The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has invited proposals from industry associations, organisations and institutions for designing and executing industry-led challenges under the ‘Create in India Challenge’ (CIC) Season 2 for WAVES 2027, while launching a unified online portal for transparent, merit-based selection of challenges and executing entities.

The ministry, in an official statement yesterday, said more than 50 industry-led challenges are envisaged under CIC Season 2, with a special focus on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital and social media and the AVGC-XR sector.

Selected challenges may be eligible for a one-time grant of up to Rs.1 crore, subject to technical and financial evaluation and other conditions specified in the Invitation for Proposal (IFP) document.

According to the ministry, proposals have been invited from entities across the media and entertainment (M&E) sector for conceptualisation, design and execution of youth-oriented challenges under the flagship initiative of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES).

The first edition of WAVES, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, was held in May 2025 in Mumbai and attracted thousands of M&E sector people, including top executives from global companies.

The last date for submission of proposals through the online portal is July 31, 2026.

The ministry said CIC Season 2 aims to execute industry-led, government-supported challenges to identify and nurture creative talent, promote upskilling, capacity building, mentoring and training, encourage innovation, and create opportunities for collaboration across media and entertainment domains, including AI, AVGC-XR, digital media and other technology-driven creative sectors.

It said winners and winning outcomes from the challenges will be showcased at ‘CreatoSphere’ during WAVES 2027.

The proposed challenges can span diverse domains of the M&E industry, including AI, digital and social media, animation, VFX, online social gaming, e-sports, comics, XR/AR/VR, films, broadcasting, music and dance, as well as other emerging sectors.

The ministry said the one-time grant of up to Rs.1 crore per selected challenge will depend on factors such as proposal focus, outcome orientation, upskilling initiatives, grassroots outreach, technical and financial evaluation criteria, and the terms and conditions laid down in the IFP document.

Following the successful implementation of 33 industry-led challenges in CIC Season 1, the second season will focus on youth-oriented challenges, industry partnerships, grassroots outreach, structured mentoring, upskilling and outcome-driven initiatives to strengthen India’s creative ecosystem and advance the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Create in India, Create for the World’.