Is PUBG Mobile (BGMI) Banned in India?

The ban and return of PUBG Mobile is one of India’s biggest gaming controversies. Surprisingly, it raised concerns about national security, data privacy, and the growing influence of online games on the youth. Let’s backtrack on its history and discuss what caused the PUBG Mobile Ban in India and what the present situation looks like.

Overview of PUBG Mobile Ban in India

In September 2020, PUBGM was banned in India with other Chinese apps as a part of one of the largest game bans in Indian history. The massively popular battle royale video game was challenged by the Indian authorities in several aspects, especially regarding national security and data privacy.

The original ban hit the millions of Indian players who had spent their time and money on the game. India at the time was the second largest market of PUBGM and thus made a significant impact on the gaming industry at large.

PUBG Mobile Ban Timeline in India & Relaunch

PUBG Mobile in India witnessed unparalleled success in its prior years and then had to deal with the regulatory issues. Upon release, the game easily swept Indian mobile gamers and achieved colossal popularity. Then it rose to become a cultural phenomenon, attracting players of all ages and demographics.

The game was originally published in India by Tencent Games via normal international channels. But eventually, this became an issue when geopolitical tensions rose between India and China in 2020.

It created a strong esports environment in India, prior to the ban. There were professional tournaments, sponsored teams, and players who established their careers as content creators based around the game. The abrupt ban not only interrupted casual gaming but also entire businesses.

September 2, 2020 - The Initial Ban

On the 2nd of September, 2020, PUBGM was banned in India along with 117 other Chinese apps in the wake of escalating border tensions between India and China. Such a bold move by the government of India sparked a wave of panic among PUBGM’s players. What’s more, it was the start of a lengthy legal and regulatory process.

The ban order was issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, which invoked the issue of national security and data privacy as the reason behind the ban. This ban was supported by Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, under which the government is permitted to block access to information in light of threats challenging India’s sovereignty and integrity.

The direct effect was drastic. Millions of Indian gamers were denied entry to their accounts, game progress, and in-game purchases in just over a night. Content creators, professional esports players, and tournament organizers were left questioning their career paths and investments in the PUBG Mobile ecosystem.

May 2021 - Krafton Announces BGMI’s Development

In May 2021, the South Korean developer Krafton Inc. revealed that they were developing a localized version specific to the Indian market. This revelation was made after months of discussions among Indian officials after devising a strategy to reduce legal risks.

Krafton decided to launch BGMI as a separate app. It came with better data protection, local content, and full compliance with Indian laws. The company has devoted considerable resources to establishing local infrastructure and partnerships with the aim of satisfying the needs of the government.

The development process involved a lot of consultation between the Indian legal experts, cybersecurity experts, and the government to make sure the modified version would be able to comply with all the regulatory parameters. As well as not to destroy the overall gaming experience that had been the hallmark of PUBG Mobile.

July 2022 - The Temporary Removal & Review

PUBGM underwent a second ban along with India’s version (BGMI) on 28 July 2022, by the Indian government, creating another significant disruption for players and the gaming industry. Many were caught off guard since BGMI had operated fairly well for over a year.

The temporary ban was explained by persistent doubts about data safety and adherence to local legislation. Google and Apple both removed the BGMI also known as Battlegrounds Mobile India in response to a government order on Thursday.

At this time, Krafton was collaborating tirelessly with Indian officials on resolving any outstanding issues and taking more security precautions. The firm was very open with its users, keeping them up to date about the review process.

May 26, 2023 - BGMI’s Official Relaunch

In a notice published by Krafton Inc., the ban was lifted on May 19, 2023, following a nearly three-year regulation process. This comes after PUBGM was banned in India, where the Indian government imposed a 10-month ban on the game due to national security reasons.

However, the relaunch was a complete regulatory solution. It featured a number of new features and protections meant to reduce its earlier concerns. To follow the rules of the Indian government, Krafton has stricter data localization measures, parental controls, and improved content moderation systems.

BGMI servers were relaunched on the 29th of May 2023, and users dropped back onto the battlefields again, leading to a huge spike in downloads and usage. Its comeback was met with a warm welcome from its Indian player base, social media platforms, and the gaming community as a whole.

There was a massive surge of interest in BGMI as the application saw more than 10 million downloads even on its launch day, proving the players’ unending support.

To better understand the key developments around the BGMI ban and relaunch, here’s a timeline summarizing the most critical dates and regulatory milestones.

Full Timeline Table

Current Status Overview & Indian Update

As of 2025, BGMI has been sailing smoothly and has remained active in India since its relaunch, operating with increased regulatory and security compliance.

The current BGMI features various India-focused features and changes that aim to take into account cultural sensitivities and regulatory demands. These include altered graphics, added parental control, and the localization of content that appeals to Indian gamers.

Krafton has been able to create a permanent presence in India due to the introduction of local offices, customer support staff, collaborators, and relations with Indian companies. This infrastructure adheres to current policies with upcoming regulations and offers aiming to improve the game’s service.

Why the Ban Occurred & How It was Fixed

User data privacy played a significant role when PUBGM was banned in India. The Indian government specifically raised some concerns about the data collection policies, the location of the servers, and the security risks.

Other reasons included tensions with China, concerns about gaming addiction, and mature content in the game. It was because of these issues that the government had to step in and question the game’s integrity.

Intensive negotiations, technical implementations, and policy changes were undertaken in the process of resolving the problems. Krafton made big investments in data localization, formed new relations with Indian companies, and ensured high-level security to meet the regulatory standards.

An Overview of the Government’s Privacy Concerns

There were certain privacy issues brought out by Indian authorities that had to be resolved before BGMI could legally operate in India. Storage repositories of the data, protocols of encryption, and the handling of the user’s data were the main points of concern.

The government insisted on total openness of data handling procedures, and Krafton had to build stricter data localization practices. Any data belonging to players would have to be kept inside India; a basic requirement from the country’s privacy guidelines.

The government also wanted stronger tools to make sure content rules and age-appropriate gaming policies were followed. This included features like automatic content filters, time limits, and parental controls.

Krafton Servers are Located on Google Play and Apple App Store; Indian Servers

Krafton worked with India’s infrastructure by developing a separate set of Indian servers and collaborating with local technological firms. BGMI game servers have been available since the 29th of May 2023 and have built on the foundations established to cater to the Indian audience.

To provide data protection and ensure reliable delivery, different levels of redundancy, improved security, and real-time monitoring of the servers are integrated into the architecture. These technical advances played a significant role in the approval to bring the game back by the regulatory authorities.

Deployment of local servers not only resolved the issues of the government but also improved the experience of the Indian users. They made it by providing lower latency and strengthening connection quality. Krafton had a long-term intention to invest in the Indian market, as expressed in this particular technical investment.

Final Thoughts

The story of PUBG Mobile’s ban in India shows how government rules and global issues can impact a game’s accessibility and underlying purpose. BGMI’s return is proof that video game companies and government bodies can work in collaboration with the players to resolve larger issues.

The ban was a big moment for the Indian gaming community. It showed how serious the government is about privacy and national security. But it also showed that games can make a comeback if companies follow the rules and work with the right people. What happened with BGMI could work as a precedent for how other games are treated in the future, not just in India, but around the world.