JULY 04: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, marked a historic moment for Indian esports with her presence at the Grand Finals of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) 2025. Held at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention and Expo Centre, Dwarka, the three-day tournament from July 4–6 features 16 of India’s top BGMI professional teams vying for a prize pool of ₹4 crore.
Smt. Khadse’s participation in the inauguration ceremony reflects the Government of India’s growing support for competitive gaming as a recognized sporting discipline. She was accompanied by Mr. Vibhor Kukreti, Head of Government Affairs & CSR at Krafton India, along with key stakeholders from the esports and digital entertainment industries. During her visit, the Minister toured the high-tech venue, met with players, and reviewed the event’s logistics, including broadcast and streaming infrastructure.
In her remarks, Smt. Khadse emphasized the strong similarities between traditional sports and esports, citing discipline, focus, and teamwork as shared values. “Esports is empowering Indian youth to thrive in a digital-first world,” she stated. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are focused on developing the infrastructure and support systems needed to make India a global esports powerhouse.”
Esports received formal recognition from the Indian government in December 2022, when it was brought under the purview of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Further legitimizing the sector, the Ministry in February 2025 extended its athlete incentive schemes—including cash rewards and coaching support—to cover esports athletes, a move previously reserved for Olympic and Commonwealth medalists.
The evolving regulatory framework is now jointly managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, ensuring comprehensive governance across digital and sporting domains. This structure is vital as Indian players prepare to compete on global stages, including the Olympic Esports Games 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
BMPS 2025 represents a key milestone in India’s esports journey, serving as both a competitive arena and a celebration of the country’s rapidly growing digital sports community. It highlights the convergence of policy, industry, and youth culture in shaping the future of Indian esports.