Standfirst: Radio is no longer how most Indian listeners discover indie music, but it still reaches people streaming doesn't: commuters, small towns and older listeners. It also counts for a lot in a press kit. The catch is that commercial FM and community radio work completely differently. Here's who decides what gets played, how to pitch each kind of station, and what to prepare first.

The radio landscape in 2026, by the numbers

  • Private FM: the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) listed 390 operational private FM channels as of 30 March 2026 (MIB, operational private FM channels). An updated list dated 15 September 2026 is also published (MIB notice). The networks are familiar names: Radio Mirchi, Radio City, Red FM, Big FM, Fever, MY FM, Radio Mango, Club FM and others.
  • Community radio: MIB told the Lok Sabha in August 2026 that 565 community radio stations (CRS) are commissioned, and that the support scheme has been extended to 2030-31 with a Rs 50 crore outlay (Lok Sabha unstarred Q. 2958, 5 Aug 2026). MIB publishes the station-wise list (commissioned CRS as on 31.07.2026).
  • Public broadcaster: All India Radio / Akashvani, run by Prasar Bharati.
  • Online and college radio: internet stations and campus radio, which are often the most open to new independent music.

Commercial FM: be realistic

Commercial FM in India mostly runs on film and label music, with playlists set centrally by programming teams. Radio Mirchi has no public self-service form for adding a track to on-air rotation. Songs usually arrive through labels, distributors or established industry channels (summary of Mirchi's process). That's the same pattern we see across networks.

Where independents do get through:

  • Indie and specialist shows. Several networks have run independent-music segments, late-night shows or regional-language slots hosted by RJs with some say over what they play. Pitch the show and the RJ, not the station's generic inbox.
  • Regional stations. A Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi or Northeast act has a much better chance with a station in its home market than with a national playlist.
  • News hooks. A festival slot, a big sync, or a story about your city gives an RJ something to talk about on air. A press mention helps here. See how to get covered by an indie music magazine.
  • Your distributor or label. Some Indian distributors and labels have radio relationships. Ask yours directly whether they service FM, and what it costs. Our distributor comparison is a starting point.

Be wary of anyone selling guaranteed FM airplay. Paid placements are often ad slots, not editorial rotation. They should be labelled as such, and they rarely build an audience.

Community radio: the most open door

Community radio stations are run by non-profit groups and educational institutions for a local area. Policy requires at least 50% of content to be made with community participation, preferably in the local language or dialect (Lok Sabha reply; CRS policy guidelines). So a local artist singing in the local language is exactly what many of them want.

Some stations publish a way to submit. Radio MGIRI 90.4 FM in Wardha, for example, invites people to share stories and music through a form or WhatsApp, followed by an approval step (Radio MGIRI).

How to approach community radio:

  1. Download MIB's CRS list and filter it by your state and district.
  2. Shortlist stations near your hometown, your language region or the places you tour.
  3. Offer more than an MP3: a short interview, a live acoustic session, or a song tied to a local festival or cause.
  4. Be patient and polite. Many stations are run by small teams or volunteers.

Online, campus and international radio

Internet stations, college radio and diaspora shows abroad usually have published submission routes and play independent music by design. They won't move streaming numbers on their own, but a play is a credit you can quote, and the hosts often write and share playlists too. If you're aiming outside India, look for shows that focus on South Asian music in the cities where your listeners live. Your Spotify for Artists and YouTube analytics will tell you which cities those are.

Prepare before you pitch

  • Radio edit. Make a version around 3 to 3.5 minutes long, with a short intro (vocals or hook within about 15 seconds) and a clean fade or cold end.
  • Clean version. Remove profanity and anything that could create a compliance problem for a broadcaster.
  • Broadcast-quality file. A WAV, plus a high-bitrate MP3 for convenience. Embed the metadata: title, artist, composer, lyricist, label, ISRC.
  • One-sheet. Two lines about who you are, why this song matters now, your city, language, release date, and links. That's essentially a slimmed-down electronic press kit.
  • A release plan. Pitch two to four weeks before release, so a play lines up with your launch. See releasing and distributing music in India.

A pitch template

Subject: [Language] indie single for [Show name] — [Artist], [City], out [date] Hi [RJ/producer name], I've been listening to [show] — [one specific line]. My new song "[Title]" is a [genre] track about [hook in one line]. Radio edit (3:20, clean) and WAV: [link]. Happy to do a short phone interview or acoustic session. — [Name, phone]

Keep it short and personal. One follow-up after a week is enough.

Royalties: make sure a play pays

Radio pays royalties on two layers:

  • Composition (song): collected by IPRS for registered authors, composers and publishers.
  • Sound recording (master): licensed by bodies such as PPL and Novex for their members' recordings.

If you aren't registered, a play earns you exposure but no money. Our IPRS, PPL and Novex guide explains who collects what. Make sure your co-writer splits are agreed and registered consistently (see our split sheet guide) so the royalties reach the right people.

Is radio worth it?

Treat radio as a credibility and regional-reach channel, not your main growth engine. For most independent acts, streaming playlists (Spotify pitching), YouTube, live shows and press will do more. Radio is worth the effort when you have a strong regional-language song, a local story, or a show built around your genre.

Discography is an independent music magazine covering that whole ecosystem. Find more in the Indian indie and independent music hubs and our city pages for Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune.

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FAQ (FAQPage schema)

Can I submit my song directly to Radio Mirchi? There's no public self-service form for on-air rotation. Commercial FM playlists are programmed internally, usually through labels and distributors. Independents do better pitching specialist shows and RJs, or regional stations.

How many FM and community radio stations are there in India? MIB listed 390 operational private FM channels as of 30 March 2026, and 565 commissioned community radio stations as of August 2026.

Is community radio good for independent musicians? Yes, especially for local-language artists. Community stations must create at least half their content with community participation, and many welcome local music, interviews and sessions.

Do I get paid when radio plays my song? Yes, if you're registered. IPRS collects for the composition and bodies such as PPL and Novex for the recording.

Should I pay for guaranteed radio airplay? Be cautious. Paid placements are usually advertising, not editorial rotation, and rarely build a lasting audience.

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