The Create in India Challenge (CIC), launched as a flagship initiative under the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), is poised for a spectacular finale from 1st to 4th May 2025 at Jio World Centre, Mumbai. With registrations for all 32 challenges now officially closed, CIC has hit an extraordinary milestone: nearly 1 lakh entries, including 1,100+ international participants from over 60 countries. From this exceptional talent pool, 750 finalists will take the spotlight at Creatosphere, a specially curated showcase within WAVES 2025, celebrating creativity across animation, comics, AI, XR, gaming, music, and more. Winners will be honoured with the prestigious ‘WAVES Creator Awards’ during a glittering red-carpet ceremony on Day 2 of the summit. A Truly Global Showcase This year's Creatosphere will feature 43 international finalists from more than 20 nations, including Argentina, Nepal, Germany, Bermuda (BOT), the United States, Greece, Indonesia, the UK, Canada, Italy, Laos, Thailand, Tajikistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Russia, Maldives, Malaysia, and Japan. Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Tajikistan each contribute six finalists, followed by five each from Indonesia and Maldives, and four from Mauritius. One finalist each represents countries such as the UK, US, Russia, Argentina, Egypt, and others – a testament to CIC’s expanding international appeal. National Participation on a Grand Scale On the home front, CIC has received enthusiastic responses from all 28 Indian states and 8 Union Territories, highlighting the initiative’s extensive national footprint. Finalists represent a vibrant cross-section of India, from Assam and Meghalaya in the East to Gujarat in the West, and from Himachal Pradesh in the North to Kerala in the South. A Platform Fuelled by Young Creators The initiative is powered by a dynamic and youthful cohort – predominantly in their 20s – comprising university students, early-career professionals, and even teenage innovators. With the youngest finalist aged 12 and the oldest 66, the Challenge stands out as an inclusive platform celebrating creativity across age groups.