India at the 1988 Winter Olympics

The Indian Olympic Association was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1927.^[7] However, by this time, they had already competed in three Summer Olympic Games, in 1900, 1920, and 1924. The nation made its first Winter Olympics appearance at the 1964 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria.^[a][3] This edition of the Games marked the nation's third appearance at the Winter Olympics and its return to the Games after the 1968 Games.^[8][9]

The Indian delegation consisted of three athletes.^[8][10] Kishor Rahtna Rai was the country's flag-bearer during the opening ceremony.^[11]

The Indian delegation consisted of three alpine skiers–Kishor Rahtna Rai, Gul Dev and Shailaja Kumar. Shailaja was the first Indian woman athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics.^[8][10]

Sport	Men	Women	Total
Alpine skiing	2	1	3
Total	2	1	3

Gul Dev and Rahtna Rai competed in the men's slalom event and Shailaja competed in the women's slalom event in alpine skiing. The Games marked the debut and only participation of the three athletes in the Olympics.^[8][10]

The events were held from 26 to 27 February 1988 at Nakiska.^[12][13] In the men's slalom event, Rahtna Rai finished 49th amongst the 109 competitors while Dev failed to finish.^[12][14] In the women's event, Shailaja finished 28th with a time of 2:53.91 amongst the 57 competitors.^[15]

Slalom