India has recorded an impressive 357 percent growth in royalty collections since 2020, with collections crossing Rs. 7 billion in FY24-25, positioning the country among the fastest-growing music markets globally.

The achievement has been spotlighted in the 2025 Global Report released by CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers), with The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) taking centre stage in steering this transformation.

As per a press release issued today, the IPRS welcomed the CISAC Annual Report 2025, which not only celebrates India’s massive growth in royalty revenues but also reiterates a strong global call for ethical AI regulation in the creative industry. The report underlines the urgent need to protect creators’ rights amidst rapid technological evolution and signals a push for fair remuneration and sustainable industry practices.

IPRS, India’s leading copyright society for music, has been instrumental in this growth story, offering structured guidance to music users and creators while lobbying for a robust legal ecosystem for copyright compliance. The report credits IPRS’s ongoing collaboration with CISAC in formulating a strategic roadmap to propel India into the top 10 creative economies globally. As part of this vision, the Society is focusing on streamlining digital collections, addressing gaps in non-digital revenue streams, and upgrading its licensing and royalty distribution mechanisms.

Legendary lyricist and IPRS Chairman Javed Akhtar commented on the milestone, “A society that cherishes music must ensure that its creators are not forgotten in the shadows of technology and commerce. The significant rise in royalty collections is more than a number—it is a reflection of growing awareness around intellectual property, fair value for creative work, and the need for compliance across the industry. Yet, many challenges remain—as music travels far and wide in the digital age and AI presents new threats. Our mission is far from over.”

Akhtar stressed that educating creators about their rights and ensuring ethical use of their work are now paramount. “As a body representing those behind the music, we at IPRS are committed to protecting the rights of every music creator, addressing systemic gaps, and building an ecosystem where creativity is respected, rewarded, and rightfully owned,” he added.

CISAC President and ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus also highlighted the urgency of regulating generative AI, noting, “We are living through an era of unprecedented transformation. Nowhere is this more evident than in the rise of generative AI—a force that raises fundamental questions about the nature of authorship and creativity. Protecting creators’ rights in no way means trying to stop the advance of technology. It means embracing and licensing AI tools in a safe, legal environment.”

Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS, said the record-breaking growth in royalty revenues marks a turning point in India’s music economy. “At IPRS, we are proud to lead this transformation—empowering creators, strengthening systems, and working with global partners to raise the standards of copyright governance. As technology reshapes the creative landscape, it is critical that innovation does not come at the cost of artistic integrity.”

One of the key highlights in the report is IPRS’s participation in a pilot project to link ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) with ISRC (International Standard Recording Code), an initiative aimed at improving accuracy and speed in royalty payments for Indian creators.

CISAC’s accompanying Global Economic Study, developed with PMP Strategy, warns of a potential 24 percent revenue loss for music creators by 2028 if regulations surrounding AI-generated content are not enacted. In response, IPRS has endorsed CISAC’s call for transparency in AI training data, mandatory authorisation before usage of creative works, and fair compensation mechanisms.

The full CISAC Annual Report 2025 is available on the IPRS website: Click here to read the report