Ministry of Information & Broadcasting recently launched following three major initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s media, broadcasting and digital sector and promoting the creative economy.
- National AI Skilling Initiative
- MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT
- Rollout of Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and in-built satellite tuners in television sets for enhancing access to DD Free Dish services
These initiatives are aimed at promoting the ‘Orange Economy’, strengthening public broadcasting, and building an AI skilled workforce in the media and entertainment sector.
National AI Skilling Initiative
Launched by: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in partnership with Google and YouTube
Objective: It is aimed at strengthening AI capabilities in areas such as animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC) and media technology.
Target: To train 15,000 participants from the creative and media sectors.
Implementation: It is being implemented through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).
Phases: It will be conducted in two phases.
- Phase I (from 23rd March to 30th June, 2026): It 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 (July to December 2026): It will focus on advanced, hands-on and project-based specialization for the creative industry. Its 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.
MyWaves – Citizen Creator Platform under WAVES OTT
It is a new feature within the WAVES OTT platform that will enable citizens to create, upload and share content. It is designed as a structured platform for user-generated content (UGC) that will also support participation in national initiatives such as the Create in India Challenge.
The platform marks a shift from content viewing to active content participation, making WAVES OTT a platform not only for viewing but also for creation. It is expected to serve as an important platform for emerging creators and storytellers from across the country.
Advanced EPG & In-built Satellite Tuner in Television Sets
Launched for making television viewing simpler and more accessible. It will enable viewers to watch DD Free Dish channels directly on their television sets without the need for a separate set-top box, thereby reducing additional costs, wiring, and the hassle of multiple remotes.
The new advanced programme guide will allow users to easily browse channels and programme schedules in one place through a simple and intuitive interface, making the overall viewing experience more convenient for households across the country.