It has been 8 months since the ban on PUBG Mobile and 117 other Chinese apps took effect in September 2020. Speculations ran wild about the game's return to India. And finally, KRAFTON officially announced it will relaunch the game as Battlegrounds Mobile India. For you to keep track of such a hectic train of events, here's a full timeline summary of PUBG Mobile in India.

#1 September 2nd, 2020 – India Banned PUBG Mobile

The Indian Government removed PUBG Mobile, PUBG Mobile Lite, and 116 other apps in the protection of India's sovereignty and integrity.

Pubg Ban Timeline
India Banned PUBG Mobile in September 2020.

#2 September 8, 2020 – KRAFTON Cuts Ties With Tencent

PUBG Corporation, under KRAFTON, took over the publishing responsibilities of PUBG Mobile in India from Tencent Games.

#3 October 3, 2020 – Tencent Games Closes PUBG Mobile in India

After the ban, Tencent Games terminated all services for PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite users in India.

#4 November 7, 2020 – KRAFTON Partners With Azure

Next, KRAFTON announced its partnership with Microsoft Azure.

#5 November 12, 2020 – PUBG Mobile Invested $100 Million Investment To Develop PUBG Mobile India

As the reports said, PUBG Mobile announced that it would invest $100 Million USD in India. The main reason was to "cultivate the local video game, esports, entertainment, and IT industries.” On the same day, the studio also announced PUBG Mobile India.

Pubg Mobile Global 1 4
PUBG Mobile Will Invest Into India.

#6 November 14, 2020 – PUBG Mobile India Dropped A Teaser

In the video, PUBG Mobile confirmed the re-launch with Indian PUBG Mobile content creators: Dynamo, Jonathan, and Kronten.

#7 November 21, 2020 – PUBG India Established a Company in India

On November 21, 2021, PUBG India Private Limited officially registered itself with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

#8 December 22, 2020 – KRAFTON Appointed A Country Manager for India

KRAFTON appointed Aneesh Aravind as the country manager for India.

Pubg New State Image
PUBG Mobile had a tough time in 2020.

#9 January 8, 2021 – MEITY Denied Permission Requests By PUBG Mobile India

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) refused to grant a Right to Information (RTI) filing for PUBG Mobile.

#10 January 25, 2021 – KRAFTON Updated on PUBG Mobile’s Re-Release

KRAFTON finally made a statement revealing the relaunch of the game. However, the company did not go into any details.

#11 February 24, 2021 – KRAFTON Hired New Regional Head for India, Middle-East and North Africa

Unexpectedly, KRAFTON Inc. hired YOZOO Games’ former CEO Anuj Tandon to be the new Regional head for India, Middle East, and North Africa.

#12 February 24, 2021 – KRAFTON Announced PUBG: New State

A sequel of the game, PUBG: New State, was announced for Android and iOS. However, the pre-registrations were not available in India, Vietnam, and China.

Pubg New State 2
Introducing a sequel - PUBG: New State

#13 March 9, 2021 - KRAFTON Invested INR 164 Crore ($22,400,000) For NODWIN Gaming

As requested, KRAFTON agreed to fund the Indian esports tournament organizer, NODWIN Gaming.

#14 March 31, 2021 – KRAFTON Reassured The Return of PUBG Mobile India

KRAFTON guaranteed its interests in the Indian market. Hence, the company reaffirmed the development of a specific new version of the game.

#15 April 29, 2021 – KRAFTON Donated INR 1,50,00,000 ($202,653) to PM Cares Fund

KRAFTON contributed INR 1,50,00,000 ($202,653) to the PM Cares fund to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Battlegrounds Mobile India
Battlegrounds Mobile India Is Coming Soon!

#16 May 6, 2021 – KRAFTON Announced Battlegrounds Mobile India 

The return of the king! KRAFTON officially announced Battlegrounds Mobile India earlier this month. This will be an India-exclusive Battle Royale game. According to speculations, the title will come with exclusive outfits, features, and in-game events as well as a separate Esports ecosystem.

>>> Also Read: PUBG Mobile Is Officially Coming Back To India With New Poster And Teaser