The Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) incubated Asymmetrical Learning, led by Siddharth Rahalkar, has announced a landmark partnership with the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) to bring the U.S. collegiate esports phenomenon, May Madness, to India. The collaboration marks the first international licensing deal for CECC’s operator, the Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), and aims to establish a structured collegiate esports ecosystem across Indian schools and universities.
In a statement, S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), clarified, “The concern is not with esports, but with money-based gaming. Esports represent skill, discipline, and digital learning—not gambling. Through the new law, our aim is to create a clear national framework that supports competitive gaming and educational innovation.”
The move comes as India strengthens its policy and regulatory frameworks for the gaming sector through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which officially recognizes esports as a legitimate sport. The new act has created an environment that encourages innovation and legitimizes organized gaming competitions.
Siddharth Rahalkar, Founder of Asymmetrical Learning, said, “Our partnership with CSMG allows us to bring organized collegiate esports to students nationwide. Recognizing esports as a competitive sport enables us to design tournaments that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy—skills essential for success in modern education and careers.”
The collaboration will mark the first global expansion of CECC, North America’s largest collegiate esports championship, which brings together university-level gamers in structured tournaments. The Indian edition aims to mirror this success by nurturing an ecosystem that supports scholastic esports from high school to college level.
Incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, one of India’s leading startup accelerators, Asymmetrical Learning benefits from mentorship, research support, and an innovation-driven community. The company’s parent organization, Acceler Edtech Pvt. Ltd., is registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The partnership between Asymmetrical Learning and CECC highlights the growing convergence between education, gaming, and technology, while fostering cross-border collaboration between India and the U.S. It reinforces esports as a tool for digital learning and global skill development—positioning India as a rising force in the international esports landscape.
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