The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, through its startup accelerator platform WaveX, has launched the national AI innovation challenge “Kalaa Setu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat” to develop scalable, indigenous artificial intelligence solutions for multilingual multimedia content generation. The initiative invites India’s leading AI startups to build tools that can automatically convert official textual inputs into region-specific audio, video, and graphic content in multiple Indian languages, enabling citizen-centric communication and last-mile information delivery.
Kalaa Setu seeks to address the limitations of conventional content production methods by empowering public communication bodies to instantly create and disseminate regionally resonant material—such as infographic visuals, contextual video explainers, and audio capsules—that cater to varied linguistic, geographic, and demographic profiles. The initiative emphasises the creation of real-time solutions that support three key capabilities: text-to-video, text-to-audio, and text-to-graphics generation. These will enable official messages, such as exam notifications, weather alerts or health advisories, to reach citizens in accessible, engaging and linguistically appropriate formats.
The challenge also promotes emotional nuance and accent-aware voice synthesis, visual customisation, and data-driven graphic storytelling to enhance relatability and impact. AI tools developed through Kalaa Setu will be piloted with public broadcasters including All India Radio, Doordarshan and the Press Information Bureau.
Startups may apply via the WaveX portal (https://wavex.wavesbazaar.com) under the “Kalaa Setu” challenge category, and must submit a working Minimum Viable Concept (MVC) with a video demo by 30 July 2025. Finalists will present to a national jury in New Delhi. The winning startup will receive an MoU for full-scale development, pilot collaboration with public media outlets, and incubation support under the WaveX Innovation Platform.
The government also reiterated that startups can apply for the related “Bhasha Setu” real-time language translation challenge—launched on 30 June 2025—until 22 July 2025 via the same portal.
Together, Kalaa Setu and Bhasha Setu reflect the Government of India’s commitment to inclusive digital transformation, regional language empowerment, and AI-driven public service delivery. These challenges also underscore the role of WaveX, launched at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, as a national platform to accelerate innovation in media, entertainment and language technology through mentorship, hackathons, and partnerships with government and industry.
