MIB launches creator challenge with prizes of up to Rs 5 lakh
The challenge is part of the government’s push to discover and nurture grassroots creators while encouraging hyperlocal storytelling
by
Published: Jul 22, 2026 8:34 AM | 2 min read
Follow Us
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched the pilot phase of the Gems of India Challenge, aimed at awarding digital creators for showcasing their district's stories, culture, and heritage through short-form videos.
- The initiative, hosted on the MyWAVES platform, will accept entries from August 1 to August 31, focusing on districts in select regions including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh.
- Creators can submit 1 to 3-minute videos, with a three-tier reward structure offering up to Rs 50,000 for district-level winners and Rs 2 lakh for state-level awards, culminating in a national award of Rs 5 lakh.
- The program aims to foster grassroots storytelling and celebrate India's diverse cultural heritage, with plans for expansion across all states and Union Territories following the pilot's success.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has launched the pilot phase of the Gems of India Challenge, a nationwide initiative that will award up to Rs 5 lakh to digital creators who showcase the stories, culture and heritage of their districts through short-form videos.
The challenge, hosted on the MyWAVES platform under WAVES OTT, is part of the government's push to discover and nurture grassroots creators while encouraging hyperlocal storytelling. Entries will be accepted from August 1 to August 31, with the programme expected to expand across all states and Union Territories after the pilot phase.
Participants are required to submit 1 to 3-minute videos highlighting the unique identity of their districts through the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform.
The pilot phase will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, and Ladakh.
The ministry has announced a three-tier reward structure. Up to 20 creators in each district will receive Rs 50,000 each, followed by state-level awards of Rs 2 lakh. During the nationwide rollout, the best creators will compete for national awards worth Rs 5 lakh.
Launching the initiative, Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said, "Every district of our country has a story waiting to be told. The Gems of India Challenge provides creators with a platform to tell those stories through their own unique perspectives. This initiative is as much about celebrating the creativity of our youth as it is about celebrating the extraordinary diversity of India's districts."
The ministry said the programme is designed to build a network of local storytellers and encourage the creation of authentic digital content that showcases India's cultural heritage, traditions and lesser-known destinations. Based on the pilot's success, the initiative will be rolled out across all states and Union Territories.
Read more news about Influence Zone, Marketing, PR and Corporate Communication, Internet Advertising, People Movement
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube & Google News