The Maharashtra government and JioBLAST have signed an MoU to explore collaboration in gaming, esports, digital innovation, youth engagement and skill development. The partnership begins with 'India Rising: Road to EWC' in Mumbai, culminating on July 4 with the Esports World Cup Chess qualifier, while laying the groundwork for future ecosystem development.

Mumbai: In a significant step towards strengthening India's gaming and esports ecosystem, the Government of Maharashtra and JioBLAST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore long-term collaboration across gaming, esports, digital innovation, youth engagement, skill development and the broader digital economy in the state.

The MoU establishes a strategic framework for collaboration between the Government of Maharashtra and JioBLAST to support ecosystem development through industry engagement, innovation, knowledge exchange and capacity building. As the first initiative under the partnership, India Rising: Road to EWC will bring a localized celebration of the Esports World Cup (EWC) to Mumbai, serving as a platform to connect Indian players, creators and gaming communities with the global esports ecosystem.

The partnership outlines six broad areas of collaboration, including strengthening the gaming and esports ecosystem, promoting innovation and the digital economy, youth engagement and skill development, startup and academic collaboration, industry events and knowledge exchange, as well as investment promotion and industry facilitation.

Speaking on the partnership, Dr. P. Anbalagan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries, Government of Maharashtra, said: