YouTube CEO Neal Mohan delivered a major news announcement at WAVES 2025 Summit regarding the platform’s enhanced support for India’s creator economy. He announced that YouTube has already paid out ₹21,000 crore to creators and artists in India.
Further, Neal Mohan shared plans to invest ₹850 crore over the next two years to continue supporting India’s creator ecosystem. This development reflects YouTube’s deep commitment to enabling local talent to reach global audiences.
India’s Growing Creator Economy
India’s creator economy is increasing at a remarkable rate. More than 100 million Indian YouTube channels posted content last year, and channels that have over 1 million subscribers increased from 11,000 to 15,000. Obviously, India’s digital content space has huge potential.
YouTube is at the forefront of this growth, fueling the development of Indian creators by investing in their creativity and talent.
YouTube to Invest ₹850 Crore in Indian Talent
Neal Mohan also made an announcement of YouTube’s two-year ₹850 crore investment plan. This investment will be in training creators, boosting their creativity, and providing worldwide exposure. Indian creators will become more capable of reaching the world and honing their expertise.
YouTube’s investment is looking to make India a digital creator hub at the global level, benefiting the economy locally as well as empowering talent to prosper.
PM Modi’s Vision for India’s Creative Future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the WAVES Summit, emphasizing the need to create a global platform for talent. He stated, “Create in India, create for the world,” stressing that global audiences are eager for fresh and innovative storytelling—something India is uniquely capable of providing.
PM Modi’s vision highlights India’s growing influence in the creative industries and positions the country as a key player on the world stage.
Digital Talent and Responsibility
While India’s creator economy continues to grow, PM Modi also emphasized the need for creative responsibility. As technology becomes an inseparable part of everyday life, creators need to maintain a balance between innovation and human sensitivity. Doing so will not only ensure their reach, but they will also ensure societal values are maintained within their content.
India’s creator economy is fast growing, further highlighting India’s increasing digital power. With the help of YouTube and the initiatives of the government, Indian creators are on course for record success. As online talent continues to flourish, India will increasingly have a greater role to play in determining global narratives, all while upholding responsible content creation.
