Mains GS2: GS2-15.Transaparency and accountability (institutional and other measures); Citizens Charter, E-Governance (applications, models, successes, limitations, potential)
Why in the News?
Prasar Bharati’s WAVES ecosystem is expanding digital public broadcasting through WAVES OTT, MyWAVES and Gems of India, linking public broadcasting with India’s creative economy.
Key Highlights
WAVES OTT launched on 20 November 2024 by Prasar Bharati.
Launched at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
Currently has 1.2 crore registered users, 1.5 crore+ downloads and 24,000+ titles.
Content available in 26+ languages; interface supports 10+ languages.
Reaches audiences in 130+ countries.
Offers 140+ TV channels and 220 radio services.
Carries all 35 Doordarshan satellite channels.
Provides 15,000 hours of content.
Content includes entertainment, education, news, culture, archives, e-books, magazines and live broadcasts.
WAVES OTT
A public-service OTT platform of Prasar Bharati.
Combines television, radio, streaming, learning and digital publications.
Key objectives:
Wider digital access
Cultural preservation
Linguistic diversity
Unlike commercial OTT platforms, it integrates information, education, culture, news and selected entertainment.
MyWAVES
Launched on 23 March 2026 within WAVES OTT.
Enables citizens to create, upload and share original content.
Supports:
Short videos
Vertical videos
Episodic content
Supports participation in programmes such as the Create in India Challenge.
Aims to provide greater visibility to regional creators and local talent.
Gems of India Challenge
Pilot launched on 21 July 2026 across 6 States/UTs.
Submissions accepted from 1-31 August 2026.
Videos had to be 1-3 minutes long.
Focus areas include:
Culture and heritage
Tourism and nature
Folk traditions and festivals
Handicrafts and handlooms
Regional cuisine
Local personalities and innovations
Expected to expand across all States and Union Territories.
WAVES Summit
World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is India’s global platform for the media and entertainment sector.
First edition held in Mumbai, 1-4 May 2025.
Covered broadcasting and infotainment, AVGC-XR, digital media and films.
WAVES 2025:
100+ countries
10,000+ delegates
1,000 creators
300+ companies
350+ start-ups
1 lakh+ participants
WAVES Declaration adopted by 77 countries.
WAVES Bazaar generated ₹1,328 crore in business transactions.
Prelims Quick Revision
WAVES OTT – launched 20 November 2024.
MyWAVES – launched 23 March 2026.
Gems of India pilot – launched 21 July 2026.
WAVES OTT has 1.2 crore registered users and 1.5 crore+ downloads.
WAVES OTT reaches 130+ countries and offers content in 26+ languages.
WAVES OTT carries 35 Doordarshan satellite channels.
WAVES Summit 2025 was held in Mumbai, 1-4 May 2025.
WAVES Declaration was adopted by 77 countries.
UPSC Prelims Trap
WAVES OTT vs MyWAVES: WAVES OTT is primarily the public-service digital broadcasting platform, while MyWAVES enables citizen-generated content.
WAVES vs WAVES OTT: WAVES refers to the broader World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit/ecosystem, while WAVES OTT is the Prasar Bharati digital platform.
Gems of India is a MyWAVES initiative, not a separate OTT platform.
Do not confuse WAVES OTT’s 35 Doordarshan satellite channels with its 140+ television channels overall.
