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Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India's 100th chess Grandmaster on 10 November 2026, saying India now has one hundred Grandmasters, a milestone that reflects talent, hard work and chess's growing popularity among youth.
Why in news
- On 10 November 2026, the Prime Minister's Office reported that the Prime Minister congratulated Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India's 100th chess Grandmaster.
- The Prime Minister said India is now home to a hundred chess Grandmasters and called it an exceptional milestone.
- He said the achievement reflects the talent, dedication and hard work of players and the growing popularity of chess among youth.
Fact table
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | Anuj Shrivatri, India's 100th chess Grandmaster |
| What | India reaches 100 chess Grandmasters |
| When | Statement made on 10 November 2026 |
| Who congratulated | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Key number | 100 Grandmasters |
| Message | Young talent is emerging from across the country |
The milestone matters for sports current affairs because a round number of titled players is often asked as a fact in the Prelims, along with the name of the person who reached it.
Static link-back
- Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can earn; it is conferred by the international chess federation, FIDE.
- Sports achievements are covered under General Studies as current affairs on sports and national honours.
- Youth participation in sports links to national policy on youth development and fitness.
Uttar Pradesh angle
Sources do not name any Uttar Pradesh player, venue or state scheme linked to this milestone, so no state figure is claimed here. The connection to Uttar Pradesh is through the GS-V and GS-VI themes of state governance and youth development, where sports promotion is a standard topic. Aspirants should add a state example only after a state government announcement confirms one.
Likely confusions
- The 100th Grandmaster is not the 100th chess champion: it counts titled players, not tournament winners.
- The Grandmaster title is not the same as the national champion title: one is a lifetime title, the other is won in a championship.
- A Prime Minister's congratulation post is not a government award: it is a public statement of appreciation.
- Anuj Shrivatri is the 100th Grandmaster for India, not the 100th in the world.
Key Terms
- Grandmaster
- The highest title awarded to a chess player.
- FIDE
- The international body that governs chess.
- Milestone
- A significant point of progress, here the count of 100 Grandmasters.
UPPSC syllabus: GS-I
FAQs
Who is India's 100th chess Grandmaster?
Anuj Shrivatri.
Who congratulated him?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 10 November 2026.
Sources: PIB: PM congratulates Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India's 100th chess Grandmaster
Last verified: 2026-11-11
