SBI Life Insurance has signed a strategic partnership with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) to become the Principal Partner of the Indian Contingent for the 2026 para sports season. The company will also serve as the Official Life Insurance Partner for the Indian team at the Commonwealth Para Games 2026 in Glasgow and the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This partnership builds on SBI Life’s earlier association with India’s para athletes during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where India achieved its best ever medal haul of 29.
The Partnership: What It Covers
Under the agreement, SBI Life Insurance steps in as the Principal Partner of the Indian Contingent for the entire 2026 para sports season. This means the company’s support extends beyond a single event to cover both major international competitions that India’s para athletes will participate in this year.
The partnership has two distinct components. First, as Principal Partner, SBI Life provides financial and logistical backing to the PCI for preparing and fielding the Indian contingent across the 2026 season. Second, as the Official Life Insurance Partner, the company will offer insurance coverage to the athletes representing India at the Commonwealth Para Games 2026 and the Asian Para Games 2026.
The announcement was made by Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communication and CSR at SBI Life Insurance. The company had previously supported India’s para athletes during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, making this an expansion of an existing relationship. Devendra Jhajharia, President of PCI and a decorated Paralympic athlete himself, welcomed the partnership and highlighted how corporate support helps create an ecosystem where para athletes can focus on achieving sporting excellence.
SBI Life Insurance: Company Background
SBI Life Insurance Company Limited is one of India’s most trusted private life insurers. The company was incorporated in Mumbai in October 2000 and received its registration from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in March 2001. It began as a joint venture between the State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector bank, and BNP Paribas Cardif, a French financial institution.
The company is listed on both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). It has an authorized capital of ₹20 billion and assets under management (AuM) of ₹4,871.6 billion as of March 2026. SBI Life operates through 1,230 offices across India, supported by more than 29,000 employees and a network of over 2.8 lakh agents.
SBI Life’s CSR initiatives focus on child education, healthcare, disaster relief, and environmental sustainability. In the financial year 2025-26, the company reached over 20,500 direct beneficiaries through its CSR programmes. The partnership with PCI aligns with this broader commitment to social impact and sports development.
Paralympic Committee of India: Role and Background
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is the apex body responsible for promoting and developing para sports in the country. It selects athletes to represent India at the Paralympic Games, the Asian Para Games, and other international para sporting events. PCI is recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the National Paralympic Committee for India.
The organisation was originally founded in 1992 as the Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India and was later renamed to reflect a more inclusive approach. It is headquartered in New Delhi. PCI is also affiliated with the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) and various international sports federations.
The current President of PCI is Devendra Jhajharia, a three-time Paralympic medallist. Jhajharia won gold medals in javelin throw at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and a silver at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and the Arjuna Award. Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar serves as the Secretary General of PCI.
India’s Rising Stature in Para Sports
India’s para sports movement has grown significantly over the past two decades. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, India delivered its best ever performance with 29 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 13 bronze). This was a substantial improvement from the 19 medals won at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which itself was a record at the time.
At the continental level, India won 108 medals (27 gold, 32 silver, 49 bronze) at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, crossing the 100 medal mark for the first time in history and finishing 6th in the medal standings.
| Event | Medals | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo 2020 Paralympics | 19 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Paris 2024 Paralympics | 29 | 7 | 9 | 13 |
| Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games | 108 | 27 | 32 | 49 |
| Commonwealth Games (2002-2022, cumulative) | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
At the Commonwealth Games, India’s para athletes have made their mark since para events were first included in 2002. Over the years, Indian para athletes have accumulated 7 medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze) across Commonwealth Games editions. For the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, a 28-member Indian para contingent has been selected to compete across five disciplines: para athletics (11 athletes), para powerlifting (7), para swimming (5), para track cycling (1), and women’s wheelchair basketball 3x3 (4).
The 2026 Para Sports Calendar
The partnership covers two major international events in 2026.
The Commonwealth Para Games 2026 are being held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026. This edition features a record 47 para sport medal events, making it the largest integrated para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. The Glasgow Games are returning to the city after 12 years, having previously hosted the 2014 edition. This year’s Games feature a streamlined programme of 10 sports, with para events fully integrated into the main competition rather than being held separately.
The Asian Para Games 2026, officially the 5th Asian Para Games, will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 24, 2026. The Games will feature athletes from across Asia competing in 18 sports. This will be Japan’s first time hosting the Asian Para Games. The event follows the Asian Games, which are also being held in Aichi-Nagoya earlier in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- SBI Life Insurance became the Principal Partner of the Indian Contingent for the 2026 para sports season and the Official Life Insurance Partner for the Commonwealth Para Games 2026 and Asian Para Games 2026.
- The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), founded in 1992 and headquartered in New Delhi, is the apex body governing para sports in India.
- SBI Life Insurance was incorporated in October 2000 in Mumbai and is registered with IRDAI; it is a joint venture between State Bank of India and BNP Paribas Cardif.
- India achieved its best ever Paralympic performance at Paris 2024 with 29 medals, and its best Asian Para Games performance at Hangzhou 2022 with 108 medals.
- The Commonwealth Para Games 2026 in Glasgow feature a record 47 para sport medal events, running from July 23 to August 2, 2026.
- The Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, are scheduled from October 18 to 24, 2026, marking the 5th edition of the Games.
- Devendra Jhajharia, PCI President, is a three-time Paralympic medallist and recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award.
