India has slipped in the 2026 Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI) rankings released by FIDE, highlighting gaps in women's participation, performance, and progress compared to global improvements. A Times of India analysis points to systemic issues and calls for reforms to boost gender balance.
The 2026 GECI, the second edition from FIDE's Women in Chess Commission and The University of Queensland, ranks 119 federations on participation (women's share of rated players), performance (Elo rating gap), and progress (girls in youth events). While global scores rose across regions—with Asia averaging 64.5—and Mongolia topped at 89.26, India's position declined, as detailed in a Times of India report from New Delhi around International Women's Day.
Author Jyotirmoy Halder critiques the lack of a structured system in Indian chess: "There is no system in Indian chess which will produce champions. It is basically the efforts of the parents and the players that are in place." The article urges systemic changes to address shortcomings, though exact rankings and figures for India are not specified. Keywords like 'indian chess,' 'gender equality,' and 'FIDE' emphasize the push for greater women's involvement.
This India-focused analysis complements the global GECI overview, underscoring the need for targeted action amid worldwide progress.