Rules & Regulations

Sovereign Sanctioning Authority

No state tournament, national championship, belt grading, or technical clinic may utilize the KALAWAR name, emblem, or rules without written sanction from the National Secretariat.

• •All sanctioned tournaments are issued an official KALAWAR Event Sanction Code (ESC).
• •Results from unsanctioned tournaments are null and void for national ranking points and Dan rankings.

Universal Member Registration

All participating athletes, coaches, technical officials, and club administrators must hold an active KALAWAR National Unique ID (K-UID) with verified credentials.

• •Annual membership must be renewed prior to event registration deadlines.
• •Possession of official KALAWAR Athlete Passport is mandatory at weigh-ins and accreditation.

Anti-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity

KALAWAR enforces a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, region, or physical background. All competitors are guaranteed equitable access to competition rings.

Standard Arena & Tatami Specifications

All official combat rings must utilize certified high-density EVA shock-absorbent mats with minimum 25mm to 40mm thickness, measuring 8m × 8m active zone plus 1m safety buffer.

Pranama & Salutation Protocol (Tatami Etiquette)

Every athlete and coach must perform the traditional standing bow (Pranama) upon entering and exiting the competition arena, before the referee, and towards the opponent.

• •Bowing before and after the bout is a mandatory expression of mutual respect; refusal to bow results in immediate disqualification.
• •Athletes must shake hands or touch gloves cordially when instructed by the Center Referee.

Official Uniform & Appearance Standards

Athletes must wear clean, tear-free official KALAWAR uniforms (White/Black Dogi or approved Federation Rashguard/Shorts) with the official national emblem on the left chest.

• •Fingernails and toenails must be cut short to prevent cuts and eye injuries.
• •Long hair must be secured neatly with non-metallic bands.
• •No jewelry, piercings, rings, necklaces, or metallic hairpins are permitted during competition.

Spirit of Ahimsa & Controlled Force

True martial mastery lies in control. Techniques must demonstrate maximum velocity and kinetic accuracy with controlled terminal impact appropriate to each division.

Official Weigh-In Protocol

Official weigh-ins take place 24 hours prior or the morning of the tournament on calibrated digital scales under supervision of the Chief Weigh-in Officer.

• •Athletes are weighed in standard undergarments or light uniform shorts.
• •Weight allowance is exactly 0.00 kg. Exceeding the upper weight limit of the entered category results in automatic disqualification or optional bump to higher category upon payment of transfer fee.
• •Athletes have 1 hour within the official weigh-in window to make their contracted weight.

Electronic Draws & Seeding

Brackets are generated using an automated randomized double-blind tournament draw algorithm.

• •The top 4 seeded athletes based on national ranking points are placed in opposing quadrants to ensure fair finals progression.
• •Athletes from the same academy or district are separated in early rounds wherever possible.

Official Match Timer & Stoppages

The bout clock starts on the referee's command 'Hajime' and pauses only when the referee calls 'Yame' or signals time to the timekeeper.

Victory Classifications

Match outcomes are officially categorized into: Knockout (KO), Technical Knockout (TKO), Points Decision (PTS), Referee Stopped Contest (RSC), Disqualification (DQ), or Walkover (WO).

Tatami Officiating Team Composition

Every official ring is staffed by a qualified 7-member technical officiating crew:

• •1 Center Referee (Master of the Tatami — manages safety, commands, warnings, and stops).
• •4 Corner Judges (Record points and boundary exits using electronic scoring tablets or colored flags).
• •1 Official Timekeeper & 1 Official Scorekeeper / Arbitrator.
• •1 Tatami Manager / Kansa (Oversees judge scoring compliance and reviews electronic logs).

Standard Japanese / Sanskrit Mat Commands

Referees utilize universal voice commands for seamless national and international officiating:

• •'Hajime' / 'Arambha' — Begin the round or match.
• •'Yame' / 'Virama' — Stop fighting immediately.
• •'Tsuzukete' — Continue combat without pause.
• •'Torimasen' — No point / strike not valid.
• •'Jogai' — Boundary exit violation.

Strict Neutrality & Conflict of Interest

A referee or judge shall not officiate any bout in which an athlete from their own academy, direct club, or immediate family is competing. Mandatory replacement takes effect immediately.

Official Attire for Technical Officials

All referees must wear the official KALAWAR technical uniform: Navy blue federation blazer, crisp white shirt, federation tie, grey trousers, and non-marking referee shoes.

Respect for Opponents & Officials

Athletes must treat competitors, referees, volunteers, and tournament staff with the utmost dignity. Gestures of anger, throwing headgear, or profanity result in instant Hansoku-Make.

Doping & Substance Prohibition

Competitors are strictly bound by the WADA / NADA Prohibited List. Random urine and blood sampling may be conducted at any national event without prior notice.

Digital & Social Media Decorum

Athletes must not post defamatory, threatening, or unsportsmanlike content targeting opponents, referees, or federation office bearers on digital platforms.

Punctuality & Ring Call Compliance

Athletes must report to the warm-up marshal within 3 calls (maximum 2 minutes from first announcement). Failure to present results in automatic Walkover (WO) forfeit.

Mandatory Coaching Accreditation

Only coaches holding a valid KALAWAR National Coach License (Level 1, Level 2, or Master Coach) wearing an official coach badge are permitted inside the corner zone.

Permissible Corner Staff Size

Maximum two individuals permitted in the corner: One Head Coach and One Assistant / Cutman. Both must remain seated in designated corner chairs during active rounds.

Corner Attire Requirements

Coaches must wear official academy tracksuits or formal attire with athletic closed-toe footwear. Jeans, slippers, shorts, or unbranded street clothing are strictly prohibited.

Permissible In-Bout Communication

Coaches may give tactical advice to their athlete during active rounds in an encouraging, sportsmanlike manner. Shouting insults at the referee or opponent triggers instant coach ejection.

Annual Affiliation & Certification

All academies must renew their institutional affiliation annually with the KALAWAR National Board, displaying their official Affiliation Certificate with unique QR validation.

Chief Instructor Qualifications

The Head Instructor of an affiliated academy must hold a minimum Black Belt 1st Dan credential certified or ratified by KALAWAR Sports & Martial Arts Federation of India.

Dojo Safety & Equipment Mandate

Affiliated dojos must maintain certified shock-absorbent flooring, accessible first-aid kits, working ice packs, emergency evacuation plans, and signed medical waivers for all students.

Belt Examination & Certification Protocol

Kyu (Color Belt) and Dan (Black Belt) examinations must follow the official KALAWAR Syllabus. Only official KALAWAR serialized belt certificates are recognized across India.

National Disciplinary Committee (NDC)

A standing 5-member judicial bench comprising senior martial arts masters and legal advisors responsible for hearing formal disciplinary charges.

Zero Tolerance for Age & Document Fraud

Falsification of birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, medical clearances, or belt ranks results in an immediate minimum 2-year national ban and revocation of all medals.

Sanctions Spectrum

Penalties range through: Written Warning, Monetary Fine (₹5,000 to ₹50,000), Temporary Suspension from National Events (6 to 24 Months), and Permanent Expulsion from the Federation.

Right to Fair Hearing

Any individual or club facing disciplinary proceedings is guaranteed the right to submit evidence, present witnesses, and receive a written verdict within 14 business days.

Mandatory Ringside Medical Team & Ambulance

No sanctioned tournament bout may commence without a licensed medical doctor, qualified sports paramedic, and fully equipped Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance on site.

Concussion & Head Trauma Protocol (SCAT-5)

Any athlete suffering a knockout (KO), loss of consciousness, or suspected concussion is immediately suspended from competition and placed under mandatory 30-day medical hiatus.

• •Athletes under concussion hiatus must obtain a certified neurologist clearance certificate before resuming full-contact sparring.
• •Second concussion within a 12-month period mandates a 90-day minimum medical suspension.

Pre-Competition Medical Screening

All athletes must undergo a rapid pre-fight health screening (blood pressure, pulse, pupillary reflex, and skin check) prior to stepping onto the Tatami.

Mandatory Protective Equipment Standards

All safety gear must carry the official KALAWAR approved seal. Referees will inspect mouthguards, groin guards, shin guards, and headgear prior to every bout.