India’s Media & Creative Economy
- Context: Union Minister of Railways of India unveiled three new initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s media, broadcasting, and digital sector and promoting the “orange economy”, or the creative economy.
- The creative economy includes industries where economic value is generated primarily from creativity, culture, technology, and intellectual property.
The three initiatives are
- National AI Skilling Initiative in partnership with Google and YouTube through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT)
- MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT
- Advanced Electronic Programme Guide and in-built satellite tuners in television sets for enhancing access to DD Free Dish services.
Current Facts- Part V, Article 82- Readjustment after each census
- The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, mandates a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008
- Companies Act, 2013
National AI Skilling Initiative-
- This initiative is being implemented through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), and is aimed at strengthening AI capabilities in areas such as animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC) and media technology.
- The curriculum will include modules on the art of storytelling, YouTube best practices, and advanced training using AI tools such as Gemini 3, Nano Banana, Veo, and Vertex AI.
- The initiative will support creators, media professionals, students and developers in building future-ready skills and contribute to India’s emergence as a global hub for digital content and innovation.
MyWAVES
- MyWaves, a new feature within the WAVES OTT platform that will enable citizens to create, upload and share content.
- MyWaves is designed as a structured platform for user-generated content (UGC) that will also support participation in national initiatives such as the Create in India Challenge.
- The platform marks a shift from content viewing to active content participation, making WAVES OTT a platform not only for viewing but also for creation.
- MyWaves will support multiple formats including short videos, vertical videos and episodic content, and will offer a multilingual interface across Indian languages.
- MyWAVES is expected to serve as an important platform for emerging creators and storytellers from across the country
Advanced EPG & In-built Satellite Tuner in Television Sets
- The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has introduced television sets with built-in satellite tuners along with a new, user-friendly programme guide (EPG).
- With this initiative, viewers will be able to watch DD Free Dish channels directly on their television sets without the need for a separate set-top box, thereby reducing additional costs, wiring, and the hassle of multiple remotes.
- The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is leading these efforts as part of its commitment to promoting the ‘Orange Economy’, strengthening public broadcasting along with improved accessibility, and building an AI skilled, future ready workforce for the M&E Sector.
- Prasar Bharati continues to play a key role in improving public broadcasting, while IICT will drive the AI skilling programme for the creative sector, and WAVES OTT will provide a platform for citizen participation and content creation including dovetailing of the Create in India challenge.
Current Facts
- The Supreme Court has said that the right to life granted under Article 21 of the constitution applies to foreigner as well.
- As per the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, the Election Commission of India is the sole authority empowered to resolve disputes regarding party symbols.
Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme- Context: The Government has revised the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS) to provide enhanced support to MSME manufacturers and exporters, in alignment with the Budget 2025-26 provisions.
About MCGS
- Launched: January 2025
- Purpose: Provide credit guarantee support to MSMEs for purchasing equipment/machinery
- Guarantee Coverage: 60% by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited
- Credit Limit: Up to ₹100 crore per eligible MSME
- Beneficiaries: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
Key Modifications
- Upfront Contribution: Refundable 5% upfront contribution, with 1% refundable each from 4th year onwards, subject to loan performance
- Eligibility Expansion: Now includes Service Sector MSMEs
- Project Cost for Machinery/Equipment: Minimum cost requirement reduced to 60% of project cost (earlier 75%)
- Guarantee Tenure: Guarantee valid for 10 years
Special Provisions for Exporters
- Eligible Units: Profitable exporters with at least 25% of sales turnover from exports in each of the last 3 years, meeting export realisation criteria
- Guaranteed Loan Amount: ₹20 crore
- Upfront Contribution: 2% of loan (max ₹40 lakh), refundable 1% each in 4th & 5th year
- Guarantee Coverage: 75% of defaulted amount
- Guarantee Fee: 1st year: Nil, Subsequent years: 0.50% of loan outstanding
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