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In India, the changing of seasons heralds the rise and fall of various pet trends. As the newest addition to the roster, Indian fantasy sports are rapidly evolving with the integration of technology and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/data-analytics" rel="dofollow">data analytics</a>, transforming them from mere tools of intuition and fandom to something akin to the deep learning AIs of today.
&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s fantasy sports are no different than estimating the stock market using complex algorithms. Everything is a skill these days, and the one who optimises the data best becomes the winner,&rdquo; said FIFS&rsquo; (Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports) Director General Mr. Joy Bhattacharjya on the growing complexity of the sport in an exclusive interview to WION.&nbsp;
The mounting reliance on technology gained legitimacy at the Big Data Gameathon, an initiative spearheaded by Dream11 and FIFS. No longer did participants rely on basic stats, but rather built models that encompassed not only the players&rsquo; stats but also the pitch and weather conditions, and their performance against certain types of bowlers - to the minutiae of how a batsman plays against leg spinners on turning tracks.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ipl-2025-srh-vs-pbks-today-match-prediction-toss-pitch-report-and-playing-xi-8953893" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025 | SRH vs PBKS Today Match - Prediction, Toss, Pitch Report and Playing XI</a>
The point was made quite clear, saying AI is making advanced prediction models accessible to everyone, with or without coding skills. As one expert put it, &ldquo;Today, for someone who hasn&rsquo;t coded in decades, AI allows them to pose intelligent questions and receive valuable insight. That is transformative.&rdquo;
The purpose of the collaboration between FIFS and the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) is to harness the potential within sport to inspire innovations while taking care of a new breed of sports-tech entrepreneurs. Their method is straightforward, though very impactful: Take India&rsquo;s obsession with cricket, integrate high-level <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/artificial-intelligence">Artificial Intelligence</a> challenges, and prize the top achievers.
Under a month, the Gameathon has scaled from 150 teams to over 650, demonstrating the massive interest this interdisciplinary approach of sports and technology has. Their partnership with the MIB further credibility and reach to ensure this momentum sustains for a long-term ecosystem.
&ldquo;What we&rsquo;re doing is combining a passion for sports with a passion for technology, which is a force we can&rsquo;t stop,&rdquo; Joy said. "Students are developing models for their favorite games and competing at levels where they are recognised not just for monetary prizes, but for notoriety. That&rsquo;s the real motivator.&rdquo;
<h2>'Focus is on India'</h2>
While cricket has captured the imagination of the nation first due to its cultural influence, the goals are far more expansive. There are already plans to apply the same principles to the ISL and I-league. The aim is to use Indian sports to further AI literacy and innovation in technologies.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see any reason why this could not be applied to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/premier-league">Premier League</a> games or any other sport around the world. But right now, the focus is on India,&rdquo; he added.
Perhaps the most exhilarating feature of AI in sports technology comes in the field of talent identification. India's enormous area coupled with its huge population means that myriad athletes with exceptional talent go unrecognised due to the lack of accessibility and infrastructure. AI-driven sports tech can make that possible.
&ldquo;Consider how the internet transformed education in remote areas of India&mdash;AI has the power to do the same for sports,&rdquo; Joy said fervently. &ldquo;We're thinking about the equalisation of access to coaching, scouting, and player development. Every athlete in the global hinterlands would be able to be viewed, analysed, and provided with a systematic approach to achieving their goals.&rdquo;
With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence technologies, and with the development of more complex fantasy strategy disciplines, the question of whether AI is capable of substituting human spontaneity becomes a matter of debate. Although for now, it remains up to people&mdash;their imagination, the zeal to create, and technology.
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Sports: Indian fantasy sports are rapidly evolving, transforming them from mere tools of intuition and fandom to something akin to the deep learning AIs of today

In India, the changing of seasons heralds the rise and fall of various pet trends. As the newest addition to the roster, Indian fantasy sports are rapidly evolving with the integration of technology and data analytics, transforming them from mere tools of intuition and fandom to something akin to the deep learning AIs of today. “Today’s fantasy sports are no different than estimating the stock market using complex algorithms. Everything is a skill these days, and the one who optimises the data best becomes the winner,” said FIFS’ (Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports) Director General Mr. Joy Bhattacharjya on the growing complexity of the sport in an exclusive interview to WION. The mounting reliance on technology gained legitimacy at the Big Data Gameathon, an initiative spearheaded by Dream11 and FIFS. No longer did participants rely on basic stats, but rather built models that encompassed not only the players’ stats but also the pitch and weather conditions, and their performance against certain types of bowlers - to the minutiae of how a batsman plays against leg spinners on turning tracks. Also Read: IPL 2025 | SRH vs PBKS Today Match - Prediction, Toss, Pitch Report and Playing XI The point was made quite clear, saying AI is making advanced prediction models accessible to everyone, with or without coding skills. As one expert put it, “Today, for someone who hasn’t coded in decades, AI allows them to pose intelligent questions and receive valuable insight. That is transformative.” The purpose of the collaboration between FIFS and the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) is to harness the potential within sport to inspire innovations while taking care of a new breed of sports-tech entrepreneurs. Their method is straightforward, though very impactful: Take India’s obsession with cricket, integrate high-level Artificial Intelligence challenges, and prize the top achievers. Under a month, the Gameathon has scaled from 150 teams to over 650, demonstrating the massive interest this interdisciplinary approach of sports and technology has. Their partnership with the MIB further credibility and reach to ensure this momentum sustains for a long-term ecosystem. “What we’re doing is combining a passion for sports with a passion for technology, which is a force we can’t stop,” Joy said. "Students are developing models for their favorite games and competing at levels where they are recognised not just for monetary prizes, but for notoriety. That’s the real motivator.” 'Focus is on India' While cricket has captured the imagination of the nation first due to its cultural influence, the goals are far more expansive. There are already plans to apply the same principles to the ISL and I-league. The aim is to use Indian sports to further AI literacy and innovation in technologies. “I don’t see any reason why this could not be applied to Premier League games or any other sport around the world. But right now, the focus is on India,” he added. Perhaps the most exhilarating feature of AI in sports technology comes in the field of talent identification. India's enormous area coupled with its huge population means that myriad athletes with exceptional talent go unrecognised due to the lack of accessibility and infrastructure. AI-driven sports tech can make that possible. “Consider how the internet transformed education in remote areas of India—AI has the power to do the same for sports,” Joy said fervently. “We're thinking about the equalisation of access to coaching, scouting, and player development. Every athlete in the global hinterlands would be able to be viewed, analysed, and provided with a systematic approach to achieving their goals.” With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence technologies, and with the development of more complex fantasy strategy disciplines, the question of whether AI is capable of substituting human spontaneity becomes a matter of debate. Although for now, it remains up to people—their imagination, the zeal to create, and technology.

Exclusive | How artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming fantasy sports

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) has warned social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms. Issuing a statement on Thursday (Mar 21), the I&amp;B ministry said that online gambling has significant financial and socio-economic implications. "The Ministry has said that these advertisements have significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth," the statement said.

"The ministry has further advised the online advertisement intermediaries not to target such promotional content towards Indian audience. Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content," it added.

The ministry said that a failure to comply with the advisory might lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, including removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts and penal action under the applicable statutes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-businessman-loses-7-million-while-online-gambling-suspect-flees-police-618914">Indian businessman loses $7 million while gambling online, suspect flees: Police</a>

The advisory stressed that while Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 provides for exemption from liability of intermediaries for third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by them, "subsection (3)(b) of section 79 provides that the exemption from liability shall not apply if upon receiving actual knowledge, or on being notified by the appropriate Government or its agency that any information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by the intermediary is being used to commit the unlawful act, the intermediary fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to that material on that resource without vitiating the evidence in any manner."

The I&amp;B ministry further reiterated the advisory by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which expressed concerns over celebrities and influencers endorsing betting and gambling platforms. The CCPA had said that any such direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement shall be subjected to rigorous scrutiny.

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has warned social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms. Issuing a statement on Thursday (Mar 21), the I&B ministry said that online gambling has significant financial and socio-economic implications.

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has warned social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms. Issuing a statement on Thursday (Mar 21), the I&B ministry said that online gambling has significant financial and socio-economic implications. "The Ministry has said that these advertisements have significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth," the statement said. "The ministry has further advised the online advertisement intermediaries not to target such promotional content towards Indian audience. Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content," it added. The ministry said that a failure to comply with the advisory might lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, including removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts and penal action under the applicable statutes. Also read | Indian businessman loses $7 million while gambling online, suspect flees: Police The advisory stressed that while Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 provides for exemption from liability of intermediaries for third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by them, "subsection (3)(b) of section 79 provides that the exemption from liability shall not apply if upon receiving actual knowledge, or on being notified by the appropriate Government or its agency that any information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by the intermediary is being used to commit the unlawful act, the intermediary fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to that material on that resource without vitiating the evidence in any manner." The I&B ministry further reiterated the advisory by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which expressed concerns over celebrities and influencers endorsing betting and gambling platforms. The CCPA had said that any such direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement shall be subjected to rigorous scrutiny.

India's I&B ministry cautions social media influencers against endorsing online gambling platforms

Taking a first step to deal with the rising menace of fake news, the Indian government has amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists proposing penalties ranging from suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news”.

While these guidelines, for the time being, will only apply to journalists accredited with the Government of India, there are indications that the government was going to deal with non-accredited journalists engaging in fake news through other departments of the Information & Broadcasting ministry.

While the Indian government is trying to put a deterrent mechanism in place through this latest move, it is expected to ignite a major controversy with apprehensions that the new&nbsp;guidelines could be misused to muzzle the freedom of press.

The government said that once complaints of instances of fake news are received, those related to print media will be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) while those pertaining to the electronic media will be referred to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). These two bodies will then have to determine within a period of 15 days whether the news-item referred to in the complaint was fake or not.

As soon as the complaint is registered and sent for inquiry to PCI or NBA, the accreditation of the journalist in question will get suspended and will remain suspended during the period of inquiry.

In case the PCI or the NBA confirm the publication or telecast of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist in question will be “suspended for a period of 6 months in the first violation and for one year in the case of 2nd violation and in the event of 3rd violation it would be cancelled permanently”.

The government also said that the Accreditation Committee of the Press Information Bureau, which consists of representative of both PCI and NBA, shall invariably be reached out to for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency.

“While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines,” the Information & Broadcasting ministry said.

Significantly, the Indian government’s move came on a day when Malaysia pushed a law through its Parliament making fake news punishable with a maximum six-year jail term.

Instances of fake news have become commonplace in India, particularly on the social media and in vernacular press. Even the national media has often fallen prey to this menace. Sources in the Indian government said that the problem appears to be assuming alarming proportions and that was why some action needed to be taken and that is what has led to these latest amendment in guidelines.

The penalties range from the suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting 'fake news'

Taking a first step to deal with the rising menace of fake news, the Indian government has amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists proposing penalties ranging from suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news”. While these guidelines, for the time being, will only apply to journalists accredited with the Government of India, there are indications that the government was going to deal with non-accredited journalists engaging in fake news through other departments of the Information & Broadcasting ministry. While the Indian government is trying to put a deterrent mechanism in place through this latest move, it is expected to ignite a major controversy with apprehensions that the new guidelines could be misused to muzzle the freedom of press. The government said that once complaints of instances of fake news are received, those related to print media will be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) while those pertaining to the electronic media will be referred to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). These two bodies will then have to determine within a period of 15 days whether the news-item referred to in the complaint was fake or not. As soon as the complaint is registered and sent for inquiry to PCI or NBA, the accreditation of the journalist in question will get suspended and will remain suspended during the period of inquiry. In case the PCI or the NBA confirm the publication or telecast of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist in question will be “suspended for a period of 6 months in the first violation and for one year in the case of 2nd violation and in the event of 3rd violation it would be cancelled permanently”. The government also said that the Accreditation Committee of the Press Information Bureau, which consists of representative of both PCI and NBA, shall invariably be reached out to for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency. “While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines,” the Information & Broadcasting ministry said. Significantly, the Indian government’s move came on a day when Malaysia pushed a law through its Parliament making fake news punishable with a maximum six-year jail term. Instances of fake news have become commonplace in India, particularly on the social media and in vernacular press. Even the national media has often fallen prey to this menace. Sources in the Indian government said that the problem appears to be assuming alarming proportions and that was why some action needed to be taken and that is what has led to these latest amendment in guidelines.

Government proposes penalties for journalists reporting 'fake news'