Explain why banned PUBG is still available in India: NCPCR asks IT ministry

• Child safety body NCPCR sought an explanation on how PUBG is still accessible despite being banned.
• NCPCR wrote a letter to the IT ministry seeking a response in 10 days.
• Back in 2020, the Indian government banned 118 Chinese applications including PUBG.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) asked the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, how banned games such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, popularly known as PUBG is still accessible in India.

The apex body sought an explanation from the ministry on how PUBG is available to be used by minors. This letter comes after the news that a 16-year-old boy from Lucknow shot dead his mother allegedly for trying to prevent him from playing the online video game PUBG, according to police.

In 2019, a 15-year-old boy from Bhiwandi in the Thane district of Maharashtra allegedly killed his elder brother for scolding him over playing PUBG Mobile on his phone.

Back in 2020, the Union government banned 118 Chinese applications including PUBG Mobile and its other version PUBG Lite. The government said these apps were prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

The chief of the child rights body, Priyanka Kanoongo wrote a letter to the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in which she asked, "Why is the game available despite having been legally blocked in the country?"

Further, she also added, “It is requested that the commission may be informed regarding action taken in such incidents and be provided with a list of such games which are being used by minors, along with their regulating bodies and regulating mechanism, within 10 days of receipt of this letter.”

The NCPCR has also written a second letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), asking them to explain the current status of PUBG.

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