The Government of India has taken a significant step towards recognizing Esports as a mainstream sport by integrating it into the country's mainline sports disciplines. President Droupadi Murmu, exercising powers conferred by the Constitution, amended the rules governing Esports and instructed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Sports Ministry to include Esports as part of multi-sports events.

This move follows a growing demand for Esports inclusion in multi-discipline events since its demonstration at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. The President's notification designates the IT Ministry as the nodal agency for online gaming-related matters, while the Sports Ministry is tasked with incorporating Esports into its curriculum, energizing enthusiasts.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is also making strides in promoting Esports, with Singapore set to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in June. This marks a significant development in integrating virtual sports with the Olympic movement, fostering engagement with competitive gamers.

Indian Esports has already shown promise, with the DOTA 2 team securing bronze at the Commonwealth Esports Championship. With Esports making its debut at the upcoming Asian Games, the recognition by the Indian government is a welcome boost for the industry. Reacting to the news, Lokesh Suji, director of the Esports Federation of India, expressed optimism about the industry's future growth and the opportunities it brings for investment and infrastructure development.

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