India’s Music Industry Is Booming: Streaming Leads The Next Wave Of Growth

India’s music industry is in the middle of an unprecedented boom, fuelled by rapid digital adoption, a mobile-first audience, and a new generation of artists building global fanbases through streaming.

The rise of platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and others has fundamentally transformed the ecosystem. Clear royalty frameworks, artist education programs, and worldwide exposure have helped Indian artists scale faster than ever. Between 2019 and 2023, international streams of Indian artists jumped by more than 2,000%, signalling a global appetite for homegrown music.

In 2024, Indian artists were discovered 11.2 billion times by first-time listeners, while royalty payouts more than doubled since 2022. Today, nearly two-thirds of all royalties generated in India come from local artists.

With India now the world’s second-largest streaming market, the country is expected to touch 471 billion streams by December 2025 ,with Indian music making up 78% of consumption.

Streaming Dominates as Global Platforms Reshape the Market

YouTube continues to lead with 462 million users, while Spotify commands the largest paying subscriber base at 3 million. Apple Music has strengthened its presence through telecom partnerships. Together, these platforms are fuelling monetisation, global reach, and career sustainability for artists.

India recorded 1.03 trillion on-demand streams in 2023, second only to the United States. However, monetisation still lags behind global markets, with the industry valued at Rs 2,798 crore in 2022 and projected to reach Rs 5,439 crore in 2024. Despite massive consumption, revenue per user remains significantly lower than Western and Chinese markets.

A Fast-Expanding Industry With Strong Growth Ahead

The Indian music industry is on track to reach Rs 6,000 crore in 2025 and Rs 7,800 crore in 2026, growing at a CAGR of 13.4%. Alongside this, an informal parallel music economy , including indie artists, local bands, and street performers — is estimated to be worth a staggering Rs 10 lakh crore.

Digital licensing remains the backbone of the business, contributing 62% of revenues in 2024. Performance royalties have emerged as a major bright spot: IPRS reported collections of Rs 700 crore in 2024–25, up 42% year-on-year, driven by streaming from Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

What’s Powering India’s Music Boom

-Rise of artist-led and regional music:Regional markets ,particularly Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada , are reshaping national charts, reducing dependence on film music.

-More avenues for monetisation:Live shows, branded content, fan communities, merchandise, and digital fan engagement now supplement streaming income.

-Youth-first consumption:Gen-Z and millennials dominate listening with personalised, AI-driven recommendations shaping trends across platforms.

-Untapped subscription potential:With 550 million YouTube users and rising global streams, India is poised for a major jump in premium streaming.

Together, these factors are driving 30–50% annual growth, placing India among the most promising music markets in the world.

Shifting Consumption Patterns and the Rise of Regional Sounds

A mobile-first audience is transforming how music is discovered and consumed. AI-powered recommendations, short-form video integration, and always-on listening habits are shaping a dynamic, highly personalised music economy. Regional music is exploding: platforms like Gaana report a 96% rise in local-language streams and a 112% increase for Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada tracks.

Bollywood continues to dominate overall share ,contributing nearly 80% of consumption , but independent and non-film music is surging, supported by digital platforms and post-pandemic live performance revival.

A Prime Market for Investment and Innovation

India offers vast investment potential in regional content, artist services, AI-led licensing, and music-tech. With 200 million active content creators producing millions of videos each month, the absence of structured licensing leaves Rs 8,000–10,000 crore unmonetised annually. Micro-licensing, AI-based rights systems, and streamlined copyright practices could unlock significant new revenue.

India stands at the cusp of a music revolution. With streaming growth, rising performance royalties, global fanbases, and a thriving creator economy, the country is fast emerging as a global music hub. The future of Indian music will be shaped by digital-first strategies, artist empowerment, tech integration, and a booming regional landscape ,positioning India as one of the world’s most exciting cultural and commercial music markets.