Hon’ble Minister Shri Adv. Ashish Shelar Envisions India’s Esports Decade at FICCI FRAMES 2026

The Indian esports and gaming ecosystem stands at the threshold of a historic era of unprecedented expansion. This landmark transition took center stage at FICCI FRAMES 2026 during the high-powered panel discussion titled "India's Esports Decade: From Players to Global Powerhouse." At a pivotal time when competitive gaming represents a vibrant confluence of cutting-edge technology, youth culture, mainstream sports, and entertainment, the session brought together top policymakers, creative mentors, and prominent entrepreneurs.

Visionary Keynote by Hon’ble Minister Shri Ashish Shelar Ji

The prestigious gathering was graced by Shri Ashish Shelar Ji, Hon’ble Minister of Information & Technology and Minister of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, and President of the Esports Games Federation (ESGF). Serving as the Keynote Speaker, Ashish ji was warmly received with the highest distinction and respect by attendees, delegates, and industry dignitaries alike.

In a comprehensive and forward-looking address, Hon’ble Minister Shri Ashish Shelar ji underscored the strategic necessity of treating esports as a major pillar of India’s digital economy. Under his dynamic stewardship across both Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Ashish ji articulated a clear, multi-pronged roadmap designed to:

• Accelerate Talent Development: Cultivate structured pathways from grassroots amateur gaming to elite international competitive arenas.

• Strengthen Infrastructure & Ecosystem Support: Establish dedicated technology hubs and tournament environments to foster homegrown talent.

• Attract Institutional Investment: Encourage public-private partnerships that establish Maharashtra and India as the premier esports capital of the region.

As President of the Esports Games Federation (ESGF), Ashish ji emphasized that gaming is not merely leisure, but an innovative career avenue and a driving force in digital literacy, interactive media, and national pride on the global stage.

High-Level Dialogue on the Future of Indian Gaming

The panel discussion was moderated with distinction by Dr. Ashish S. Kulkarni, Chief Mentor at FICCI FRAMES, Founder of Punnaryug, Founding Director of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), and Core Member of the ESGF.

A panel of respected domain pioneers shared their operational insights on scaling the ecosystem:

• Nandan Jha, Founder, Esports Games Federation (ESGF)

• Gautam Virk, Co-founder, Nodwin Gaming

• Abhijeet Andhare, Founder, Trident Gaming

• Nipun Agarwal, Owner, Majhi Mumbai

The speakers engaged in an in-depth conversation exploring league commercialization, talent welfare, ethical competition, and the vital role of government policy in enabling sustainable long-term industry growth.

Strategic Milestone: IICT MoU at the BAF Awards

Marking a major concrete step forward during the proceedings, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially exchanged on the sidelines of the event at the BAF Awards with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), represented by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vishwas Deoskar. This partnership will directly support specialized curriculum design, incubation, and skill development to empower aspiring digital athletes and creative technicians.

Through the decisive leadership and ongoing support of Hon’ble Minister Shri Ashish Shelar ji, FICCI FRAMES 2026 made it resoundingly clear: India is rapidly advancing from a high-volume consumer base into an influential, world-class esports powerhouse.