Tejas Shirse Shatters National Record in 110m Hurdles, Qualifies for CWG 2026

On June 13, 2026, 24-year-old Indian athlete Tejas Shirse set a new national record in the men's 110m hurdles by clocking an impressive 13.27 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana. In doing so, he shattered his own previous record of 13.41 seconds and comfortably breached the Athletics Federation of India's (AFI) 13.39-second qualification mark for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games. This landmark achievement solidifies his standing as one of Asia's top hurdlers this season and signals India's growing prominence in highly technical track-and-field events.

What Happened

On June 13, 2026, 24-year-old Indian hurdler Tejas Shirse delivered a historic performance by breaking the national record in the men's 110m hurdles. Clocking a blistering 13.27 seconds, he improved upon his own previous best of 13.41 seconds. This spectacular run not only earned him the gold medal at the meet but also allowed him to surpass the Athletics Federation of India's stringent 13.39-second qualification mark for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

When & Where

The event took place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Guru Nanak Stadium located in Ludhiana, Punjab. The stadium was hosting the ninth leg of the Indian Athletics Series, which was strategically designated as the final domestic qualification window for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Who Is Involved

Tejas Shirse: The 24-year-old sprint hurdler from Maharashtra who set the new national record.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI): The national governing body that established the 13.39-second qualification benchmark and organized the trials.
Reliance Foundation: The sports development initiative that supports Shirse's training and rehabilitation.
James Hillier: The Athletics Director at Reliance Foundation and Shirse's primary coach.
Krishik M & Madhvendra Singh: The athletes who finished second and third, respectively, in the same race.

How It Works

1. Athletes participate in domestic track-and-field circuits under officially regulated conditions, including precise wind-gauge monitoring (Shirse's race recorded a +1.6 m/s wind speed).
2. The Athletics Federation of India formulates qualification standards based on global competitiveness—in this case, 13.39 seconds for the CWG.
3. Athletes must sprint 110 metres while flawlessly clearing ten evenly spaced hurdles to record a time below the benchmark.
4. Achieving the standard automatically enters the athlete into the final selection pool, with the ultimate squad confirmation resting on the AFI selection committee.

Why It Matters

Athletic Diversification: India is traditionally known for middle-distance running and throwing events; this record highlights the nation's rising potential in highly technical sprint hurdle events.
Global Competitiveness: Clocking the sixth-fastest time in Asia (13.27s) positions an Indian athlete favorably for future continental championships.
Exam Relevance: Questions on recent national sports records, qualification timings, and key athletes are a staple in the General Awareness sections of SSC, Banking, and State PSC examinations.

Historical Background

2014: Siddharth Thingalaya represented India in the men's 110m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games, marking the last major appearance by an Indian in this specific event at the CWG.
2023: Tejas Shirse made headlines by becoming only the second Indian ever to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in the men's 110m hurdles.
2024: Shirse set the previous national benchmark by clocking 13.41 seconds at an athletics meet in Finland.

Previous Related Events

February 2024: Tejas Shirse established his dominance indoors by setting the national record for the 60m hurdles with a timing of 7.64 seconds.
May 2026: At the Federation Cup in Ranchi, Shirse won the gold medal with a time of 13.50 seconds, missing the CWG qualification mark by just 0.11 seconds.
June 2026: Responding to close margins at earlier events, the AFI announced the Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana as an additional selection trial, which Shirse capitalized on.

Static GK Connection

Commonwealth Games (CWG): An international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. Qualifying for this event is a major metric for tracking national sporting progress.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI): The apex national sports federation responsible for managing athletics in India, affiliated with World Athletics and the Indian Olympic Association.

India & World Comparison

Shirse's record-breaking 13.27 seconds ranks him sixth in the Asian continental charts for the 2026 season. While global leaders like Jamaica and the USA frequently clock sub-13-second times in this event, Shirse's rapid improvement narrows the gap, making India a competitive force at the Commonwealth and Asian levels.

Future Impact

July 2026 Commonwealth Games: Shirse will travel to Glasgow, Scotland, to compete against elite hurdlers, potentially becoming the first Indian in over a decade to reach the finals in this event.
Inter-State Athletics Championships: He is scheduled to participate in the upcoming championships in Bhubaneswar to maintain peak competitive form.
Asian and Olympic Prospects: Consistently running sub-13.30 times significantly boosts his prospects for podium finishes at the next Asian Games and improves his global ranking for future Olympic qualification cycles.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Tejas Shirse broke the men's 110m hurdles national record on June 13, 2026.
The new national record stands at a spectacular 13.27 seconds.
He broke his own previous national record of 13.41 seconds, set in Finland in 2024.
The event took place at Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab.
The tournament was the ninth leg of the Indian Athletics Series 2026.
Shirse breached the AFI's strict CWG qualification benchmark of 13.39 seconds.
He is officially qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
His timing is currently the sixth-fastest among all Asian athletes this season.
He represents the Reliance Foundation and is coached by James Hillier.
Krishik M finished second in the race with a timing of 13.55 seconds.
Shirse also holds the 60m hurdles indoor national record at 7.64 seconds.
He previously won gold at the Federation Cup in Ranchi (May 2026) with 13.50s.
The Ludhiana meet was designated by the AFI as a secondary selection trial.
He could be the first Indian male CWG hurdler since Siddharth Thingalaya in 2014.
This achievement underscores India's rising capabilities in technical track disciplines.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Athletics Federation of India (AFI)

Definition: The AFI is the apex national governing body responsible for the administration, management, and promotion of track-and-field athletics in India.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: It is legally registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, as a non-profit sports organization.
Scientific / Economic Principle: The AFI enforces international standards for electronic timing, wind-gauge verification, and anti-doping protocols to ratify official records.
How it connects to this event: The AFI organized the Indian Athletics Series in Ludhiana and established the 13.39-second qualification benchmark that Tejas Shirse surpassed.
Origin & History: It was established in 1946 at the initiative of Prof. G.D. Sondhi and Maharaja Yadvindra Singh to formally organize Indian athletics.
Key milestone 1: In 1946, it was founded originally as the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI).
Key milestone 2: In 2018, under AFI's purview, Hima Das became the first Indian track athlete to win gold at the World U20 Championships.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: Collaborates extensively with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India.
Nodal Ministry / Body: Operates under the overarching guidance of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
India-specific relevance: It possesses the exclusive authority to select and field Indian athletic contingents for the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Global comparison: The AFI operates in strict accordance with the rules and affiliations of 'World Athletics', the global governing body for the sport.
Data point: The AFI successfully conducts and manages over 30 national-level track and field competitions across various age groups annually.
Common exam angle: SSC and PSC exams frequently test candidates on the AFI's role, its headquarters (New Delhi), and the specific qualification benchmarks it sets for major tournaments.
Easy memory hook: AFI ensures India's Athletes Fly Internationally by managing everything from tracks to trial timings since 1946.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the new national record time set by Tejas Shirse in the men's 110m hurdles? [Easy]

A) 13.39 seconds

B) 13.41 seconds

C) 13.27 seconds

D) 13.50 seconds

Answer: C

Explanation: Tejas Shirse set a new national record by clocking 13.27 seconds, breaking his previous record of 13.41 seconds.

Q2. Tejas Shirse achieved his record-breaking performance at which stadium? [Easy]

A) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

B) Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana

C) Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

D) Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

Answer: B

Explanation: The ninth leg of the Indian Athletics Series 2026 took place at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab.

Q3. What was the exact qualification mark set by the Athletics Federation of India for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in the men's 110m hurdles? [Moderate]

A) 13.27 seconds

B) 13.30 seconds

C) 13.39 seconds

D) 13.41 seconds

Answer: C

Explanation: The AFI set a strict qualification benchmark of 13.39 seconds, which Shirse successfully breached.

Q4. Prior to Tejas Shirse's anticipated participation, who was the last Indian male hurdler to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games in 2014? [Moderate]

A) Madhvendra Singh

B) Krishik M

C) Siddharth Thingalaya

D) Avinash Sable

Answer: C

Explanation: Siddharth Thingalaya represented India in the men's 110m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games over a decade ago in 2014.

Q5. Shirse's timing of 13.27 seconds earned him which rank among Asian athletes for the current season? [Moderate]

A) First

B) Third

C) Sixth

D) Tenth

Answer: C

Explanation: His record-breaking sprint of 13.27 seconds ranks as the sixth-fastest time recorded across Asia this season.

Q6. Which organization is officially responsible for setting the qualification standards for Indian athletes competing in international track-and-field events? [Tricky]

A) Sports Authority of India (SAI)

B) Athletics Federation of India (AFI)

C) Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

D) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Answer: B

Explanation: While SAI and the Ministry provide funding and infrastructure, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) sets the technical qualification standards and conducts the trials.

Q7. Tejas Shirse also holds the current indoor national record for which of the following track events? [Tricky]

A) 60m Sprint

B) 60m Hurdles

C) 400m Hurdles

D) 3000m Steeplechase

Answer: B

Explanation: Apart from the 110m hurdles, Shirse holds the indoor national record for the 60m hurdles with a timing of 7.64 seconds.

Q8. Tejas Shirse won the gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the Federation Cup in Ranchi last month, but missed the CWG qualification mark. What was his timing at that event? [Tricky]

A) 13.27 seconds

B) 13.39 seconds

C) 13.41 seconds

D) 13.50 seconds

Answer: D

Explanation: At the Federation Cup in May 2026, Shirse clocked 13.50 seconds, which won him gold but fell short of the 13.39-second CWG qualification mark.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

With reference to recent sporting achievements, Tejas Shirse is prominently associated with which of the following events?

A) Men's Javelin Throw

B) Men's 3000m Steeplechase

C) Men's 110m Hurdles

D) Men's Triple Jump

Answer: C

Explanation: Tejas Shirse is a sprint hurdler who recently set the national record in the men's 110m hurdles.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding Indian athlete Tejas Shirse:

1. He recently broke the national record in the men's 110m hurdles by clocking 13.27 seconds.
2. His recent performance secured his qualification for the 2026 Asian Games.
3. He currently holds the Indian indoor national record for the 60m hurdles.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct (he clocked 13.27s). Statement 2 is incorrect because the qualification standard he breached was specifically for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, not the Asian Games. Statement 3 is correct (he holds the 60m hurdles indoor record at 7.64s).

PYQ 3:

Match the following records/benchmarks related to Indian track and field with their corresponding timings:

List I (Record / Benchmark)

1. Current Men's 110m Hurdles National Record
2. AFI Qualification Mark for 2026 CWG
3. Previous Men's 110m Hurdles National Record

List II (Timing)

A. 13.39 seconds
B. 13.41 seconds
C. 13.27 seconds

Select the correct code from below:

A) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B

B) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

C) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A

D) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C

Answer: A

Explanation: The current national record is 13.27s (1-C), the AFI CWG qualification mark is 13.39s (2-A), and his previous national record was 13.41s (3-B).

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of Tejas Shirse's recent national record in the context of India's track-and-field development.

Tejas Shirse’s recent national record of 13.27 seconds in the men's 110m hurdles represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian track-and-field athletics. Historically, India’s global athletic successes have been concentrated in throwing events, such as javelin, or middle-distance running. Success in a highly technical and explosive event like sprint hurdling indicates a broadening of India's sporting capabilities.

By shattering his previous record of 13.41 seconds and comfortably breaching the Athletics Federation of India's 13.39-second Commonwealth Games qualification mark, Shirse has proven that Indian athletes can achieve world-class timings under intense pressure. Furthermore, establishing the sixth-fastest Asian timing this season places India competitively on the continental stage. This achievement not only paves the way for India's first male hurdler representation at the CWG since 2014 but also inspires grassroots investment in diverse, highly specialized technical sports infrastructure across the country.

Question 2 (250 words): India's recent successes in athletics suggest a shift from a unidisciplinary to a multi-disciplinary sports powerhouse. Evaluate this statement in light of recent performances in throwing and hurdle events.

India’s athletic trajectory has undergone a profound transformation over the last decade, evolving from a nation reliant on sporadic successes to an emerging multi-disciplinary sports powerhouse. Traditionally, international medals were heavily concentrated in specific disciplines like shooting, wrestling, and recently, the men's javelin throw. However, the recent achievements across diverse track-and-field events indicate structural growth.

The national record set by Tejas Shirse in the men's 110m hurdles serves as a prime example of this evolution. By clocking 13.27 seconds to breach the Athletics Federation of India's stringent 13.39-second qualification mark for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Shirse demonstrated elite technical proficiency. Sprint hurdles require a complex synthesis of explosive speed, precise biomechanics, and rhythmic agility—disciplines where Indian athletes previously struggled to meet global benchmarks. Shirse’s timing, which ranks as the sixth-fastest in Asia this season, highlights the success of specialized domestic training programs and corporate support systems, such as the Reliance Foundation.

This diversification is further supported by historical context; if selected, Shirse will be the first Indian male hurdler at the CWG since Siddharth Thingalaya in 2014. When combined with sustained dominance in javelin and rising prominence in steeplechase, it is evident that Indian athletics is maturing. Moving forward, maintaining this multi-disciplinary momentum will require sustained grassroots scouting, international exposure, and the continued integration of sports science to ensure athletes peak consistently during global quadrennial events.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students often confuse Tejas Shirse's previous record with the AFI qualification mark. The correct fact is that his previous record was 13.41 seconds, while the AFI qualification mark he had to beat was 13.39 seconds.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that this performance secured his Olympic qualification. The reality is that this specific 13.27-second timing secured his qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, not the Olympics.
Trap 3: Many students miss the specific event when answering questions on this topic. Always remember that Tejas Shirse competes in the 110m hurdles outdoors, whereas his 7.64-second record is strictly for the 60m hurdles indoors.

🧭 Exam Tip

For Prelims, examiners will heavily target the exact timings (13.27s vs 13.39s), the specific event (110m hurdles), and the location (Ludhiana). For Mains, focus on using Shirse's achievement as a data point to argue for India's diversification in technical athletics beyond just the javelin throw. If this appears in an Interview, expect questions on the role of private foundations (like Reliance Foundation) in nurturing niche sports talent compared to the government's Khelo India initiative. A high-probability question for upcoming SSC exams will directly ask for the current national record holder of the men's 110m hurdles.

Tejas Shirse Shatters National Record in 110m Hurdles, Qualifies for CWG 2026

What Happened

When & Where

Who Is Involved

Tejas Shirse: The 24-year-old sprint hurdler from Maharashtra who set the new national record.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI): The national governing body that established the 13.39-second qualification benchmark and organized the trials.
Reliance Foundation: The sports development initiative that supports Shirse's training and rehabilitation.
James Hillier: The Athletics Director at Reliance Foundation and Shirse's primary coach.
Krishik M & Madhvendra Singh: The athletes who finished second and third, respectively, in the same race.

How It Works

Why It Matters

Athletic Diversification: India is traditionally known for middle-distance running and throwing events; this record highlights the nation's rising potential in highly technical sprint hurdle events.
Global Competitiveness: Clocking the sixth-fastest time in Asia (13.27s) positions an Indian athlete favorably for future continental championships.
Exam Relevance: Questions on recent national sports records, qualification timings, and key athletes are a staple in the General Awareness sections of SSC, Banking, and State PSC examinations.

Historical Background

2014: Siddharth Thingalaya represented India in the men's 110m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games, marking the last major appearance by an Indian in this specific event at the CWG.
2023: Tejas Shirse made headlines by becoming only the second Indian ever to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in the men's 110m hurdles.
2024: Shirse set the previous national benchmark by clocking 13.41 seconds at an athletics meet in Finland.

Previous Related Events

February 2024: Tejas Shirse established his dominance indoors by setting the national record for the 60m hurdles with a timing of 7.64 seconds.
May 2026: At the Federation Cup in Ranchi, Shirse won the gold medal with a time of 13.50 seconds, missing the CWG qualification mark by just 0.11 seconds.
June 2026: Responding to close margins at earlier events, the AFI announced the Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana as an additional selection trial, which Shirse capitalized on.

Static GK Connection

Commonwealth Games (CWG): An international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. Qualifying for this event is a major metric for tracking national sporting progress.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI): The apex national sports federation responsible for managing athletics in India, affiliated with World Athletics and the Indian Olympic Association.

India & World Comparison

Future Impact

July 2026 Commonwealth Games: Shirse will travel to Glasgow, Scotland, to compete against elite hurdlers, potentially becoming the first Indian in over a decade to reach the finals in this event.
Inter-State Athletics Championships: He is scheduled to participate in the upcoming championships in Bhubaneswar to maintain peak competitive form.
Asian and Olympic Prospects: Consistently running sub-13.30 times significantly boosts his prospects for podium finishes at the next Asian Games and improves his global ranking for future Olympic qualification cycles.

🔑 Key Points for Revision

Tejas Shirse broke the men's 110m hurdles national record on June 13, 2026.
The new national record stands at a spectacular 13.27 seconds.
He broke his own previous national record of 13.41 seconds, set in Finland in 2024.
The event took place at Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab.
The tournament was the ninth leg of the Indian Athletics Series 2026.
Shirse breached the AFI's strict CWG qualification benchmark of 13.39 seconds.
He is officially qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
His timing is currently the sixth-fastest among all Asian athletes this season.
He represents the Reliance Foundation and is coached by James Hillier.
Krishik M finished second in the race with a timing of 13.55 seconds.
Shirse also holds the 60m hurdles indoor national record at 7.64 seconds.
He previously won gold at the Federation Cup in Ranchi (May 2026) with 13.50s.
The Ludhiana meet was designated by the AFI as a secondary selection trial.
He could be the first Indian male CWG hurdler since Siddharth Thingalaya in 2014.
This achievement underscores India's rising capabilities in technical track disciplines.

🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Athletics Federation of India (AFI)

Definition: The AFI is the apex national governing body responsible for the administration, management, and promotion of track-and-field athletics in India.
Constitutional / Legal Basis: It is legally registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, as a non-profit sports organization.
Scientific / Economic Principle: The AFI enforces international standards for electronic timing, wind-gauge verification, and anti-doping protocols to ratify official records.
How it connects to this event: The AFI organized the Indian Athletics Series in Ludhiana and established the 13.39-second qualification benchmark that Tejas Shirse surpassed.
Origin & History: It was established in 1946 at the initiative of Prof. G.D. Sondhi and Maharaja Yadvindra Singh to formally organize Indian athletics.
Key milestone 1: In 1946, it was founded originally as the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI).
Key milestone 2: In 2018, under AFI's purview, Hima Das became the first Indian track athlete to win gold at the World U20 Championships.
Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: Collaborates extensively with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India.
Nodal Ministry / Body: Operates under the overarching guidance of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
India-specific relevance: It possesses the exclusive authority to select and field Indian athletic contingents for the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Global comparison: The AFI operates in strict accordance with the rules and affiliations of 'World Athletics', the global governing body for the sport.
Data point: The AFI successfully conducts and manages over 30 national-level track and field competitions across various age groups annually.
Common exam angle: SSC and PSC exams frequently test candidates on the AFI's role, its headquarters (New Delhi), and the specific qualification benchmarks it sets for major tournaments.
Easy memory hook: AFI ensures India's Athletes Fly Internationally by managing everything from tracks to trial timings since 1946.

❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the new national record time set by Tejas Shirse in the men's 110m hurdles? [Easy]

A) 13.39 seconds

B) 13.41 seconds

C) 13.27 seconds

D) 13.50 seconds

Answer: C

Explanation: Tejas Shirse set a new national record by clocking 13.27 seconds, breaking his previous record of 13.41 seconds.

Q2. Tejas Shirse achieved his record-breaking performance at which stadium? [Easy]

A) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

B) Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana

C) Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

D) Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

Answer: B

Explanation: The ninth leg of the Indian Athletics Series 2026 took place at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab.

Q3. What was the exact qualification mark set by the Athletics Federation of India for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in the men's 110m hurdles? [Moderate]

A) 13.27 seconds

B) 13.30 seconds

C) 13.39 seconds

D) 13.41 seconds

Answer: C

Explanation: The AFI set a strict qualification benchmark of 13.39 seconds, which Shirse successfully breached.

Q4. Prior to Tejas Shirse's anticipated participation, who was the last Indian male hurdler to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games in 2014? [Moderate]

A) Madhvendra Singh

B) Krishik M

C) Siddharth Thingalaya

D) Avinash Sable

Answer: C

Explanation: Siddharth Thingalaya represented India in the men's 110m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games over a decade ago in 2014.

Q5. Shirse's timing of 13.27 seconds earned him which rank among Asian athletes for the current season? [Moderate]

A) First

B) Third

C) Sixth

D) Tenth

Answer: C

Explanation: His record-breaking sprint of 13.27 seconds ranks as the sixth-fastest time recorded across Asia this season.

Q6. Which organization is officially responsible for setting the qualification standards for Indian athletes competing in international track-and-field events? [Tricky]

A) Sports Authority of India (SAI)

B) Athletics Federation of India (AFI)

C) Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

D) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Answer: B

Explanation: While SAI and the Ministry provide funding and infrastructure, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) sets the technical qualification standards and conducts the trials.

Q7. Tejas Shirse also holds the current indoor national record for which of the following track events? [Tricky]

A) 60m Sprint

B) 60m Hurdles

C) 400m Hurdles

D) 3000m Steeplechase

Answer: B

Explanation: Apart from the 110m hurdles, Shirse holds the indoor national record for the 60m hurdles with a timing of 7.64 seconds.

Q8. Tejas Shirse won the gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the Federation Cup in Ranchi last month, but missed the CWG qualification mark. What was his timing at that event? [Tricky]

A) 13.27 seconds

B) 13.39 seconds

C) 13.41 seconds

D) 13.50 seconds

Answer: D

Explanation: At the Federation Cup in May 2026, Shirse clocked 13.50 seconds, which won him gold but fell short of the 13.39-second CWG qualification mark.

📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

With reference to recent sporting achievements, Tejas Shirse is prominently associated with which of the following events?

A) Men's Javelin Throw

B) Men's 3000m Steeplechase

C) Men's 110m Hurdles

D) Men's Triple Jump

Answer: C

Explanation: Tejas Shirse is a sprint hurdler who recently set the national record in the men's 110m hurdles.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding Indian athlete Tejas Shirse:

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

PYQ 3:

Match the following records/benchmarks related to Indian track and field with their corresponding timings:

List I (Record / Benchmark)

1. Current Men's 110m Hurdles National Record
2. AFI Qualification Mark for 2026 CWG
3. Previous Men's 110m Hurdles National Record

List II (Timing)

A. 13.39 seconds
B. 13.41 seconds
C. 13.27 seconds

Select the correct code from below:

A) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B

B) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

C) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A

D) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C

Answer: A

Explanation: The current national record is 13.27s (1-C), the AFI CWG qualification mark is 13.39s (2-A), and his previous national record was 13.41s (3-B).

✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of Tejas Shirse's recent national record in the context of India's track-and-field development.

⚠️ Examiner Trap

Trap 1: Students often confuse Tejas Shirse's previous record with the AFI qualification mark. The correct fact is that his previous record was 13.41 seconds, while the AFI qualification mark he had to beat was 13.39 seconds.
Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that this performance secured his Olympic qualification. The reality is that this specific 13.27-second timing secured his qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, not the Olympics.
Trap 3: Many students miss the specific event when answering questions on this topic. Always remember that Tejas Shirse competes in the 110m hurdles outdoors, whereas his 7.64-second record is strictly for the 60m hurdles indoors.