New Delhi, May 13, 2025 — In a move that underscores India’s growing influence in the global digital content landscape, YouTube announced today that it will invest ₹850 crore in the country over the next two years. The investment aims to strengthen the platform’s creator ecosystem, expand regional language content, and promote digital literacy across underserved areas.
This strategic investment was unveiled during the annual “YouTube India Summit” held in Mumbai, where Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, addressed creators, media professionals, and tech entrepreneurs. “India is not only one of our largest and most dynamic markets but also a global trendsetter. Our investment will help unlock new opportunities for millions of Indian creators, artists, and small businesses,” Mohan stated.
Driving the Creator Economy
India is YouTube’s largest audience base globally, with over 500 million monthly active users. According to a recent report by Oxford Economics, YouTube’s creator ecosystem contributed over ₹10,000 crore to the Indian GDP in 2023 and supported more than 750,000 full-time equivalent jobs. With the fresh investment, YouTube plans to increase funding for its Creator Accelerator Program, offer more monetization tools, and roll out localized training programs in regional languages.
“This move is a huge boost for young content creators in Tier-II and Tier-III cities who have the talent but lack resources,” said Prajakta Koli, one of India’s top YouTubers, during a panel discussion.
Strengthening Regional and Vernacular Content
A significant portion of the ₹850 crore will be directed towards developing regional content. YouTube will partner with educational institutions and media startups to promote content in languages such as Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Kannada. The initiative aims to break linguistic barriers and make high-quality digital content accessible to a wider population.
“Digital literacy is a fundamental right. We want to ensure that knowledge, entertainment, and economic opportunity reach every corner of India,” said Ishan John Chatterjee, Director of YouTube India.
Technology & Infrastructure Push
The investment will also focus on technological innovation, such as improving AI-driven content recommendations for regional viewers and enhancing the platform’s safety tools to protect users from misinformation. YouTube is collaborating with Indian tech startups and NGOs to introduce digital safety modules and content verification programs.
In addition, YouTube plans to build new creator studios in Hyderabad and Kolkata, equipped with state-of-the-art production facilities and editing suites. These will serve as community hubs for workshops, collaboration, and training.
Policy and Political Reception
The Indian government welcomed YouTube’s investment, citing its alignment with the ‘Digital India’ mission. Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated, “This is a vote of confidence in India’s digital economy. It reflects how platforms like YouTube can empower our youth, promote regional diversity, and create employment opportunities.”
Entertainment Industry Reactions
Bollywood and the Indian music industry have also expressed support. Music labels like T-Series and actors such as Ayushmann Khurrana praised YouTube’s commitment to promoting indie talent and regional music genres.
Conclusion
With its ₹850 crore investment, YouTube is poised to further entrench itself in India’s digital fabric—fueling the growth of creators, supporting regional diversity, and contributing to the nation’s broader digital economy. As content consumption continues to soar, this investment marks a transformative chapter in India’s internet story.
