GDAI Formalizes Industry Governance: Announces its 21-Member Governing Council

Mumbai, February 9, 2026: India’s apex governing body for the gaming ecosystem, Game Developers Association of India (GDAI), today announced its first 21-member council, establishing a comprehensive governance framework. The new Governing Council will unite leaders from game development studios, publishing houses, distribution platforms, esports organizations, and technology enablers, creating a unified voice for an industry poised to reach ~$8 billion by 2030.
The Governing Council will serve as GDAI’s executive body for operational governance and policy advocacy. It will help execute GDAI’s mission to drive employment and original IP creation in India’s gaming sector by focusing on industry-ready skilling, structured apprenticeships, and stronger incubation for studios, while engaging policymakers on taxation, responsible gaming, IP creation and protection, and ease of doing business. Together, these priorities are aimed at enabling Indian studios to create, own, and globally monetise original games, positioning India as a competitive global hub for game development.
The Governing Council includes industry leaders like Roby John of Supergaming, Keerti Singh of Hitwicket, Dayanidhi MG of Electronic Arts (EA), Deepak M V of Nazara Technologies, Akshat Rathee of NODWIN Gaming, Anuj Tandon of BITKRAFT Ventures and many more.
Sridhar Muppidi, Chairperson, GDAI, states, "With the Governing Council in place, GDAI now has a strong leadership and execution engine to work alongside the Board. This structure allows us to translate industry priorities into action across policy engagement, talent development, and ecosystem funding. Our focus is clear: enabling Indian studios to create and own original IP, scale globally, and position India as a competitive hub for game development. This is participatory, industry-led governance designed for long-term impact” 
Akshat Rathee, Managing Director and Co-Founder of NODWIN Gaming, and member of the newly formed Governing Council for GDAI, adds, “The time for gaming and esports to become true value creators in India’s interactive entertainment ecosystem is now. As part of the GDAI Governing Council, I look forward to working with the government and industry stakeholders to take the voice of young India forward.” 
Oliver Jones, Welsh founder of Moonfrog Labs and Member, GDAI Governing Council, said, “I came to India for the talent and stayed because of the potential. Indian game developers can compete with anyone globally, and through the Council, we'll work to remove the barriers—whether infrastructure, investment, or policy—that prevent them from realizing that potential."
Anuj Tandon, Partner - India & UAE, BITKRAFT Ventures, and Member, GDAI Governing Council, adds, “The Indian gaming market is one of the largest consumer markets of the world, and we see a large opportunity. As part of the Council, I'll work to shape frameworks that give investor confidence—clear regulations, IP protection, and ease of doing business—so hopefully we can make global capital flow to Indian gaming companies building world-class products.”
The 21-member Governing Council including the Chairperson are:
Akshat Rathee • Anando Banerjee • Anuj Tandon • Dayanidhi MG • Deepak Gurijala • Deepak M V • Harish Chengaiah • Imtiaz Hussain • Joseph Kim • Kartik Prabhakara • Keerti Singh • Kinshuk Sunil • Mario Royston • Nikhil Chandran • Oliver Jones • Roby John • Shiva Nandy • Tanay Tayal • Vaibhav Chavan • Yadu Rajiv