The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday unveiled a suite of initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s media and entertainment ecosystem, with a sharp focus on creator participation and AI-led skill development.
Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced three key measures: the launch of the MyWAVES citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT, a national AI skilling programme in collaboration with Google and YouTube, and the rollout of advanced Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) alongside in-built satellite tuners in television sets to improve access to DD Free Dish.
Positioning the initiatives within the government’s broader push to democratise technology and promote the ‘Orange Economy’, Vaishnaw said the integration of in-built satellite tuners and advanced programme guides would enable seamless access to television content without additional equipment.
At the centre of the announcement is MyWAVES, a user-generated content platform designed to transform WAVES OTT from a passive viewing service into an interactive creator ecosystem. The platform supports multiple formats, including short-form, vertical and episodic content, offers a multilingual interface, and is expected to integrate with national programmes such as the Create in India Challenge to support emerging creators.
I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju said the combined initiatives aim to build creator capabilities, expand opportunities and improve access to quality broadcasting, particularly in underserved regions.
As part of the AI push, the ministry will train 15,000 individuals from the media and entertainment sector through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies. The programme will be delivered in two phases, with the first phase running from 23 March to 30 June 2026, focusing on foundational AI skills such as generative AI and prompting. The second phase, scheduled between July and December 2026, will offer advanced, hands-on training using tools including Gemini, Veo and Vertex AI, alongside modules on storytelling and platform best practices.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director, India at YouTube, said the collaboration aims to help creators leverage AI for storytelling, expand their reach and contribute to the evolving digital media landscape.
The ministry said the initiatives are expected to strengthen India’s position as a global hub for digital content creation while fostering a more inclusive and accessible creator economy.
