# India's creator economy becomes global media powerhouse

> YouTube India's MD Gunjan Soni says India's creator economy has evolved into a global media powerhouse, contributing over Rs 18,000 crore to GDP and creating nearly one million jobs.
- Title: India's creator economy becomes global media powerhouse
- Summary: YouTube India's MD Gunjan Soni says India's creator economy has evolved into a global media powerhouse, contributing over Rs 18,000 crore to GDP and creating…
- Keywords: india, creator economy, youtube india, gunjan soni, gdp, jobs, media powerhouse, ai in media, India's, creator, economy, becomes
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/indias-creator-economy-transforms-into-global-media-powerhouse-according-to-youtube-indias-md/articleshow/134976138.cms
- Author: ET Bureau
- Published: 2026-10-15T19:46:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: india, creator economy, youtube india, gunjan soni, gdp, jobs, media powerhouse, ai in media
## India's creator economy shifts
YouTube India MD Gunjan Soni says India's creator economy has moved beyond hobbyists to full-fledged media businesses.

> For years, the word 'creator' conjured up the image of a hobbyist running around with a selfie stick and a webcam somewhere.
## Economic impact grows
In 2025, YouTube's creative ecosystem contributed over rs 18,000 crore to india's gdp and supported nearly one million full-time jobs.
## Creator growth accelerates
About 200,000 indian channels began monetising for the first time last year, with seven-figure earners growing by 20%.
## Global cultural exports rise
Indian music and stories are reaching global audiences, as seen in marathi singer sanju rathore's track gulabi sadi.
## AI boosts creativity
AI tools deliver a 20% productivity boost for indian creative workers, potentially adding rs 75,000 crore to gdp and 360,000 jobs.
## Future priorities
YouTube India calls for capital, infrastructure, and policy support to help creators scale globally and monetise their work.
## Key takeaway

India's creator economy now generates over Rs 18,000 crore in GDP and supports nearly one million jobs, with creators scaling to full-fledged media businesses.