Synopsis
India's Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched three major initiatives. These aim to strengthen the media and entertainment sector and promote the creative economy. A National AI Skilling initiative with Google and YouTube will train 15,000 youths. MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform, will empower content creators. Enhanced DD Free Dish access will improve broadcasting reach.The three measures are: National AI Skilling initiative in partnership with Google and YouTube through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT); MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT; and the rollout of Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and in-built satellite tuners in television sets for enhancing access to DD Free Dish services.
The move is aimed at promoting the 'Orange Economy', strengthening public broadcasting, and building an AI skilled workforce in the media and entertainment sector, an official statement said.
The event witnessed participation from key media and entertainment (M&E) industry representatives, head of YouTube India along with senior officials from the ministry.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of democratising technology, Vaishnaw said the initiatives will make technology more affordable and accessible.
He said with in-built satellite tuners and an advanced programme guide, citizens can now access content easily without additional equipment.
The minister described MyWAVES as a powerful platform for content creators, enabling them to create, upload, and share content, thereby strengthening India's digital ecosystem.
Referring to the Union Budget announcements, he underlined the government's commitment to promoting the 'Orange Economy' and supporting the creative sector.
Vaishnaw further highlighted that under the National AI Skilling Initiative, being implemented with the support of YouTube, around 15,000 youths will be trained without any fee.
He also spoke about the "Creators' Corner" initiative, noting its growing popularity, with some content already receiving over three million views.
The minister urged creators across the country to actively use Doordarshan and platforms like MyWAVES to showcase India's rich culture, traditions, and regional diversity.
Calling upon creators to leverage these platforms, he encouraged them to "present stories from their regions and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive media landscape".
Talking about the three initiatives, Secretary in the ministry Sanjay Jaju highlighted that all three reflect a common policy direction.
These initiatives are aimed at building a strong ecosystem for creators while ensuring wider access to quality broadcasting, he said.
The National AI Skilling Initiative will help creators build capabilities and achieve their goals in the evolving digital landscape.
MyWAVES will support the creation of a vibrant digital ecosystem, enabling citizens to create, upload, and share content. The third initiative related to DD Free Dish adds significant value by allowing citizens to access content without the need for a set-top box, thereby improving reach, especially in remote areas, the statement said.
In essence, the first initiative will make people capable, the second will enable expansion of opportunities, and the third will ensure access to content for all, it added.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director - India, YouTube, said the initiative reflects the platform's continued commitment to a Digital India where technology serves as an enabler for all, the statement said.
"We believe that AI has the potential to open up remarkable opportunities for India's dynamic creative economy. Through our collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and IICT, we aim to equip creators and professionals with the skills required to master the tools of the future, leverage AI to tell more compelling stories, expand their reach to new audiences, and play a role in shaping the future of media," Soni said.
The ministry, in partnership with Google and YouTube, announced a National AI Skilling initiative to train 15,000 participants from the creative and media sectors.
This initiative is being implemented through the IICT, and is aimed at strengthening AI capabilities in areas such as animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC) and media technology.
The AI skilling programme will be conducted in two phases. Phase I, from March 23 to June 30, 2026, will focus on foundational AI learning at scale through Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud Generative AI learning paths.
Participants will undergo courses such as AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, Introduction to Generative AI, and Generative AI Leader Path. Successful completion of this phase will be mandatory for progression to the next stage.
Phase II, to be conducted from July to December 2026, will focus on advanced, hands-on and project-based specialization for the creative industry. The curriculum will include modules on the art of storytelling, YouTube best practices, and advanced training using AI tools such as Gemini 3, Nano Banana, Veo, and Vertex AI. The training will be conducted in major cities across the country.
The initiative will support creators, media professionals, students and developers in building future-ready skills and contribute to India's emergence as a global hub for digital content and innovation, the statement said.
