Rise of Esports in India: Officially recognized as a sport in India under Sports Ministry

New Delhi, Dec 28: In a significant development, the Government of India has officially recognised 'E-Sports' (Electronic Sports) as a part of Multi-sports events.

 

E-Sports will be taken care of by Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Meanwhile, 'Online Gaming' will be under MEITY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). President Draupadi Murmu confirmed the same through a release. From now on, eSports will be considered as part of multi-sport events.

 

 

 

Indian Esports Industry has been fighting for Esports not to be clubbed under the umbrella term "Gaming". The Industry has maintained that Esports is a competitive sport where esports athletes use their physical and mental abilities to compete in certain genres of video games in a virtual, electronic environment.

 

The rise of Esports in India after the users received 4G data at reasonable cost, which eventually allowed young players to follow their passion. Gradually, gamers from India are shocasing their skills on international platforms.

 

 

According to the Department of Publication from the Directorate of Printing, this change is added as the 370th Amendment to the Allocation of Business Rules of 1961 relating to online gaming and e-sports. This amendment will be added in Part II-Section 3-Sub-Section (ii) of the rules.

 

"With the latest announcement and India recently competing for medals at the inaugural Esports Asian Games, people are shaking off the misconceptions linked with esports as a passion or career option. The year 2023 beholds greater opportunities for esports and we are anticipating more favourable developments, only making it bigger. It surely has been a great year for Indian esports," Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) said.