'India Gaming Vision 2035' sets $100 billion target to make India a global gaming superpower

India’s gaming industry is preparing for a major transformation. The Gaming Developers Association of India (GDAI) has released its India Gaming Vision 2035, an ambitious blueprint to position the nation among the world’s top three gaming content exporters, alongside the United States and China.

According to the vision paper, the initiative targets $10 billion in annual gaming exports and $100 billion in total industry value by 2035, leveraging the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) 2025 as the legislative foundation for rapid industry growth.

Fueling Growth: From Talent Development to Tax Incentives

At the heart of the roadmap lies a 10-point framework aimed at accelerating skill development, funding accessibility, and international expansion. With 4.5 million software developers and over 650 million gamers, India already has the demographic base to become a global gaming hub—provided the right policy and investment support is in place.

GDAI proposes embedding formal game development programs into premier institutions like IITs, NITs, and NIDs, producing 15,000 skilled developers and designers annually. Collaboration with leading platforms such as Unity and Unreal Engine will further build technical and creative excellence to deliver globally competitive titles.

Funding, Tax Relief, and Studio Acceleration

Recognizing the capital challenges of game development, the roadmap introduces an equity-free grant program of up to ₹2 crore per project, a 10-year tax holiday, and zero GST on development expenses. Additional measures include a 50% refund on global platform commissions and a Mobile Game Accelerator offering up to 75% reimbursement of user acquisition costs, encouraging experimentation and innovation across studios.

Collectively, these initiatives could inject ₹6,500 crore in financial and tax support over the next decade, with export earnings from mobile and console games projected to exceed $14.5 billion annually by 2035.

Global Talent, Local Impact

To attract world-class expertise, GDAI recommends tax incentives and a dedicated “Gaming Talent Visa” for international professionals relocating to India. This initiative aims to onboard 1,000 senior developers who can mentor 10,000 local creators, accelerating India’s transition to a globally competitive game development ecosystem.

Building Infrastructure and Global Presence

The roadmap envisions the creation of 10 dedicated gaming hubs across India’s major tech cities—Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi—equipped with motion capture studios, testing labs, and high-end hardware. These hubs could reduce operational costs by up to 80% for smaller studios while driving collaborative innovation.

To strengthen India’s international footprint, GDAI calls for active participation in global expos such as GDC, Gamescom, and Tokyo Game Show, along with the expansion of the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) to promote “Brand India Gaming” worldwide.

A $100 Billion Opportunity

By 2035, the Indian gaming sector could directly employ 500,000 professionals and indirectly support another 1.5 million jobs, while saving up to $7 billion annually by replacing foreign titles with domestic ones. With a mix of tax incentives, export-driven strategy, and talent incubation, India could surpass major global gaming hubs like Canada, the UK, and Turkey in investment appeal.

The Risk of Standing Still

GDAI warns that without swift policy execution, India’s growing market could be overtaken by foreign studios—leading to billions in lost revenue and brain drain. “The window of opportunity won’t stay open forever,” the paper cautions. “With the right incentives, infrastructure, and intent, India can emerge as the world’s next gaming superpower.”

Source: Government Economics Indiatimes

Voice of Osiz

India Gaming Vision 2035 reflects the nation’s bold stride toward building a global gaming ecosystem powered by innovation, talent, and technology. By aligning AI, blockchain, and immersive design, this roadmap positions India as a creative powerhouse in digital entertainment. The vision strongly resonates with Osiz Technologies’ commitment to fostering intelligent, scalable, and future-driven digital solutions that empower next-generation industries.