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Why 2026 could be the year Indian esports grows up
MUMBAI: If 2025 was about being taken seriously, 2026 is about getting serious work done. Indian esports is entering its most consequential year yet, with regulation, competition and capital finally moving in sync.
At the centre of the reset is the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), now moving from statute to street level. Its arrival marks a decisive turn away from ad-hoc growth towards formal systems: clearer governance, defined athlete pathways and rising commercial confidence. The debate has moved on from whether esports belongs. The question now is how fast it can scale.
The most visible proof point looms overseas. Esports will return as a medal event at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, placing competitive gaming once again inside a fully recognised multi-sport arena. For Indian players, it is more than a shot at medals. It is institutional legitimacy, reinforced on a continental stage. Beyond Japan, global platforms such as the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup are also expected to see stronger Indian participation, reflecting deeper talent pools and better preparation.
That global push is being built on firmer domestic ground. Esports’ inclusion as a demonstration event at the Khelo India Youth Games last year signalled clear government intent. With PROGA now in effect, 2026 is expected to accelerate state-level adoption, grassroots circuits and structured pipelines through schools, colleges and youth leagues.
Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director at NODWIN Gaming, says the shift ahead is structural rather than spectacular. “For Indian esports to truly level up in 2026, the focus has to move from being event-led to ecosystem-led,” he says. He points to the need for consistent regional and state competitions feeding national leagues, widening the talent funnel beyond a handful of urban centres. India, he adds, must also move past its dependence on one or two titles. While BGMI and Free Fire remain anchors, long-term growth will demand deliberate ecosystems across multiple games, including India-relevant, Indian-published titles built for esports from day one.
The business model is evolving in parallel. Rathee highlights revenue sharing across publishers, organisers, teams and creators, spanning media rights, in-game activations, ticketing and merchandise. From a balance-sheet perspective, NODWIN Gaming is targeting growth of 15 to 40 per cent through a mix of organic expansion and selective inorganic bets.
Talent development sits at the heart of the next phase. Scale has never been India’s problem; sustainability has. Animesh Agarwal, co-founder and chief executive officer at S8UL Esports, sees early identification and long-term support as the real differentiators. “India already has the passion and the numbers,” he says. “What will set us apart globally is how early we spot talent and how well we back players once they enter the system.” The Asian Games, he adds, will sharpen the focus on infrastructure, training depth and athlete mentorship.
Brands, too, are recalibrating. Regulatory clarity has shifted esports from experimental spend to strategic platform. FMCG, automotive, BFSI and ed-tech players are expected to deepen engagement through creator-led IPs, campus programmes and community-first activations. The emphasis is moving from flashes of visibility to sustained trust.
Underpinning it all is a maturing gamer base. Hardware adoption is rising fast beyond the metros, driven by affordable gaming PCs, AI-powered peripherals and cloud gaming. Vishal Parekh, chief operating officer at CyberPowerPC India, says buying behaviour has changed fundamentally. “A PC is no longer a one-time purchase. It’s a performance ecosystem that evolves over time,” he notes, pointing to growth in competitive multiplayer, mid-core PC titles and creator-driven formats.
Monetisation is following suit. Sagar Nair, head of incubation at LVL Zero, expects deeper engagement with long-term value systems such as battle passes, cosmetic progression and subscriptions. An older cohort of gamers, raised on games and now with disposable income, is reshaping spending patterns. “Creators and communities will increasingly drive discovery, retention and monetisation,” he says, as LVL Zero prepares to launch its first cohort of high-potential teams.
Taken together, 2026 looks less like a breakout year and more like a convergence. Regulation, global recognition, grassroots depth, brand belief and consumer maturity are finally aligned. Indian esports is no longer chasing validation. It is building endurance — and preparing to play the long game.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
