India's freediving community is growing fast. From a handful of practitioners a decade ago to national records, AIDA affiliation, and a thriving Andaman scene — here is where Indian freediving stands today.
A Decade of Growth
Ten years ago, freediving in India was essentially invisible. A few adventurous scuba divers were quietly exploring breath-hold techniques, mostly self-taught, mostly outside any formal structure. There were no certification courses offered regularly, no national records being tracked, no governing body.
That has changed entirely.
Today India has certified AIDA instructors, a national governing body (FAI), athletes setting and breaking national records in multiple disciplines, and a growing pool of recreational freedivers who discovered the sport through yoga, spearfishing, or underwater photography.
The Andaman Effect
The Andaman Islands were the catalyst. Havelock Island, with its extraordinary visibility and warm water, became a natural laboratory for freediving. A handful of dive schools began offering basic freediving courses alongside their scuba operations, and freedivers visiting from Southeast Asia brought new techniques and culture with them.
National Records and AIDA Recognition
The Freediving Association of India was established to formalise what the community had already built organically. FAI's AIDA affiliation means Indian athletes can now compete internationally under an official national flag, and national records are verified against AIDA standards.
Current national record holders — Archana Thiagarajan for women, Bux Khurana for men in depth disciplines — represent the tip of a pyramid that is growing at its base.
Where It's Headed
The trajectory is clear. Freediving is growing in every major Indian city as yoga practitioners and swimmers discover that breath training transfers directly to the water. The next phase will likely involve dedicated freediving pools in urban centres, more frequent national competitions, and eventually Indian athletes qualifying for AIDA world championships in multiple disciplines.