Page 7 - NIS English 16-31 May, 2026

Online Gaming Platforms to Store User Data in India

In August 2025, Parliament passed the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Act, 2025, with the
objective of protecting citizens from the growing threat of online money games and establishing a conducive
framework for e-sports and online social games. In furtherance of this initiative, the Central Government has
now notified the Gaming Promotion and Regulation Rules, 2026, which came into effect on May 1, 2026.

n A clear, transparent, and time-bound mechanism n Rule 17 stipulates that user data must be
will be established to definitively determine stored within India and securely retained for a
whether a specific online game constitutes an prescribed period.
'Online Money Game' (which is prohibited), an n The Authority shall make public, on its website or
'Online Social Game,' or an 'E-sport.' mobile application, a list—including
n An 'Online Gaming Authority' will be constituted names and details—of all online
to serve as the digital regulator for online social games classified as 'Money Games.'
games and e-sports. n Each gaming company shall
n Generally, an online game will not require establish a mechanism for
registration with the Authority; however, if addressing user grievances. If
the Central Government issues a notification a user is dissatisfied with the
mandating the registration of a specific game company's response, they may file
or category of games, such registration shall be a complaint with the Authority
mandatory. within 30 days.
n E-sports shall be required to undergo registration.
The Authority will register an e-sport,
provided that the game is
recognized under the National
Sports Governance Act, 2025.

3.39 Lakh Jobs Created Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
Through PLI Scheme for Becomes India’s 99th
Food Processing Ramsar Site

The government is allocating ₹10,900 crore towards On April 22, Union Minister for
the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) for the period Bhupender Yadav declared the Shekha
spanning from the financial year 2021-22 to the Jheel Bird Sanctuary, located in Aligarh,
current financial year, 2026-27. The objective of this Uttar Pradesh, as India’s 99th Ramsar
scheme is to foster the emergence of leading Indian site. With this designation, the number of
food manufacturing companies on a global scale such sites in Uttar Pradesh has risen to 12.
by incentivizing increased sales and brand The Union Minister stated that, under the
promotion. Under this scheme, as of February leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
2026, 165 applications—pertaining to 274 India’s campaign to revitalize its ecosystem—
project sites—have been approved, resulting in specifically its commitment to conserving
the disbursement of incentives totaling wetlands and the natural habitats of animals,
₹2,162.55 crore. These projects have particularly birds-has yet again received a thumbs
generated 3.39 lakh jobs. Furthermore, up from the global community. Shekha Jheel serves
food processing and preservation as a crucial stopover point along the Central Asian
capacity have witnessed an annual Flyway, providing a vital habitat during the winter
increase of 3.4 million season for migratory birds such as geese, painted
metric tonnes. storks, and various species of ducks.