The Nehru Trophy Boat Race continues to combine Alappuzha’s centuries-old water traditions with modern sporting organisation. The official 2026 race programme includes multiple categories and heats, culminating in the highly competitive chundan final.
The official race information lists competitions for Chundan, Veppu, Iruttukuthy, Churulan and Thekkanodi categories, reflecting the wide range of traditional racing boats associated with Kerala’s water-sport culture.
The event is also supported by a detailed organisational structure involving track officials, starters, judges, coordinators and emergency-service contacts. This helps manage a large sporting event while maintaining spectator safety and race administration.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for August 22 at Punnamada, Alappuzha, and is expected to once again turn the district’s backwaters into a major sporting venue.