Draft policy paves way for eSports' pan-Indian play, gaming reforms

It will, however, take a lot more than formal recognition from the government or sponsors to bring e-sports to the grassroots, according to experts and industry players

The government’s legislative efforts to promote eSports and social gaming has gathered momentum with the release of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025.

 

Under the draft rules, for which the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has invited stakeholder comments until October 31, eSports will be regulated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This is aimed at giving eSports formal recognition as a government-identified sport, thereby lending credibility to players and sports associations, a senior government official said.

 

“What happens now is that once the stakeholder inputs are received, eSports can start its journey