his schooling along his athletic career.

The Nickname ‘Sarpanch’

Neeraj Chopra earned the nickname ‘sarpanch’ (village head) during his college days. The name originated from an incident when Neeraj wore a new kurta gifted by his father to college, making him appear quite formal. His friends humorously started calling him ‘sarpanch,’ a name that has stuck ever since and adds a unique charm to his persona.

Physical Attributes

Physical Attributes Standing tall at 6 feet (182 cm), Neeraj Chopra’s peak has been a bonus in his javelin-throwing career. His athletic body enhances his rigorous schooling regimen, permitting him to excel in the sport.

Career in the Indian Army

.Career inside the Indian Army Neeraj Chopra’s excellent overall performance in numerous country-wide and global tournaments stuck the eye of the Indian Army. In 2016, after his gold-prevailing performances at the World Junior Championships and South Asian Games, he was inducted into the four Rajputana Rifles unit as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) with the rank of Naib Subedar. In 2018, following his victories in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, he was promoted to the rank of Subedar. Chopra’s contributions to sports activities have been identified whilst he obtained the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for excellence in sports activities on January 26, 2022.

Major Achievements

Olympic Triumph:

Neeraj Chopra’s crowning glory came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he clinched the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw with a remarkable throw of 87.58 meters. This historic win made him the first Indian to secure a gold medal in athletics at the Olympic Games.

Other Notable Wins:

World Junior Championships: Gold
World Championships: Gold
Asian Championships: Gold
Asian Games: Gold
Commonwealth Games: Gold
South Asian Games: Gold
Diamond League: Winner

In addition to these accolades, Neeraj Chopra was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2022 for his achievements at the Tokyo Olympics.

Rise to Fame

Neeraj Chopra’s achievement has catapulted him to stardom, making him a sought-after determine for emblem endorsements, TV appearances, and mag covers. His reputation extends past the sports activities arena, and he’s now a well-identified public determine

Personal Life and Interests

Despite his busy schedule, Neeraj Chopra keeps a near connection together along with his roots.In September 2021, he fulfilled a lifelong dream with the aid of taking his mother and father on their first flight, a touching gesture that he shared on Instagram, reflecting his gratitude and love for his circle of relatives.

Conclusion

Neeraj Chopra’s adventure from a village in Haryana to turning into an Olympic champion is a tale of relentless pursuit and resilience. His achievements have now no longer most effectively introduced monstrous delight to India however have additionally stimulated a brand new era of athletes. With his endured determination and passion, Neeraj is poised to gain even more heights in the future. As of 2024, Neeraj stays a dominant pressure in javelin throw, continuously rating some of the pinnacle athletes globally.

His tale is an effective reminder that with tough work, perseverance, and a robust help system, wonderful desires can certainly end up a reality. Neeraj Chopra’s legacy is ready to encourage endless aspiring athletes for years to come, solidifying his location as one in all India’s finest-carrying legends.

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QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 Out — IIT Delhi Leads Among Indian Institutions

Vani Jha

Published at : 19 Nov 2025, 11:11 AM IST

Updated at : 19 Nov 2025, 11:11 AM IST

India’s Impressive Footprint

India now stands as the fourth most represented country globally in this edition, with only the U.S., China, and the U.K. fielding more institutions. This surge highlights a growing national focus on sustainability across campuses, whether it’s in green research, governance, or social impact.

IITs at the Forefront

Among all Indian universities, IIT Delhi emerged as the clear leader in QS Sustainability 2026. It secured the 205th spot globally with an overall sustainability score of 83.1. Following QS World University closely are:

IIT Bombay at 235th (score: 81.4)
IIT Kharagpur at 236th (score: 81.3)
IIT Madras, Kanpur, and Roorkee also made the list, among other IITs.

QS World University Sustainability Ranking 2026 – India (Overall)

SI.No	World Rank	India Rank	Institution Name	Location	Overall Score
1	=205	1	Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)	India	83.1
2	=235	2	Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)	India	81.4
3	=236	3	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP)	India	81.3
4	=241	4	University of Delhi	India	80.9
5	305	5	Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)	India	77.3
6	=310	6	Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)	India	77
7	=352	7	Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR)	India	74.9
8	=352	7	Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, India	India	74.9
9	=462	9	Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore	India	70.5
10	=467	10	Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India	India	70.3
11	478	11	Anna University	India	69.8
12	487	12	Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani	India	69.4
13	=522	13	Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences	India	68
14	=544	14	Lovely Professional University (LPU)	India	67.1
15	=533	15	Jadavpur University	India	66.8

Despite IIT Delhi’s strong performance, it has fallen from its 2025 ranking of 171 in sustainability to 205 this year for QS World University. That said, the drop in rank comes alongside an increase in its score, indicating intensifying global competition.

Environmental Impact (45%) — encompassing environmental sustainability, education, and research.
Social Impact (45%) — covering equality, knowledge exchange, wellbeing, employability, and more.
Governance (10%) — assessing ethics, transparency, decision-making, and hiring practices.

For India’s universities, strengths include knowledge exchange (for example, the University of Delhi ranked 94th globally in that metric), environmental education, and governance improvements.

Global Topper

On the world stage, Lund University (Sweden) claimed first place with a perfect 100 score, dethroning last year’s leader, the University of Toronto.

Why This Matters

Student Choice: As sustainability becomes a key concern for students globally, these rankings help prospective students identify universities that prioritise long-term environmental and social responsibility.
Policy and Funding: Governments, donors, and industry partners could use these insights to support universities driving sustainable innovation.
Reputation & Research: A high sustainability score boosts an institution’s standing among international peers, especially in areas like climate research, community outreach, and governance reforms.

In Conclusion, the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 highlight India’s strong and growing commitment to building greener, more responsible campuses. While IIT Delhi continues to lead the way, the broader rise in Indian university participation, now over a hundred strong, sends a powerful message: sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a movement transforming higher education across the country.

Vani Jha

Vani Jha is a creative content writer with over 2 years of experience in producing engaging, informative, and well-researched content across various domains. Her expertise lies in SEO, research, editing, and content and copywriting. With a proven track record in enhancing online presence and audience engagement, Vani excels in crafting compelling articles, blogs, and other written materials.