Editorials thehindu.com

Regulation, not bans, can protect online gamers

22 May 2026 Source

Exam Summary

The article argues that the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, which aimed to protect vulnerable populations from the adverse impacts of online games involving money, has been counterproductive. Instead of curbing the issue, the ban implemented by the Act has led to a significant rise in the use of illegal offshore betting and gambling platforms. These platforms not only circumvent domestic laws but also pose risks of money laundering and terror financing. The author advocates for a strong regulatory framework with accountability and consumer safeguards, similar to approaches in the UAE and Sri Lanka, rather than outright bans, to effectively address the challenges and generate tax revenue.

GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. GS-III: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; Money-laundering and its prevention.

UPSC concepts in this story

These are durable syllabus ideas — use them for revision, not article memory.

Regulation of Online Gaming and Digital Platforms

The article highlights the ineffectiveness of outright bans on online gaming, leading to a shift towards unregulated offshore platforms. It advocates for a r...

Science & Technology 6 PYQs 1 developments

Exam Themes

Prelims Takeaways

  • The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, was enacted to protect individuals from adverse impacts of online money games.
  • Post-PROG Act implementation, there has been a significant shift from regulated domestic platforms to illegal offshore betting platforms.
  • Offshore platforms are linked to increased risks of money laundering and terror financing.
  • Technological tools like VPNs, proxy servers, and mirror sites are used by illegal operators to evade bans.
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has blocked thousands of URLs to combat illegal betting networks.
  • International examples (UAE, Sri Lanka) show a trend towards regulated frameworks over outright bans for online gambling.
  • The article highlights the debate between bans and regulation as a policy choice for online activities.
  • Effective regulation requires sustained coordination between Centre and State governments.

Elimination Traps

  • Confusing the objective of the PROG Act with its actual outcomes.
  • Assuming that a ban on online gaming/betting is effective in curbing the activity.
  • Overlooking the role of technology (VPNs, mirror sites) in circumventing online bans.

Static Concepts

  • Money laundering
  • Terror financing
  • Cybercrime
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
  • Proxy servers
  • Consumer protection
  • Grievance redress mechanism
  • Federal licensing framework
  • Tax revenue
  • Paternalistic bans

Probable Question Areas

Question areas
  • Critically analyze the effectiveness of government policies in regulating online activities, especially those involving financial transactions.
Question areas
  • Discuss the challenges posed by offshore online betting platforms, including their links to money laundering and cybercrime.
Question areas
  • Compare and contrast the 'ban' versus 'regulation' approach for managing social issues in the digital domain, with examples.
Question areas
  • Examine the role of technology in both enabling and circumventing online regulations.
Question areas
  • What measures can be taken to enhance consumer protection and grievance redressal in the context of online gaming and betting?
Conceptual Recurrence

Related Prelims PYQs

Ranked by topic match, theme match, recency, and recurring UPSC patterns.

UPSC Prelims 2016 Social Issues & Schemes

With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 1 and 2 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 1 and 2 only

Statement 1 is correct. The Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion aims to demonstrate improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with a cluster approach. Statement 2 is also correct. Millets are mainly grown in regions of low annual rainfall and poor arid soil. It is inadequate, small, marginal and tribal farmers, who cannot afford costly irrigation practices, depend on the cultivation of millets. Hence these farmers benefit from the scheme and have a larger stake in this scheme. Statement 3 is not correct. There is no such provision to encourage commercial crop farmers to shift to millet cultivation.

Agriculture Social Justice & Development Indian Polity & Governance Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2017 Social Issues & Schemes

Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)?

  1. A. Resident Indian citizens only
  2. B. Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
  3. C. All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments
  4. D. All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April 2004
Explanation
Correct answer
C. All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments

The Central Government introduced the National Pension System (NPS) with effect from January 1, 2004 (except for armed forces). Subsequently, various State Governments adopted this architecture and implemented NPS with effect from different dates. Eligibility to join
- Any citizen of India, whether resident or non-resident, subject to the following conditions.
- Individuals who are aged between 18 60 years, including NRIs.
- After attaining 60 years of age, you will not be permitted to make further contributions to the NPS accounts

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Indian Polity & Governance Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2015 Social Issues & Schemes

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has been launched for -

  1. A. providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates
  2. B. Promoting women’s Self Help Groups in backward areas
  3. C. promoting financial inclusion in the country
  4. D. providing financial help to marginalised communities
Explanation
Correct answer
C. promoting financial inclusion in the country

PMJDY is a National Mission on Financial Inclusion encompassing an integrated approach to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion of all households in the country. The plan envisages: - Universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking account for every household.
- Financial literacy.
- Access to credit.
- Insurance and pension facility.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies Digital Financial Infrastructure
UPSC Prelims 2024 Social Issues & Schemes

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:

1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A. 1,3 and 4
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 2 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 4
Explanation
Correct answer
B. 2 and 3 only

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, here's the breakdown of the statements: * Statement 1:  Incorrect. The eligible age group for enrolment in the scheme is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40 years. This allows younger workers to join early and contribute for a longer period. * Statement 2: Correct. Beneficiaries are required to make age-specific monthly contributions, which increase with age. For instance, contributions start at ₹55 for an 18-year-old and go up to ₹200 for a 40-year-old. * Statement 3: Correct. Subscribers will receive a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining 60 years of age. This provides social security for workers in the unorganized sector. * Statement 4: Incorrect. Family pension is available only to the spouse, who will receive 50% of the pension amount after the subscriber's death. Unmarried daughters are not eligible for this benefit.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2024 Social Issues & Schemes

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements:

1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A. 1 only
  2. B. 2 only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
B. 2 only

* Statement 1: Incorrect. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a minimum package of antenatal care (ANC) services only during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It does not cover post-delivery health care services for six months. The focus is on ensuring safe pregnancies through early detection and management of high-risk cases. * Statement 2:  Correct. Under PMSMA, private sector health care providers (such as gynecologists, radiologists, and physicians) can volunteer to provide free services at nearby government health facilities on the 9th of every month. This public-private partnership enhances access to specialized care for pregnant women.

Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2023 Social Issues & Schemes

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:
1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A. Only one
  2. B. Only two
  3. C. Only three
  4. D. All four
Explanation
Correct answer
B. Only two

Statement 1 is incorrect: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM). It is a central intervention implemented by states, not an intervention of the State Health Departments. Statement 2 is correct: The primary objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by encouraging safe, institutional births. Statement 3 is correct: The scheme provides a cash incentive to mothers to promote institutional delivery, particularly among those from BPL, SC, and ST households. Statement 4 is incorrect: While care for sick infants is a priority under the National Health Mission, the provision of free facilities for sick infants up to one year of age is specifically a feature of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) launched in 2011. JSY, launched in 2005, is primarily a conditional cash transfer scheme for delivery.

Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2017 Social Issues & Schemes

What is the purpose of ‘Vidyanjali Yojana’?

1. To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India.
2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A. 2 only
  2. B. 3 only
  3. C. 1 and 2 only
  4. D. 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Correct answer
A. 2 only

Statement 1 is incorrect. Vidyanjali Yojana is not focused on attracting foreign universities to set up campuses in India. Statement 2 is correct. Vidyanjali Yojana aims to improve government schools by leveraging resources and expertise from the private sector (retired professionals, NGOs) and the community (volunteers). Statement 3 is incorrect. While the initiative might indirectly lead to improved infrastructure due to volunteer efforts, its primary focus is not on monetary contributions for infrastructure development.

Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2016 Social Issues & Schemes

‘SWAYAM’, an initative of the Government of India, aims at

  1. A. Promoting Self Help Groups in rural areas
  2. B. Providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs
  3. C. Promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
  4. D. Providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free

Under SWAYAM or Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds programme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, professors and faculties from centrally funded institutions like IITs, IIMs, central universities will offer online courses to citizens of India. SWAYAM is an instrument for self-actualisation providing opportunities for life-long learning. Here, learners can choose from hundreds of courses, virtually every course that is taught at the university/college/school level and these shall be offered by the best of the teachers in India and elsewhere.

Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2016 Social Issues & Schemes

‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to -

  1. A. Immunization of children and pregnant women
  2. B. Construction of smart cities across the country
  3. C. India’ own search for Earth-like planets in outer space
  4. D. New Educational policy
Explanation
Correct answer
A. Immunization of children and pregnant women

Mission Indradhanush launched by the Government of India pertains to immunization. Specifically, it's a special immunization program that aims to - Increase full immunization coverage - Mission Indradhanush targets children under two years old and pregnant women to ensure they receive all the recommended vaccines for protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. - Focus on low-coverage areas - Improve routine immunization By focusing on these aspects, Mission Indradhanush aims to improve overall child health and reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in India. Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Social Justice & Development Indian Polity & Governance Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
UPSC Prelims 2016 Social Issues & Schemes

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at -

  1. A. Bringing the small entrepreneurs into the formal financial system
  2. B. Providing loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops
  3. C. Providing pensions to old and destitute persons
  4. D. Funding the voluntary organization involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation
Explanation
Correct answer
A. Bringing the small entrepreneurs into the formal financial system

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) is aimed at providing affordable credit to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the non-farm sector. Here's a breakdown of its key objectives - Financial Inclusion: MUDRA helps bring unbanked or underserved entrepreneurs into the formal financial system, enabling them to access loans from banks and other financial institutions.
- Loan Products: The scheme offers a range of loan products categorized under three categories based on loan amount Shishu (up to Rs. 50,000), Kishore (above Rs. 50,000 up to Rs. 5 lakh), and Tarun (above Rs. 5 lakh up to Rs. 10 lakh).
- Focus on Non-Farm Sector: MUDRA loans cater to income-generating micro enterprises engaged in manufacturing, trading, or service activities. - Activities allied to agriculture, like poultry, dairy, and beekeeping, are also included. Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Indian Economy Social Justice & Development Welfare Schemes & Social Policies Financial Markets & Instruments