I&B Ministry
Publications Division puts 227 e-books, India Year Book free on WAVES platform
Journals and job weekly go digital on WAVES, expanding access nationwide
NEW DELHI: In a move that blends public knowledge with digital ease, the Publications Division has released 227 e-books, including the widely referenced India Year Book, for free access on the WAVES OTT platform.
The initiative, rolled out in collaboration with Prasar Bharati, also brings flagship journals such as Yojana, Kurukshetra, Aajkal and Bal Bharati, along with the weekly Employment News, onto the digital platform at no cost. The aim is simple yet significant: make credible, insightful content available to anyone with a screen and curiosity.
These publications have long held a reputation for unpacking socio-economic issues, rural development, literature and education in an accessible way. Employment News, in particular, continues to serve as a dependable guide for job seekers, offering updates on vacancies, recruitment notices, career advice and skill-building opportunities.
Beyond journals, the platform now hosts a diverse library of e-books spanning multiple genres. At the centre of this collection is the India Year Book, known for its comprehensive overview of the country’s governance, economy and development landscape.
The digital push is far from over. The Publications Division plans to add around 300 more e-books by the end of April, this time at nominal prices to keep them affordable while sustaining the publishing ecosystem.
For those who still prefer the feel of paper, the initiative also bridges the online-offline divide. Printed titles can now be purchased via the WAVES platform through the CSC Grameen eStore, enabled by the ONDC framework. Currently, 524 physical books are available, with delivery extending to rural and remote areas.
By combining free digital access, low-cost content and physical availability, the Publications Division is building a reading ecosystem that meets audiences where they are. For readers across India, it is one more reason to swap idle scrolling for informed browsing.
I&B Ministry
Doordarshan, ICCR sign MoU to boost global reach of Indian culture
Pact taps TV, radio and digital platforms to take cultural content worldwide
NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at taking India’s cultural story further across borders, Doordarshan under Prasar Bharati has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content.
The agreement, signed on April 7 at Doordarshan Bhawan, brings together the content strength of ICCR and the wide broadcast network of Doordarshan, spanning television, radio and digital platforms.
Under the partnership, ICCR will provide a steady stream of cultural programming, including performances and events organised by Indian missions abroad such as embassies, consulates and cultural centres. Doordarshan will handle production, coverage and distribution, ensuring that these programmes find audiences not just in India but across the world.
The collaboration also opens the door for recorded cultural content from overseas missions to be aired across multiple platforms, including OTT and social media, making Indian art, music and heritage more accessible to global viewers.
A notable feature of the MoU is joint ownership of content rights in perpetuity, including digital rights. This allows both organisations to archive and reuse material over time, building a long-term cultural repository while maximising reach. Doordarshan will also support pre-event promotion and cross-platform visibility to drive engagement.
Speaking at the signing, Doordarshan director general K. Satish Nambudiripad and Indian Council for Cultural Relations director general K. Nandini Singla highlighted the potential of the partnership to strengthen India’s cultural diplomacy through modern media channels.
The agreement, initially valid for three years, also allows Doordarshan to explore monetisation opportunities from the content generated, adding a commercial layer to cultural broadcasting.
As India looks to blend tradition with technology, this partnership signals a clear intent to make its cultural voice not just heard, but seen and streamed across the globe.
