The rules notified by the Ministry of Electronics and IT will operationalize the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

• The act categorizes online games as E-Sport, Online Social Games, and Online Money Games.
• It prohibits all forms of online money games (e.g., poker & fantasy sports), while only allowing “online social games” and e-sports.

Key Highlights of Rules 

• Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI): It will be established to regulate online games, maintain registry, decide legality, impose penalties etc.
  • It will have a chairperson and five other members from various government ministries.
• Registration of Games: Both social games and e-sports must register with the OGAI and seek a valid Certificate of Registration.
• 3-Tiered Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Every registered online game or e-sport provider must maintain a functional grievance redressal mechanism for user complaints.
  • Appeals can be made to the Grievance Appellate Committee and then to the Authority.
• Violation: The draft rules propose to make violations a non-bailable offence and hold the entire company staff liable for facilitating any breach.

According to ECI’s notification, penultimate round of EVM counting shall be taken up only after complete counting of Postal Ballots.

About Postal Ballot

• Allows voters to cast their votes on an electronically received postal ballot, Avoiding the need to visit polling stations physically.
• Legal Framework: Governed by Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and Representation of People Act, 1951.
• Eligibility: Service voters, special voters, absentee voters (seniors above 85, persons with disabilities, etc.) those under preventive detention, and election duty personnel.
  • Service Voters include Members of the Armed Forces, central armed police forces, government servants posted abroad etc.
  • Special voters include the President, Vice President, Governors, Cabinet Ministers, other high-ranking dignitaries, etc. and their spouses.