India’s video gaming industry is calling for targeted Union Budget 2026 support following the 2025 Real-Money Gaming ban that created a regulatory reset and strategic inflection point. Industry leaders want “gaming carve-outs” within existing Startup India and Skill India schemes to transform India from a 500+ million gamer consumer market into a globally competitive game-creation economy producing original IP for international markets.
India Gaming Industry Budget Expectations
| Stakeholder | Key Budget Ask |
|---|---|
| GDAI (Game Developers) | Gaming carve-outs in Startup India/Skill India for prototype funding |
| Nazara Technologies | Tax incentives, IP creation support, esports/animation investments |
| BITKRAFT Ventures | Tax breaks for global gaming companies setting up India operations |
| Felicity Games | Production-focused policies over consumption, global publishing support |
| Market Projection | $8 billion by FY 2030 (triple current size, BITKRAFT Report 2025) |
From Consumer Market to Global Creator Economy
The RMG ban eliminated regulatory uncertainty, allowing the industry to pivot toward video game development and the broader AVGC-XR ecosystem. BITKRAFT‘s India Opportunity Report 2025 projects the gaming and interactive media sector tripling to $8 billion by FY 2030, positioning India to evolve from consumer market into globally competitive creator economy.
For game developers, GDAI’s “surgically targeted” approach advocates for dedicated gaming allocations within existing schemes rather than new greenfield projects. “By earmarking funds for prototype development and specialized ‘Creative Tech’ apprenticeships, the government can provide high-octane fuel for Indian studios to build world-class IP,” stated Sridhar Muppidi, GDAI Chairperson.
Leveraging Cultural Heritage for Global Gaming IP
Nazara Technologies’ Nitish Mittersain emphasized India’s unique opportunity to leverage “rich cultural heritage, mythology, and storytelling traditions to create globally successful gaming IPs.” The company operates Curve Games, Kiddopia, Animal Jam, Fusebox Games (Love Island, Big Brother), and World Cricket Championship—demonstrating India’s capability to produce international hits.
BITKRAFT Ventures’ Anuj Tandon wants “tax incentives for global video gaming companies setting up shop in India that will help upgrade our talent pool to be industry-ready to build games from India to the world,” positioning the country as a global hub exporting culture through interactive entertainment.
Production Over Consumption Focus
Felicity CEO Anurag Choudhary argues the opportunity lies in “building globally competitive games, original IP, and scalable publishing platforms that can reach international audiences” rather than just serving domestic consumers. With clearer regulatory frameworks post-RMG ban, the ecosystem can focus on product quality, retention, and sustainable monetization.
GDAI’s vision transforms India from the world’s largest game consumer into its most prolific creator, ensuring “Made in India games are played on every console and smartphone globally.” The organization supports 5,000 game startups and impacts 25,000+ students choosing gaming careers.
The industry seeks stable, predictable policy frameworks with investments in skilling, digital infrastructure, and focused esports/animation initiatives. With strong engineering, creative, and analytical talent paired with right infrastructure and publishing systems, India can emerge as a meaningful global gaming content producer competing with China, Japan, and South Korea.
