Handball in India
In India, Handball and Handball Federation of India was founded by Mr. Jagat Singh Lohan, a Jat from Rohtak who was an alumnus of YMCA College of Physical Education of Madras. Lohan was founder/father of Handball, Netball and Throwball games in India. His efforts in Germany during Munich Olympics helped in establishing Handball Federation of India. The Member States were Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Vidharbha and Jammu and Kashmir. He was also elected as first Secretary General of Handball Federation of India.
The first Senior Men's National Handball Championship was held at Sir Chhotu Ram Stadium, Rohtak in the year 1972. Haryana won the gold medal and Vidharbha got the silver medal.
Handball is a popular sport in India, played at local level in India but hasn't made it big in domestic level. India has yet to make an impact at international level and the World Cup.
Some of the famous players are, Sahil Narula, Navjot Singh and many more
Performance at Asian championships
Due to huge efforts of the HFI administrators, India started participating in the Asian Men's Handball Championship in 1979 and the Asian Women's Handball Championship in 1993. Though the teams were not able to win any medal at any championship, the participation in the events are bring experience and exposure for the players and coaching staff which more important.| Category | Best Rank | Total Teams | Year | Host |
| Senior Men | 5th | 5 | 1979 | |
| Senior Women | 6th | 7 | 2000 | |
| U-21 Men | 8th | 11 | 2006 | |
| U-20 Women | 5th | 7 | 2000 | |
| U-19 Men | 6th | 12 | 2018 | |
| U-18 Women | 5th | 5 | 2005 |
Performance at Asian Games
Indian men's handball team first participated in the Asian Games in 1982 when the event was hosted in New Delhi. Women's team debuted in the event 2006 held at Doha.| Event | Best Rank | Total Teams | Year | Host |
| Men | 8th | 8 | 1982 | |
| Women | 8th | 9 | 2014 |
Performance at South Asian Games
Indian men's handball team is the second best team of Asian Games after Pakistan. Men's team debuted in the event in 2010 and won silver medal losing to Pakistan in the final by 37–31. In the 2016 edition, India get their revenge when they hosted the event in Guwahati, narrowly defeating Pakistan by 32–31. In the 2019 edition Pakistan dethroned India beating them in Kathmandu by 30–29.Indian women's handball team is the best team of South Asia winning both edition of the South Asian Games in 2016 and 2019 defeating Bangladesh and hosts Nepal respectively.
| Event | Best Rank | Total Teams | Year | Host |
| Men | 1st | 6 | 2016 | |
| Women | 1st | 6 | 2019 |
Handball leaders
Since the foundation of handball and Handball Federation of India, many government officials and other renowned personalities were involved in it. They not only represented handball in the Indian Olympic Association but also represented Indian handball at international level. One of these is HFI President Dr. Roshan Lal Anand, the longest serving Director of National Institute of Sports. Anand was elected as Secretary General of Asian Handball Federation unopposed for continuously 13 years. He was also elected as IOA Secretary General.Dr. Surinder Mohan Bali, who is the longest serving HFI Secretary General, was elected as Member of AHF Marketing Commission. Bali become the first Indian who was awarded with IHF Badge of Merit in Gold for his contributions to the development of handball by the International Handball Federation during the 2009 IHF Congress held at Cairo. Bali is also a member of Executive Council of the Indian Olympic Association.
Dr. Anandeshwar Panday, who is current HFI Secretary General was elected as Member of AHF Commission of Organizing and Competition and Treasurer of Indian Olympic Association in 2017.
Following is the list of HFI administrators who also holds other prominent positions:
| Rank in HFI | Name of Official | Designation in other organisation |
| HFI President | H. L. Kapur | Air Vice Marshal of Indian Air Force |
| HFI President | Dr. Roshan Lal Anand | Secretary General of Asian Handball Federation Secretary General of Indian Olympic Association Director of National Institute of Sports |
| HFI Secretary General | Dr. Surinder Mohan Bali | Joint Secretary of Indian Olympic Association Member of AHF Marketing Commission |
| HFI President | Dr. Sarwan Singh Channy | IAS Officer |
| HFI President | Dr. M. Ramasubramani | IPS Officer |
| HFI Sr. Vice-President | N. Shyamananda Singh | IPS Officer |
| HFI Secretary General | Dr. Anandeshwar Panday | Member of AHF Commission of Organizing and Competition Treasurer of Indian Olympic Association Secretary General of South Asian Handball Federation |
| HFI Sr. Vice-President | Dr. Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu | Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha Minister of Planning and Development, Government of Bihar |
| HFI Vice-President | Er. Rooparam Dhandev | Member of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly |
| HFI Vice-President | Satpal Singh | Recipient of Padma Bhushan and Dronacharya Award |