PIB Summary - 22nd August 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025

Context and Rationale

• Shift in Digital Economy: Online gaming is rapidly growing in India, with projections estimating it could reach $8.6 billion by 2027.
• Three Dimensions of Gaming:
  • E-sports: These are constructive, competitive, and skill-based activities.
  • Online Social Games: These are casual, recreational, and educational in nature.
  • Online Money Games: These are exploitative and involve elements similar to gambling.
• Public Health Issues: The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified gaming disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), emphasizing issues like addiction, loss of control, and harmful persistence.
• Situation in India:
  • An estimated 45 crore people are negatively impacted by online money games, according to government estimates.
  • Financial losses exceeding ₹20,000 crore are attributed to addiction-driven gaming.
  • There has been a reported increase in suicides linked to debts incurred from money games.
• Legal Gap: While betting and gambling are prohibited under state laws and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), online gaming remains largely unregulated.

Why the Bill Was Needed

• Addiction and Debt Traps: Young and middle-class families are particularly vulnerable to addiction and the resulting financial traps.
• Mental Health and Suicides: There is a direct correlation between financial distress caused by online gaming and mental health issues, including suicides.
• Fraud and Money Laundering: Offshore gaming platforms are being used for laundering illegal money, raising concerns about fraud.
• National Security: Some online gaming platforms are misused for activities like terror financing and illegal messaging, posing a national security risk.
• Regulatory Vacuum: The absence of a consistent central law has created jurisdictional issues across different states regarding online gaming.
• Promotion of Healthy Alternatives: There is a need for a framework that promotes e-sports and constructive digital creativity as healthy alternatives.

Key Features of the Bill

• Applicability: The bill extends its reach to all of India and also targets offshore platforms offering services within the country. 
• Promotion and Recognition of E-sports: E-sports are recognized as a legitimate competitive sport. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is tasked with framing standards, organizing tournaments, establishing academies, and setting up tech hubs for e-sports. Additionally, there will be incentives for players and awareness campaigns to integrate e-sports into mainstream sports. 
• Promotion of Social and Educational Games: The government will have the authority to recognize, certify, and promote age-appropriate, educational, cultural, or skill-oriented games. There will also be an emphasis on creating safe platforms for distributing such content. 
• Prohibition of Online Money Games: The bill imposes a complete ban on games that involve financial stakes, whether based on chance, skill, or a combination of both. This ban extends to advertising, promotion, and financial transactions related to such games. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and banks will be prohibited from processing payments linked to these platforms. Additionally, the government will have the power to block access to these sites under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. 
• Establishment of an Online Gaming Authority: The bill calls for the creation of a regulatory body responsible for categorizing games, registering platforms, and addressing grievances. This authority will have the power to determine whether a game is a skill game, social game, or money game. It can also issue guidelines, codes of practice, and directions to ensure compliance. 
• Offences and Penalties: The bill outlines strict penalties for various offences related to online gaming. Offering or facilitating money games can lead to imprisonment of up to 3 years and fines of up to ₹1 crore. Advertising money games can result in up to 2 years of imprisonment and fines of up to ₹50 lakh. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties, with imprisonment of up to 5 years and fines of up to ₹2 crore. These offences are classified as cognizable and non-bailable. 
• Corporate and Institutional Liability: Companies and responsible officers can be held liable for offences under the bill. Independent or non-executive directors of companies may be exempt from liability if they can prove due diligence in preventing the offence. 
• Investigation and Enforcement: The central government is authorized to empower officers for search, seizure, and arrests without a warrant in connection with offences under the bill. Investigations will be conducted under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. 
• Rule-Making Powers: The central government will have the authority to frame rules for the promotion of e-sports, recognition of games, and the functioning of the Online Gaming Authority. 
• Linkages with Existing Legal Framework: The bill aligns with existing legal provisions, such as Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, which has been used to block over 1,500 betting and gambling sites since 2022. Online intermediaries are made accountable under the amended IT Rules, 2021. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, penalizes unlawful betting and cyber fraud. Offshore platforms are brought under the taxation net by the IGST Act, 2017. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, bans misleading advertisements, and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) can take action against celebrities promoting betting apps. Advisories from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) provide guidelines on safe gaming for parents and teachers. Cybercrime mechanisms, such as the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the helpline 1930, are also in place to address cybercrime related to online gaming. 

Expected Benefits

Societal:

• Protection of Families: The bill aims to protect youth and middle-class families from the dangers of addiction-driven debt caused by online gaming.
• Safer Digital Space: By eliminating predatory platforms, the bill seeks to create a safer digital environment for users.
• Mental Health Safeguard: The legislation is designed to prevent mental health issues and suicides that may arise from the stress and financial strain associated with online gaming addiction.

Economic:

• Boost to Creative Economy: The promotion of e-sports and educational gaming is expected to generate jobs, increase exports, and foster innovation within the creative economy.
• Global Competitiveness: India aims to position itself as a global hub for safe gaming technology and e-sports, enhancing its competitiveness on the world stage.

Policy and Governance:

• Closing Loopholes: The bill seeks to bring the digital domain under the same restrictions as physical gambling, closing existing loopholes.
• Global Leadership: By balancing innovation and social protection, India aims to set a global standard for responsible regulation in the online gaming sector.

Challenges in Implementation

• Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: Offshore betting servers may attempt to bypass restrictions using technologies like VPNs and cryptocurrencies.
• Enforcement Capacity: Effective implementation will require robust cyber-policing and technological monitoring capabilities.
• Balancing Innovation and Regulation: It is crucial to ensure that e-sports and social games do not become entangled in excessive regulatory red tape, allowing for their growth and development.
• State vs. Centre: Since gaming has traditionally been a "State subject," the central government may face pushback from states in legislating on this matter.
• Addiction Beyond Money Games: There is a risk that even non-money-based e-sports and social games could lead to overuse and addiction, necessitating careful monitoring.

Strategic Significance

• Digital Sovereignty: The bill reinforces India's control over its digital economy and online gaming sector.
• Youth Empowerment: E-sports are positioned as a viable career stream for the youth, empowering them with new opportunities.
• National Security: By addressing potential misuse of online platforms for activities like terror financing, the bill enhances national security.
• Social Justice: Vulnerable groups, including youth and lower- to middle-income families, are protected from the harms of online gaming addiction and exploitation.

Conclusion

•  The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 strikes a balance between protection and promotion. It aims to ban exploitative online money games while fostering safe, skill-based, and creative digital spaces. 
• The bill reflects India's commitment to a balanced digital policy model that prioritizes innovation alongside social responsibility. By strengthening India's position as a global leader in responsible gaming regulation.
• The long-term success of the bill will depend on effective enforcement, coordination among agencies, and international cooperation to combat offshore betting networks. 

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan (2025)

Background & Context

• Tribal Demography: Approximately 10.45 crore Scheduled Tribe population. (2011 Census), spread across 550+ districts in 30 States/UTs, often living in remote areas with governance gaps. 
• Persistent Issues: Last-mile delivery failures, lack of grassroots leadership, health challenges (e.g., sickle cell anaemia), and socio-economic exclusion. 
• Policy Continuity: Builds on recent tribal initiatives – PM JANMAN (2023), Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. 
• Vision: Aligned with Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (tribal pride year) and long-term Viksit Bharat@2047. 
• Guiding Philosophy: Sewa (Service), Sankalp (Resolve), Samarpan (Dedication) – reinforcing PM’s inclusive development motto: “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas.” 

Objectives of the Abhiyan

• Responsive Governance: Institutionalise people-centric, accountable governance at village/community level.
• Capacity-Building through Governance Labs: Multi-departmental Process Labs from State → District → Block → Village, training master trainers and frontline workers.
• Vision-Building: Co-create “1 Lakh Tribal Villages – Vision 2030” with communities + officials, focusing on local action plans, investments, and scheme convergence.
• Leadership Development: Build a network of 20 lakh tribal change leaders (Karmayogis) across India to sustain reforms.
• Inclusive Participation: Engage youth, SHGs, Anganwadi/ASHA workers, PRI members, tribal elders, and professionals.
• Scheme Saturation: Ensure every eligible tribal household/village avails all government benefits.

Structural Design of the Programme

Institutional Mechanisms

• Adi Sewa Kendras: One-stop village-level centres for service delivery. Activities: Adi Sewa Samay (fortnightly service/mentoring), Seva Hour (weekly grievance redressal), Seva Day (monthly service delivery drives). 
• Responsive Governance Groups: At District & Block levels to provide sustained mentorship and coordinate activities. 
• Civil Society Partnerships: NGOs, CSOs, and Sahyogis as field facilitators/mentors. 

Capacity-Building Model

• Governance Labs / Process Labs: Structured training hubs for master trainers. Curriculum Focus: Responsive governance, grievance redressal, participatory planning, social mobilisation, and convergence. 
• Cascade Model: Master Trainers → Frontline Workers → Community Volunteers → Villagers. 

Volunteer Ecosystem

• Adi Sahyogi: Professionals (teachers, doctors, skilled mentors). 
• Adi Saathi: SHG leaders, NRLM members, PRI representatives, tribal youth, elders. 
• Village Karmayogis: Trained grassroots leaders ensuring scheme delivery. 

Core Components

• Adi Sewa Kendra: Anchor of participatory governance at village level. Governance Labs: Workshops to co-create local solutions, multi-departmental integration. 
• Tribal Village Vision 2030: Participatory planning aligned with SDGs + national priorities. Community Leadership Training: Skill-building for youth, women, and traditional leaders. Wall Paintings & Participatory Exercises: Tools for community mobilisation and vision-building. Real-Time Documentation: Local innovations, feedback, success stories → fed upward to district/state for policy refinement. 

Expected Outcomes

• Governance: Institutionalised grassroots leadership model for tribals. Enhanced responsiveness and accountability of government at local level. Stronger last-mile delivery of schemes (health, education, livelihoods). 
• Community Development: Empowered cadre of 20 lakh tribal change leaders by 2030. Creation of Tribal Village Action Plans with convergence of multiple schemes. Reduction in governance gap between tribal and non-tribal areas. 
• Socio-Economic: Greater participation of tribals in decision-making. Increased digital & administrative literacy among tribal youth/women. Better utilisation of government funds and schemes. 
• National Vision: Tribal empowerment as central to Viksit Bharat@2047. Model for community-led development that balances tradition with modern governance. 

Linkages with Other Programmes

• PM JANMAN: Focused on the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). 
• National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: Addresses the critical health issue of sickle cell anaemia from 2023 to 2047. 
• Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Aims to improve the socio-economic indicators of tribal villages. 
• NRLM & SHG Ecosystem: Promotes women’s empowerment through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). 

Challenges in Implementation

• Geographical Accessibility: Remote tribal areas often face challenges due to poor connectivity and difficult terrain, making it hard to reach and implement the programme effectively. 
• Capacity Constraints: There is a need for sustained training and capacity-building efforts to ensure that local leaders and volunteers do not experience burnout and can continue to lead the initiatives effectively. 
• Cultural Sensitivity: The programme must be mindful of tribal traditions and practices. There is a risk that top-down models may clash with local customs and ways of life, leading to resistance or ineffective implementation. 
• Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term motivation of volunteers and continuous funding for Adi Sewa Kendras is crucial for the sustainability of the programme. Without ongoing support, these initiatives may struggle to maintain their activities. 
• Inter-departmental Convergence: The programme requires effective coordination and collaboration across various ministries and departments. Ensuring that all stakeholders work together seamlessly is essential for the success of the initiative. 
• Monitoring & Evaluation: There is a need for robust real-time monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress and outcomes in the targeted 1 lakh villages. Without effective monitoring, it will be challenging to assess the impact and make necessary adjustments. 

Strategic Significance

• Governance Innovation: This initiative represents the first systematic attempt to train grassroots leaders at a national scale, introducing a new model of governance.
• Empowerment of Marginalised Communities: By institutionalising tribal voices in development planning, the programme empowers marginalised communities to have a say in their own development.
• Responsive Governance Model: The model developed could be replicated for other vulnerable communities such as Dalits and minorities, showcasing its versatility and effectiveness.
• Nation-Building: The programme ensures that tribal communities are active partners in the nation-building process towards India@2047, rather than passive beneficiaries, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Conclusion

•  It shifts the focus from merely delivering schemes to tribals to developing alongside them, fostering a collaborative approach. 
•  By training 20 lakh tribal leaders, the programme aims to build institutional capacity within communities, enabling them to manage their own development. 
•  If implemented effectively, it has the potential to reduce exclusion, strengthen grassroots democracy, and position India as a global leader in participatory tribal governance models.