I&B Ministry Launches Gems of India for Digital Creators

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launches the Gems of India challenge in New Delhi to spotlight grassroots digital creators.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) officially launched the pilot phase of the Gems of India challenge in New Delhi on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Designed to bolster India's growing creative and orange economy, the nationwide initiative aims to identify, nurture, and promote grassroots digital content creators across the country.

Hosted on the MyWAVES citizen creator platform under the WAVES OTT ecosystem, the program invites local storytellers to showcase their district's culture, heritage, tourism, and unique historical achievements through authentic short-form videos.

Pilot Phase Implementation and Strategic Partnerships

According to official announcements from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the pilot phase runs from August 1 to August 31, 2026. Participants can submit original videos ranging from one to three minutes through the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform.

The pilot launch covers six regions: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, and Ladakh. The rollout is supported by collaborative efforts involving Prasar Bharati, My Bharat, and respective state and district administrations, alongside local educational and cultural institutions. To expand community reach, the ministry has partnered with digital giants YouTube and Meta to mobilize local creator networks.

Structured Rewards and Multi-Tier Evaluation

According to official guidelines, the initiative features a competitive three-tier award framework to honor exceptional digital talent:

• District Level: Up to 20 awards worth ₹50,000 each per participating district.

• State Level: One exceptional creator from each district receives a state-level award of ₹2 lakh.

• National Level: Selected state entries will compete for national awards valued at ₹5 lakh each during subsequent rollouts.

Independent district and state jury panels—comprising experts in media, culture, tourism, and academia—will evaluate submissions to ensure a transparent selection process. Following the pilot, the initiative will expand nationwide to cover all states and Union Territories.

Why It Matters

Empowering local creators fosters inclusive digital growth and preserves regional heritage. By integrating grassroots talent into the formal creative economy, the initiative creates sustainable livelihood opportunities for youth across India's tier-2 and tier-3 districts.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Initiative: Gems of India Challenge (Pilot Phase).

• Organizer: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India.

• Submission Window: August 1 to August 31, 2026.

• Platform: MyWAVES section on WAVES OTT.

• Top Prizes: District awards of ₹50,000, state awards of ₹2 lakh, and national awards of ₹5 lakh.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gems of India challenge?

It is a national initiative launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to discover and promote grassroots digital creators through authentic storytelling about their local districts.

How can creators participate in the pilot phase?

Creators can submit original 1 to 3-minute videos highlighting their district's heritage and culture via the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform between August 1 and August 31, 2026.

Which regions are included in the pilot phase?

The pilot covers Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, and Ladakh.

Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Press Information Bureau, ANI News, DD India