In a landmark development for competitive gaming in India, esports has been included in the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 for the first time as a demonstration event.
The competitions, featuring popular titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball, will be held at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna on May 6 and 7.
This inclusion represents a significant milestone in the growing recognition of esports as a legitimate competitive discipline in India.
“The inclusion of esports in Khelo India Youth Games will help legitimize competitive gaming and create structured pathways for talented young players,” noted a spokesperson from the esports industry. “This platform gives young gamers an opportunity to represent their states in a prestigious national competition.”
Host state Bihar has shown particular interest in developing esports infrastructure, having organized the Bihar State Esports Open Championship and the Bihar Inter School and College Esports Championship over the past year. These initiatives have helped build a foundation for competitive gaming at the grassroots level in the state.
Several other states have also taken proactive measures to support and formalize esports programs. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland have been at the forefront of these efforts, implementing various initiatives to develop competitive gaming ecosystems within their regions.
The timing of esports’ inclusion in KIYG aligns with the discipline’s growing international recognition. Esports will be featured as an official medal sport at the 2026 Asian Games, following its successful debut as a demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games and as a medal event at the 2022 Asian Games. Additionally, the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is scheduled to commence in 2027, further highlighting the global acceptance of competitive gaming.