Highlights & Key Takeaways (Add right after the main title)
- National Storytelling Movement: Ministry of I&B launches the pilot phase of the Gems of India Challenge on the MyWAVES platform to empower grassroots creators.
- Empowering the Orange Economy: Young storytellers will spotlight their district’s unique heritage, tourism, culture, and business achievements through 1-to-3-minute short videos.
- Massive Cash Rewards: Cash prizes structured across three levels — ₹50,000 at the District level (up to 20 creators), ₹2 Lakh at the State level, and ₹5 Lakh at the National level.
- Big Tech & Ground Support: Tech giants YouTube and Meta join as ecosystem partners, alongside Prasar Bharati, My Bharat, and local district administrations.
- Key Dates: The submission portal opens on August 1, 2026, and closes on August 31, 2026.
In a monumental push to decentralize digital media and empower India’s booming “Orange Economy,” the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) officially unveiled the pilot phase of the ‘Gems of India’ Challenge. Hosted on MyWAVES—the citizen-creator feature embedded within the government’s flagship WAVES OTT ecosystem—this nationwide competition is set to transform everyday smartphone storytellers into celebrated local chroniclers.
Conceived under the digital inclusion vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and driven forward by Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the initiative invites young creators to capture the soul, heritage, cuisine, tourism, and unsung heroes of their home districts through authentic short-form video content.
“Every district of India has a story waiting to be told, and Gems of India gives our creators the platform to tell it,” stated Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. “This is as much about celebrating our youth’s creativity as it is about celebrating the extraordinary diversity of our districts.”
Big Tech Ecosystems Join Forces for On-Ground Mobilisation
To ensure the movement penetrates every corner of the country, the Ministry has forged high-impact partnerships with global digital giants YouTube and Meta. Both tech platforms will actively plug into their creator ecosystems to amplify outreach, mentor grassroots talent, and drive participation.
On the ground, the initiative is anchored as a multi-tier collaborative effort between Prasar Bharati, My Bharat, and local State and District Administrations. Regional educational and cultural institutions will act as grassroots catalysts, assisting local youth with content development and submission.
The initial pilot rollout will cover six strategically chosen Union Territories and States viz Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa and Ladak.
Tiered Cash Rewards: From District Recognition to National Glory
To reward creative excellence, the ‘Gems of India’ Challenge has structured a lucrative three-tier award framework evaluated by independent jury panels comprising experts across culture, academia, media, and tourism:
- District Level: Up to 20 outstanding creators per district will be awarded ₹50,000 each.
- State Level: One exceptional standout creator from each district will claim a State-level prize of ₹2 Lakh.
- National Level: As the initiative transitions into its full nationwide expansion post-pilot, top state entries will compete for prestigious National Awards carrying a prize purse of ₹5 Lakh each.
How to Enter: Submission Window & Guidelines
For budding creators based in the pilot regions looking to turn their local stories into national headliners, the entry mechanism is straightforward:
- Video Format: Original short video content ranging between 1 to 3 minutes.
- Themes: Local district culture, historical heritage, tourism hotspots, traditional arts, regional cuisine, or distinctive community achievements.
- Submission Portal: Submissions must be uploaded directly via the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT app/platform.
- Key Dates: The submission window officially opens on August 1, 2026, and closes on August 31, 2026.
Following the completion of this pilot phase, the Ministry plans to refine the framework using operational insights before rolling out the ‘Gems of India’ Challenge across all States and Union Territories, cementing digital storytelling as a bedrock of regional pride and economic opportunity.
