On this day, September 2, 2020, PUBG Mobile faced one of the biggest moments in its history in India. The Indian Government officially banned the global version of PUBG Mobile along with 117 other mobile applications.
The decision completely changed the mobile gaming and esports scene in the country. PUBG Mobile was one of the biggest games in India at that time, with a huge player base and growing esports community.
Why Was PUBG Mobile Banned in India?
The Government blocked PUBG Mobile and other applications under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The decision came during increased geopolitical tensions between India and China. The Government raised concerns related to the country’s sovereignty, integrity, defence, security and cybersecurity.
It also stated that some applications were allegedly collecting and sending user data to servers outside India without proper authorization. This created concerns about the privacy and security of Indian users.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs had also recommended blocking these applications.
As a result, PUBG Mobile disappeared from the Indian market, leaving millions of players searching for answers about the game’s future.
BGMI Brought the PUBG Mobile Experience Back to India
The story did not end with the ban. PUBG Corporation later announced that it would no longer authorize the PUBG Mobile franchise to Tencent Games in India and started working on a version specifically for Indian players. That eventually became Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).
KRAFTON officially launched BGMI for Android in India on July 2, 2021, followed by its iOS release in August. The game brought back the familiar battle royale experience under a new identity made specifically for the Indian market.
BGMI later faced its own removal from Indian app stores in July 2022. However, the game returned in May 2023 after receiving approval to resume operations.
Since then, BGMI has once again grown into one of India’s biggest mobile esports titles, with major tournaments and a large competitive community.
Six years after the original decision, September 2, 2020 remains an important date in Indian gaming history. The PUBG Mobile ban ended one era, while the arrival of BGMI eventually started another.
