The question that had Indian BGMI fans scratching their heads finally has an answer. Yes, Indian teams competing at PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2025 (PMGC 2025) will officially display the Indian flag, marking a shift from what happened at PMWC 2025 earlier this year. Orangutan’s IGL Aaru confirmed the news after personally checking with tournament officials, who gave the green light for teams to proudly represent India on the global stage.
The PMWC 2025 Flag Mystery
When Team AxTMG competed at PMWC 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, something felt off. Despite being India’s sole representative at the tournament, the Indian flag was conspicuously absent from their branding and official tournament materials. The team competed under just their organization name, leaving fans confused about why India wasn’t being properly represented.
The confusion stemmed from the fact that PUBG Mobile’s global version remains banned in India since 2020. PMWC 2025 used this banned version, creating legal complications for direct Indian representation. Adding to the complexity, AxTMG received an invited slot rather than qualifying through an official country-based pathway. These factors combined made it difficult for India to be officially recognized with flag representation at that event.
Why PMGC 2025 Changes Everything
The rules have shifted dramatically for PMGC 2025. In a livestream prior to the commencement of PMGC 2025, in a livestream, Aaru revealed that the team will be allowed to represent the Indian tricolour in the tournament. This represents a massive policy change from just months ago.
Several factors contributed to this breakthrough. Indian viewership at PMWC 2025 shattered records, proving the country’s massive esports audience and commercial value. PUBG Mobile Esports acknowledged this impact directly, stating that “Indian esports teams garnered overwhelming support and inspired fans around the world by showcasing their determination and sportsmanship” during the 2025 PUBG Mobile World Cup.
Official Qualification Path Makes the Difference
The biggest game-changer is India now has an official qualification pathway to PMGC. Both Orangutan and True Rippers earned their spots through legitimate competitive channels. Orangutan through BMSD 2025 and True Rippers via BMIC. This isn’t an invited slot or a backdoor entry. These teams qualified on merit through India’s recognized tournament structure.
PUBG Mobile Esports formalized this by announcing that “India will receive a special invitational slot at the 2025 PUBG MOBILE Global Championship, which will be awarded to the champion of the 2025 BMIC”. This official recognition means Indian teams can now compete under their country’s flag without the legal ambiguity that plagued previous tournaments.
What This Means for Indian Esports
The flag might seem like a small detail, but it represents something much bigger. It’s validation that Indian BGMI deserves recognition on the global PUBG Mobile stage. Orangutan begins their PMGC 2025 campaign in the Gauntlet Stage starting November 24, with matches scheduled from 4:30 PM IST. The Aaru-led squad, fresh off victories at BMSD 2025 and BGMI Showdown, will compete against 15 other international teams for seven Grand Finals spots.
This is India’s moment to prove that the support, the passion, and the competitive fire that made PMWC 2025 viewership records possible translates into results at PMGC 2025.