The government launched a set of initiatives aimed at strengthening its media, broadcasting and digital ecosystem, as it sharpens its focus on the so-called “orange economy”—industries driven by creativity, culture, and intellectual property.
Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced three key programmes: a National AI Skilling Initiative in partnership with Google and YouTube through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT); MyWAVES, a citizen-focused content platform on WAVES OTT; and the rollout of advanced electronic programme guides alongside in-built satellite tuners in television sets to expand access to DD Free Dish.
Vaishnaw said the integration of satellite tuners and improved programme guides would enable households to access television content more easily, without requiring additional hardware. He also said MyWAVES empowers creators to produce, publish and distribute content, particularly showcasing India’s cultural diversity.
A central pillar of the announcement is the National AI Skilling Initiative, under which around 15,000 young people will receive free training. The programme will be delivered in collaboration with YouTube and structured in two phases through 2026.
The first phase, from March to June, will focus on foundational AI learning at scale using Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud’s generative AI pathways. Courses will include AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, and introductions to generative AI.
The second phase, from July to December, will shift towards advanced, project-based learning tailored to the creative industries. Participants will receive training in storytelling, platform best practices and the use of AI tools such as Gemini, Veo, and Vertex AI.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director of YouTube India, said in a statement that the collaboration aims to equip creators with skills to harness AI, expand their reach, and shape the future of media, underscoring the growing intersection of technology and creativity.
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