What 2026 Holds For India’s Music Industry: A Year Of Reckoning, Reset And Real Value

If the last few years in Indian music felt loud, crowded and algorithm-heavy, 2026 may finally be the year the industry pauses, recalibrates and grows up.

From an explosion of releases and creator noise to deeper questions around sustainability, monetisation and fairness, the Indian music business is entering what many leaders are calling a defining phase. Not just of growth, but of reckoning.

“2026 is the turning point for music,the year of reckoning for an industry undergoing deep change,” says Mandar Thakur, CEO, Times Music.

“There’s been a lot of loud noise in the marketplace. This year, ideally, will be creativity-led,as opposed to similar-sounding, random drops of music that have plagued us over the last couple of years.”

From Volume to Value

Streaming has democratised access, but it has also diluted focus. Thousands of tracks hit platforms daily, yet only a fraction truly break through. According to Thakur, the next phase demands intention,stronger music, clearer identities, and paid audiences.

“We’re anticipating subscription numbers moving upwards this year, and that’s necessary if music is to become a self-sustainable, paid, audience-led ecosystem,” he explains.

At Times Music, that shift is already underway. The label is scaling “sideways”,building new business verticals, expanding teams, and actively hiring hungry, talented people who can navigate a changing market. “Newer artists with strong personalities are finally getting their stages,” Thakur adds. “Hopefully, we’ll see stronger talent truly develop.”

The Rise of Hyper-Local, Creator-Led Ecosystems

Composer and music director Shamir Tandon believes the future isn’t just digital,it’s deeply cultural.

“In 2026, India’s music industry will redefine its rhythm,” he says, “powered by hyper-local content, creator-driven monetization, and tech-infused experiences that bridge tradition with tomorrow.”

For Tandon, success will no longer be measured purely by streaming numbers. “It’s about building ecosystems,where artists, audiences, and brands co-create cultural value.” In an era where regional music routinely goes national and niche sounds find global listeners, India’s diversity is no longer a side story,it’s the main plot.

Monetisation, Metadata and the Moment of Truth

Yet growth without fairness is fragile. And no one is more direct about that than Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS.

“The future of India’s music business will be defined by how effectively usage is converted into fair remuneration,” Nigam says. While growth in streaming and public performance is encouraging, long-term sustainability depends on paid subscriptions, transparent systems, accurate metadata and widespread compliance.

In 2025, licensing moved from a backroom discussion to a frontline industry issue. IPRS intensified nationwide vigilance, issuing hundreds of legal notices and securing court-backed orders across key markets including Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai against unlicensed public performance of music.

“This was not a seasonal exercise, but a necessary correction in an ecosystem where music generates commercial value while creators are often the last to be paid,” Nigam adds. “Responsible enforcement is not restrictive,it restores balance, dignity and fairness to creative work.”

Licensing, AI and the Future of Fair Growth

As the industry heads into 2026, licensing is set to become a defining marker of maturity.

“A growing economy cannot rely on voluntary compliance alone,” Nigam notes. “Public performance royalties crossing a historic milestone signal both opportunity and responsibility.”

With AI increasingly shaping music creation and distribution, Nigam stresses that innovation must not come at the cost of copyright. “The future lies in balance,embracing progress while protecting human creativity.”

Beyond the Metros

India’s music story is no longer written only in big cities. Regional artists, vernacular creators and cultural custodians are becoming central to the national narrative. In 2026, cultural diversity and regional representation will be as much business strengths as artistic values.

Industry systems,from licensing and metadata to promotion and discovery,will need to evolve to ensure creators from all geographies participate equitably in the growth story.

As the industry looks ahead, one message rings clear: 2026 will reward substance over speed, systems over noise, and creativity rooted in purpose.For Indian music, the next chapter isn’t just about being heard,it’s about being valued.