India Wants Its Own YouTube—Desi Video Revolution Begins!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government is reportedly exploring homegrown alternatives to YouTube, but as of late 2025, there’s no official government-backed platform announced as a direct competitor. However, several developments suggest a growing interest in building indigenous video ecosystems.

Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi, in a recent media interaction, hinted that India could consider building its own video-sharing platform, aligning with the Prime Minister’s call for digital self-reliance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently emphasized the vision of a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat), encouraging the development of indigenous digital platforms. Recently, Zoho launched a WhatsApp alternative called Arattai, which has already garnered massive download before public announcement of the launch. 

This isn’t an official announcement, but the hint suggests a desire to reduce dependence on foreign platforms for creator monetization and public broadcasting.

This also suggests the potential for a government-backed or public-private video platform focused on Indian languages, creators, and compliance with Indian regulations.

• Context: India's YouTube Landscape
  • YouTube dominates India’s digital video space, with over 650 million monthly Shorts viewers and 75 million Connected TV users.
  • Indian audiences increasingly treat YouTube as “India’s New TV,” blending entertainment, education, and commerce.
• Government & Strategic Push
  • Digital sovereignty: India has previously promoted indigenous platforms in social media (e.g., Koo vs Twitter) and e-commerce.
  • Content regulation: Concerns over foreign platform algorithms, monetization, and moderation have prompted calls for Indian-controlled alternatives.
  • Public sector media: Prasar Bharati and other government broadcasters have expanded digital presence, but not yet launched a full-fledged YouTube rival.
• Private Sector & Startups
  • Chingari and Roposo (short-form video)
  • Stage (regional-language content)
  • ShareChat’s Moj (creator-driven entertainment)
  • These platforms focus more on short-form and regional content, not full-scale video hosting like YouTube.

YouTube vs Indian Video Platforms

Platform	Type of Content	Audience Reach	Monetization Model	Strategic Focus
YouTube	Long-form, Shorts, Live	Global (650M+ in India)	Ads, Super Chat, Memberships	Creator economy, global discovery
Chingari	Short-form, regional	200M+ downloads	Crypto-based rewards (GARI)	Web3, creator monetization
Moj (ShareChat)	Short-form, entertainment	300M+ monthly users	Ads, brand partnerships	Regional language, mass appeal
Roposo	Short-form, influencer-led	100M+ users	Creator commerce, ads	Fashion, lifestyle, influencer economy
Stage	Regional-language OTT	Growing in Tier 2/3	Subscription-based	Hyperlocal content, cultural storytelling
JioCinema	Premium OTT + Shorts	500M+ installs	Ads, freemium	Sports, Bollywood, mass entertainment

Google India’s Brandcast 2025 showcased YouTube’s dominance in India, indirectly prompting speculation about local alternatives due to its massive reach.