RAJ.SHAMANI

Guide · ~14 min read

How to Start a Podcast in India

A founder-friendly playbook on equipment, recording, distribution, guests, and monetization — drawn from what's working at Figuring Out, one of India's most-watched business podcasts.

1. Why podcast in India, why now

India crossed 200M+ monthly podcast listeners in 2025, and YouTube is the #1 podcast platform in the country — not Spotify. Vernacular consumption (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi) is growing ~3× faster than English. That means a new Indian podcaster can build a six-figure audience in 12–18 months on a budget under ₹2 lakh, something unimaginable five years ago.

2. Pick your niche & format

Don't start with "a podcast". Start with one specific listener and one repeatable format. Ask:

  • Who exactly is this for? "Indian D2C founders doing ₹1–10 Cr" beats "entrepreneurs".
  • What format compounds? Solo, co-host, interview, or narrative. Interviews scale fastest in India because guests bring their own audience.
  • How long? 30–60 min long-form for YouTube + 60–90 sec clips for Reels and Shorts.

3. Equipment that's actually worth it

Most first-time podcasters massively overspend. A working starter kit for an Indian studio (2026 pricing):

  • Microphone: Samson Q2U (~₹9k), Rode PodMic (~₹13k), or Shure MV7 (~₹22k).
  • Audio interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo or Rodecaster Duo if you're going pro.
  • Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x or Sony MDR-7506.
  • Camera (video-first): Sony ZV-E10 or any modern phone on a tripod — quality of light matters more than camera body.
  • Acoustic treatment: 4 foam panels + a thick rug beats a ₹2 lakh "studio" with bad acoustics.

4. Recording & editing workflow

For remote guests use Riverside.fm or Zencastr — they record local high-quality tracks per participant. For editing, Descript (transcript-based editing) is the fastest learning curve; Adobe Audition or Logic Pro for finer control. Always export at -16 LUFS for Spotify and -14 LUFS for YouTube.

5. Distribution stack

The Indian podcast distribution ladder in 2026 — ship to every channel from day one, then double down on what works:

  1. YouTube — the #1 podcast destination in India. Upload full episodes + clips.
  2. Spotify + Apple Podcasts — table stakes via a host like Spotify for Podcasters, Buzzsprout, or Hubhopper.
  3. JioSaavn, Gaana, Amazon Music — meaningful for vernacular and tier-2/tier-3 reach.
  4. Instagram Reels + YouTube Shorts + LinkedIn — where new listeners actually discover you.
  5. WhatsApp + email newsletter — your owned channel for the loyal 10%.

6. Sourcing & booking guests

Guests are your acquisition channel. The order that works:

  • Episodes 1–10: Your direct network. Don't chase celebrities you've never met.
  • Episodes 10–40: Peer trades — go on shows your size, invite their hosts on yours.
  • Episodes 40+: Cold outreach with proof — send specific episode links, a one-line value prop, and a single proposed date. Most "no"s are actually "wrong time".

7. Growth & clip strategy

Long-form builds depth; short-form builds reach. The discipline that compounds:

  • Cut 3–5 vertical clips per episode (30–90 sec) with captions baked in.
  • Post clips on Reels, Shorts, and LinkedIn on a fixed schedule for 90 days before judging.
  • Write a 2-line hook in Hindi or your guest's primary language — vernacular hooks routinely 3–5× English engagement in India.
  • Reply to every comment in week one of an episode launch — the algorithm rewards it.

8. Monetization in India

A realistic Indian monetization stack, in the order it should turn on:

  1. YouTube AdSense — kicks in at 1,000 subs + 4,000 hours. ₹50–200 RPM is typical.
  2. Brand integrations — the biggest line for Indian podcasters. Price by audience quality, not just downloads.
  3. Live shows & events — Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi tour stops with ticketed access.
  4. Paid community / cohort — once you've crossed ~10k loyal listeners.
  5. Own products — books, courses, or a venture you can talk about authentically (see Raj Shamani's Build Don't Talk and House of X).

9. Mistakes to avoid

  • Launching with a ₹3 lakh studio before you've published 10 episodes.
  • Audio-only in 2026 — you're leaving 70%+ of Indian discovery on the table.
  • Inconsistent schedule. One episode a week, same day, for a year beats a "launch" with five episodes.
  • Chasing big-name guests too early. They don't move the needle without an audience to receive them.
  • No clip team. If you can only afford one hire, hire a clip editor before a producer.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a podcast in India in 2026?+

A serious starter setup runs ₹25,000–₹75,000: mic (₹9–22k), audio interface (₹10–20k), headphones (₹8–12k), basic acoustic treatment (₹5–10k). You do not need a ₹3 lakh studio to publish your first 10 episodes.

Which is the best podcast platform in India — YouTube or Spotify?+

YouTube is the #1 podcast destination in India by a wide margin, especially for long-form and vernacular content. Publish full episodes on YouTube and syndicate audio to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and JioSaavn as table stakes.

How do Indian podcasters make money?+

The realistic stack is YouTube AdSense first, then brand integrations (the largest line for most Indian podcasters), followed by live shows, paid communities, and owned products like books or courses.

How long does it take to grow a podcast in India?+

With a weekly schedule, 3–5 clips per episode, and consistent guest booking, most niche Indian podcasts hit a meaningful audience in 12–18 months. Consistency beats production value in year one.

Do I need to podcast in Hindi to grow in India?+

Not required, but vernacular hooks, titles, and clips routinely 3–5× engagement over English-only. At minimum, write Hindi (or your guest's primary language) captions and thumbnails.

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