Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced a massive ~₹8,500 crore ($1 billion) fund to support India’s digital content creators. According to Ascendants, this initiative was unveiled in April 2025 as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a global content hub. The fund will be showcased at the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai from May 1-4, offering financial help, tech support, and training to online creators.
What is the Creator Economy?
The creator economy refers to people who make videos, photos, and other content online to earn money. This includes YouTubers, Instagram influencers, and other digital content makers. The government wants to help these creators compete with the best in the world.
Key Components of the Initiative
The plan has three main parts: a billion-dollar fund, a new educational institute, and a national challenge. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) will be built in Mumbai with an initial budget of ₹391 crore. The ‘Create in India’ Challenge will encourage new ideas from digital creators.
How the ₹8,500 Crore Fund Will Be Used:
- ₹3,320 crore ($400 million): Direct financial help to creators
- ₹2,490 crore ($300 million): Technology upgrades including AI and virtual reality tools
- ₹1,660 crore ($200 million): Training programs to build skills
- ₹755 crore ($91 million): Setting up the IICT in Mumbai
- ₹75 crore ($9 million): Global networking and market expansion
Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mumbai (first campus) |
| Budget | ₹391 crore |
| Focus | Skill development for digital creators |
| Target | Talent from smaller cities (beyond big metros) |
Who Will Benefit?
The initiative aims to support India’s 146 crore population by creating opportunities for digital content creators. It will work through a partnership between government and companies (called a public-private partnership). Special focus will be on finding and training talent from smaller cities beyond major metros.
This creator economy fund represents one of the biggest investments in digital content creation by any government worldwide. By combining financial support, education, and technology access, India hopes to transform itself from a content consumer to a leading global content producer.
