Polymarket is accessible in India — the platform does not geoblock Indian IP addresses. However, India’s evolving regulatory landscape for online gaming and crypto creates legal uncertainty. Here’s what Indian users need to know.
Current Status: Accessible (Legal Grey Area)
India is not on Polymarket’s geoblocked countries list. The platform is fully accessible from Indian IP addresses without a VPN. Indian users can sign up, deposit, and trade.
However, India passed PROGA 2025 (Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act), which broadly prohibits “online money games.” While the law has received Presidential Assent, its enforcement provisions have not been fully notified as of early 2026. The regulatory situation is evolving.
The Legal Landscape
PROGA 2025
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act passed Parliament and received Presidential Assent on August 22, 2025. Key provisions:
- Blanket prohibition on “online money games”
- Collapsed the old distinction between games of skill and games of chance — both are prohibited if money is staked
- Created the Online Gaming Authority of India for enforcement
- The law’s provisions have not been fully “notified” (enforced) as of early 2026
Whether PROGA applies to prediction markets specifically — and whether it covers platforms like Polymarket that are based overseas — remains untested.
SEBI
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has not issued specific guidance on prediction markets. The focus has been on overhauling stock broker regulations and the Securities Markets Code 2025.
RBI
The Reserve Bank of India maintains a cautious stance on crypto:
- Pushing CBDCs over stablecoins
- Making crypto expensive through compliance requirements rather than outright banning it
- The government’s Economic Survey 2025-2026 signaled potential stablecoin regulations
How to Deposit from India
India has a robust crypto exchange ecosystem with UPI and bank transfer support.
Step 1: Buy USDC on an Indian Exchange
| Exchange | UPI Support | Bank Transfer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WazirX | Yes | Yes | Largest Indian exchange |
| CoinDCX | Yes | Yes | Wide token selection |
| CoinSwitch | Yes | Yes | User-friendly interface |
| ZebPay | Yes | Yes | One of the oldest exchanges |
| Mudrex | Yes | Yes | Focus on automated investing |
Step 2: Transfer USDC to Polymarket
- Go to Deposit on Polymarket
- Select Use Crypto and copy your deposit address
- Send USDC from your exchange to the Polymarket address
- Choose Polygon for the lowest fees ($3 minimum, arrives in seconds)
For the full walkthrough, see our How to Deposit on Polymarket guide.
Tax Implications (Important)
India has one of the strictest crypto tax regimes in the world:
| Tax | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto gains tax | 30% flat | No deductions except cost of acquisition. No offset against other losses. |
| TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) | 1% | On crypto transactions above thresholds |
| Surcharge + cess | Additional | Can push effective rate above 30% for high earners |
Key points:
- The 30% tax applies regardless of your income bracket
- You cannot offset crypto losses against other income
- Losses from one crypto asset cannot offset gains from another
- These rates apply to Polymarket profits
Keep detailed records of all deposits, trades, withdrawals, and payouts for ITR filing.
Indian Prediction Market Platforms
Before Polymarket, several domestic platforms offered “opinion trading”:
| Platform | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Probo | Operating (uncertain) | India’s largest opinion trading platform |
| TradeX | Operating (uncertain) | Faces similar regulatory uncertainty |
These platforms face uncertainty under PROGA 2025. Compared to Polymarket, they offer:
- Fewer markets and lower liquidity
- Denominated in INR (convenient but limits scope)
- Subject to domestic regulatory enforcement
Getting Started
If you’re in India and want to start trading on Polymarket:
- Sign up for Polymarket — under 2 minutes, no KYC required
- Buy USDC on WazirX or CoinDCX via UPI
- Deposit on Polymarket — transfer USDC via Polygon
- Place your first trade — start with a small amount
Related Guides
- All Country Guides — Check availability for every country
- Country Availability Checker — Instant status lookup for 190+ countries
- What Is Polymarket? — Full platform overview
- How to Sign Up for Polymarket — Create your account
- How to Deposit on Polymarket — Full deposit guide
- How to Trade on Polymarket — Market orders, limit orders, and tips
- Polymarket Fees Explained — Fee breakdown by category (or use the fee calculator)
- Polymarket Review 2026 — Our honest review after 2 years of trading