Hockey GK for Railway Exams 2026 is an important scoring area in the General Knowledge section. Questions are often asked from basic rules, match format, governing bodies, and India’s performance in major tournaments. A clear understanding of these topics helps candidates secure easy marks with minimal effort.
Field hockey holds a special place in Indian sports history. From Olympic dominance to legendary players like Major Dhyan Chand, hockey-related questions remain highly relevant for Railway Exams 2026.
Hockey GK for Railway Exams 2026 Overview
The overview below highlights essential field hockey facts frequently asked in competitive exams. These points are useful for quick revision before the exam.
Topic | Key Information |
Sport Name | Field Hockey |
Match Duration | 70 minutes |
Players per Team | 11 |
National Status (India) | Widely considered national sport (not official) |
Governing Body (India) | Hockey India |
International Governing Body | FIH |
Olympic Gold Medals (India) | 8 Gold Medals |
Hockey World Cup Titles (India) | 1 (1975) |
Magician of Hockey | Major Dhyan Chand |
Latest Men’s World Cup Winner | Germany (2023) |
Latest Women’s World Cup Winner | Netherlands (2022) |
Basic Rules and Gameplay of Field Hockey
Field hockey is a team sport played on a rectangular field. Each team has 11 players, including a goalkeeper. The objective is to score goals by hitting a small hard ball into the opponent’s goal using a J-shaped stick.
A standard match lasts 70 minutes, divided into four quarters. The game is often compared to football, but players use sticks instead of feet to control the ball. This rule-based difference is commonly tested in Railway Exams.
Hockey India and International Governing Body
Hockey India, established in 2009, is the national governing body for field hockey in India. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. The organisation manages national teams and domestic competitions.
At the international level, the sport is governed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). FIH was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. Questions on founding years and headquarters are common in exams.
India’s Performance in Major Hockey Tournaments
India has shown contrasting performances in the Olympics and the Hockey World Cup. The comparison below is important for exam preparation.
Tournament | India’s Performance | Key Details |
Olympic Games | Highly Successful | 8 Olympic Gold Medals, first gold in 1928 Amsterdam Olympics |
Hockey World Cup | Limited Success | Won once in 1975 (Kuala Lumpur) |
India’s Olympic record makes it one of the most successful nations in hockey history.
Field and Equipment Specifications in Hockey
Understanding the field and equipment dimensions helps in answering factual GK questions.
- Field Shape: Rectangular
- Field Length: 91.44 metres
- Field Width: 50–55 metres
- Goal Post Width: 3.66 metres
- Ball Weight: 155–163 grams
India also has the highest astroturf hockey stadium, located in Shilaroo, Himachal Pradesh.
Important Hockey Terminology for Railway Exams 2026
Hockey-related terms are frequently asked in one-liner questions. Key terms include:
- Penalty Stroke
- Scoop
- Bully
- 16-yard hit
- Full-back
- Centre Forward
- Undercutting
- Tie-breaker
Recent Major Hockey Tournaments
Recent events are crucial for current affairs sections.
The 15th Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 was hosted in India. Germany won the title, while Belgium finished runner-up. The Women’s Hockey World Cup 2022 was won by the Netherlands, with Argentina as runner-up.
The Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups 2026 will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Hockey GK for Railway Exams 2026 remains a high-yield topic. Regular revision of these facts can significantly improve overall GK scores.
