Pilot Phase of ‘Gems of India’ Challenge to Spotlight Grassroots Digital Creators (India)

The Gems of India Challenge launched by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting supports grassroots digital creators in India to showcase district-level culture, heritage, tourism, traditions, and achievements through creative digital storytelling. The pilot phase offers awards up to ₹5 lakh for outstanding creators.

Overview of the Gems of India Challenge

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has launched the Pilot Phase of the Gems of India Challenge to identify, encourage, and promote emerging digital creators who share authentic stories about India’s diverse districts.

The initiative aims to strengthen India’s creative economy and the Orange Economy by creating opportunities for citizens to produce digital content that highlights local identities, cultural heritage, traditions, and achievements.

The challenge provides a national platform for grassroots creators to showcase stories that represent the uniqueness of India’s districts.

Purpose of the Gems of India Challenge

The main objectives of the challenge are to:

Promote grassroots digital creators.
Encourage authentic storytelling about Indian districts.
Showcase India’s cultural diversity.
Strengthen the digital creator ecosystem.
Support user-generated content.
Highlight local heritage, tourism, and traditions.
Build a nationwide network of creative storytellers.

Focus Areas

The challenge encourages creators to develop content related to:

District culture.
Local heritage.
Tourism destinations.
Traditional practices.
History and identity.
Local achievements.
Community stories.
Unique district features.

Creators are encouraged to present stories that reflect the diversity and richness of communities across India.

Connection with MyWAVES Creator Platform

The Gems of India Challenge builds on MyWAVES, the citizen creator platform under WAVES OTT.

The platform enables citizens to:

Create original digital content.
Upload videos.
Share creative stories.
Participate in India’s growing creator economy.

Through this initiative, creators can contribute to documenting India’s diverse cultural and social landscape.

Participation Format

Creators must submit:

Original digital videos.
Video duration: 1 to 3 minutes.

Submissions must be made through the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform.

Application Timeline

The Pilot Phase submission period is:

1 August 2026 – 31 August 2026

Creators must submit their entries within the official submission period.

Pilot Phase Coverage Areas

The pilot phase will be implemented in:

Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Arunachal Pradesh.
Chandigarh.
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Goa.
Ladakh.

The initiative is being implemented with support from:

Prasar Bharati.
My Bharat.
State and District Administrations.
Local cultural institutions.
Educational institutions.

Digital Partnerships

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is collaborating with major digital platforms, including:

YouTube.
Meta.

These partnerships aim to:

Expand creator outreach.
Connect with digital communities.
Encourage wider participation.
Increase visibility of selected content.

Awards and Recognition

The challenge will recognize outstanding creators at district, state, and national levels.

District-Level Awards

Each district may receive:

Up to 20 awards.
Award amount: ₹50,000 per creator.

State-Level Awards

Each district will select one exceptional creator for:

State-level recognition.
Award amount: ₹2 lakh.

National-Level Awards

During the national rollout phase:

Selected state-level creators will compete for National Awards.
Award amount: ₹5 lakh per winner.

Eligibility and Participation

The challenge is designed for:

Grassroots digital creators.
Emerging content creators.
Citizens interested in storytelling.
Individuals creating original digital content about Indian districts.

Participants should submit authentic and creative content that represents local communities and district-level stories.

Types of Content Encouraged

Creators may develop videos showcasing:

Cultural festivals.
Local traditions.
Historical landmarks.
Tourism attractions.
Community achievements.
Local art forms.
Traditional knowledge.
Unique stories from districts.

Benefits for Participants

Selected creators can gain:

National visibility.
Recognition through government-supported platforms.
Opportunities to showcase creative skills.
Participation in India’s digital creator ecosystem.
Awards and financial support.

Tips for Creating Strong Entries

Creators can improve their submissions by:

Focusing on authentic local stories.
Highlighting unique district identities.
Using engaging storytelling techniques.
Presenting clear visuals and narratives.
Showing community participation.
Creating original and meaningful content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gems of India Challenge?

The Gems of India Challenge is a national digital storytelling initiative by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting that promotes grassroots creators by encouraging them to showcase India’s district-level stories.

Who can participate in the challenge?

Grassroots digital creators and citizens creating original digital content about Indian districts can participate.

What type of content can be submitted?

Participants can submit short videos highlighting culture, heritage, tourism, traditions, history, and achievements of Indian districts.

What is the video duration requirement?

Submitted videos should be between 1 and 3 minutes long.

How much prize money is available?

Awards range from ₹50,000 at the district level to ₹5 lakh at the national level.

Where can creators submit entries?

Entries can be submitted through the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform.

Which regions are included in the pilot phase?

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

Conclusion

The Gems of India Challenge 2026 provides a platform for grassroots creators to document and celebrate India’s diverse districts through digital storytelling. By supporting authentic local narratives, the initiative aims to strengthen the creative sector, promote cultural heritage, and build a connected community of digital storytellers across India.