India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has unveiled MyWAVES, a dynamic user-generated content platform on WAVES OTT, alongside a national AI skilling program targeting 15,000 media professionals in partnership with Google and YouTube. This initiative aims to transform passive viewing into interactive creation while equipping creators with cutting-edge AI tools for the digital age. Key upgrades to DD Free Dish access further democratize broadcasting nationwide.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced these measures on March 22, 2026, positioning them as pillars of the 'Orange Economy' to foster India's creator ecosystem. The launches emphasize citizen participation, skill enhancement, and seamless content access, aligning with the Create in India Challenge.
MyWAVES Platform Unveiled
MyWAVES reimagines WAVES OTT as an interactive hub for citizen creators, supporting short-form, vertical, and episodic content in multiple languages. Users can upload and share creations, integrating with national programs to spotlight India's cultural diversity. Vaishnaw highlighted its role in turning viewers into active contributors, boosting the media and entertainment sector's growth.
National AI Skilling Push
In collaboration with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Google, and YouTube, MIB will train 15,000 individuals through free scholarships. Phase one (March 23 to June 30, 2026) covers foundational generative AI and prompting skills. Phase two (July to December 2026) dives into advanced tools like Gemini, Veo, and Vertex AI, plus storytelling and platform strategies.
DD Free Dish Enhancements
Advanced Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) and in-built satellite tuners in TVs will eliminate extra equipment needs, improving rural access to free broadcasting. I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju noted this trio of initiatives—MyWAVES for creation, AI for skills, and EPGs for reach—strengthens India's digital content landscape.
Key highlights
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MyWAVES enables multilingual UGC on WAVES OTT for emerging creators
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15,000 AI scholarships via IICT, Google, YouTube partnership
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Two-phase training: foundational AI now, advanced tools later
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EPGs and tuners boost DD Free Dish accessibility nationwide
Sources:impactonnet.com,india.entrepreneur.com,exchange4media.com, education.economictimes.indiatimes.com