India Boosts Creative Economy with WAVES 2025 Initiatives
The Indian government is taking significant strides to harness the potential of the creative economy, aiming to create robust economic opportunities for the country’s youth. A key highlight of this initiative is the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, which is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of establishing India as a global content creation hub. With the theme of ‘Create in India, Create for the World,’ WAVES aims to integrate creativity, content, and culture, propelling them into a structured engine of economic growth and global influence.
The summit sought to address the challenges of financing, skill development, and global outreach while fostering a sustainable ecosystem. Over 100,000 participants from more than 100 countries attended the event, which featured over 140 sessions, including plenaries, masterclasses, and breakout discussions led by global industry leaders.
Innovative Platforms and Programs
One notable outcome from WAVES 2025 is the launch of **WaveX**, a platform designed to promote startup-led innovations in the Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector. This included a live pitching event where 30 startups presented their ideas to potential investors. Additionally, over 100 startups showcased their projects at the Startup Pavilion. The first WaveX incubation center has been established at the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai, with plans for more centers across the nation.
WAVES has also introduced **WAVES Bazaar**, a marketplace for scripts, music, comics, and audio-visual rights. This year-round platform facilitates business engagement and market access for creators, offering them opportunities to participate in international markets, sign MoUs, and foster co-productions and licensing deals.
Furthermore, the **Create in India Challenge (CIC)** has emerged as a nationwide talent search across 33 creative categories, including animation and gaming. Attracting over 100,000 registrations globally, the winners of CIC are receiving support to showcase their talents at major international cultural platforms.
Educational Initiatives and Digital Integration
The Indian government is also committed to fostering skills and innovation through the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai. As a National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC-XR), IICT provides industry-aligned training and incubation for creators and developers in emerging digital domains.
Prasar Bharati has launched several initiatives aimed at integrating digital creators into public broadcasting. The ‘Creator’s Corner’ feature on DD News provides a platform for micro-influencers, helping them gain national exposure while retaining their Intellectual Property rights.
Regulatory Framework and Future Outlook
To support a safe and fair digital environment, the government has implemented the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules impose obligations on social media platforms to ensure transparent policies and accountability, indirectly benefiting creators by promoting fairness in platform conduct.
In addition, the WAVES OTT platform has been created to provide structured financial frameworks for independent creators. The 2026-27 budget indicates further support for the IICT in establishing AVGC Content Creator Labs in secondary schools and colleges across the country.
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