Podcast Growth in Tier 2 Cities India: Jaipur Goes Hindi-First

Podcast growth in tier 2 cities India is not a distant prediction any more. Deloitte expects India’s podcast ecosystem to grow multi-fold over the next three to five years, and the real question for a Jaipur creator or business owner is how to take part in it, and in which language. We are Oskillo Studio in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, so this is our honest read of the numbers, plus what we know from running a studio every day.

One thing first. We could not find a clean city-by-city split of podcast listening for India. So we will tell you what the data supports, what it does not, and where we are giving our own view.

Key takeaways

• Deloitte expects Indian podcasting to grow multi-fold over three to five years, driven by mobile and youth users.
• Deloitte says this growth will enable regional language ecosystems, niche communities and creator-led media. It does not say Hindi is growing faster than English.
• Podcasting is turning video-first, and short clips are how new listeners find a show.
• Jaipur is a Tier 2 city, and local studios are now giving creators a reason to record at home base.
• Monetisation is still hard. Plan for trust and leads before sponsor income.

What does Deloitte’s 2026 forecast say about podcast growth in tier 2 cities India?

Deloitte’s TMT Predictions 2026 expects India’s podcast ecosystem to grow multi-fold over the next three to five years. It credits smartphones, affordable data and maturing digital habits. We found no city-tier breakdown in the coverage of the report, so any claim that Tier 2 cities alone drive podcast growth is an inference, not a Deloitte finding.

The starting point is low, which is why the headroom is large. According to coverage of the Deloitte findings, podcast consumption in India doubled within a year, yet adoption is about 12% against 47% monthly usage in the US. The growth drivers are mobile and young users.

Jaipur sits on the standard list of Tier 2 cities. That label matters less than a simple fact: your audience can be anywhere, but your credibility can start at home.

Why should Jaipur creators consider going Hindi-first?

A Hindi-first show makes sense for many Jaipur creators because their customers, clients and communities already speak Hindi, and a show in that language feels like a normal conversation. Deloitte says podcast growth will enable regional language ecosystems and niche communities. That supports the direction, though it does not prove Hindi is outgrowing English.

Deloitte’s global report calls podcasting a video-first, multilingual medium and names India, Nigeria and Brazil as emerging markets where localised and multilingual content is fuelling growth. So the case for regional language podcasts India is real, but it is a case about fit, not a race against English.

Here is our practical view. A Hindi business podcast works well when the guest is a shop owner, a doctor, a CA, a builder or a coaching teacher whose clients think in Hindi. They explain pricing, risks and mistakes the way they do across a desk. The trust it builds is hard to get from a polished English script. Ghar ki bhasha wins because people do not have to translate in their heads.

If you are just starting out, begin with a clear topic, a simple format and basic equipment.

Is the video podcast trend in India real?

Yes, the video podcast trend in India is real, and it matters most for discovery. Deloitte names three drivers of video podcast growth: integration into popular platforms, social clips that create virality, and a deeper creator-audience connection. A face and a short clip make a new show easy to find and easy to trust.

One caution on numbers. Deloitte data shows that video podcast consumers consume 1.5 times more content than listen-only audiences, but that figure is from the US, not India. Treat it as a direction, not a promise. Deloitte’s own note on video podcasts also links the format to social clips.

For a local creator, clip-led discovery works like this:

1. Record one full conversation with two or more camera angles, so you can cut between speakers.
2. Pick three or four moments that make sense on their own, such as a strong opinion, a number, or a mistake.
3. Cut them as vertical reels with captions and a clear cover frame.
4. Post the clips first and send viewers to the full episode.

What does the Jaipur podcast scene look like right now?

The Jaipur podcast scene is early and growing. Several studios in the city now advertise podcast recording, so you no longer have to record on a phone at home or travel to another city. No public data exists on Jaipur creator counts, listener numbers or Rajasthan show lists, and we will not make any up.

Here is our own view, and it is an opinion, not a statistic. A podcast studio in Jaipur matters less for the room than for the habit it builds. When a local doctor, builder or coaching teacher can book a slot near Vaishali Nagar and finish an episode in an afternoon, they publish more often. Consistency is what separates shows that grow from shows that stop at episode three.

The gap we see is local brands. A creator’s show is about the host’s personality. A brand’s show is about trust in a service, so it needs clear topics, a steady format and a person customers already recognise.

Hindi, Hinglish or Rajasthani: which language should a Jaipur brand pick?

Pick the language your customers use when they talk to you. For most Jaipur brands that is Hindi or Hinglish. Rajasthani suits culture, folk and community shows. Choose by audience, not trend, and keep captions readable in Hindi so the clips travel beyond the city.

If you are wondering how to start a Hindi podcast, begin with one language per episode and stay with it. You can test a Rajasthani episode later. Whatever you choose, watch how existing Hindi podcast channels on YouTube handle titles and thumbnails, then adapt the style to your own voice.

Can you make money from a Hindi podcast in India?

Yes, but slowly, and rarely from episode one. Deloitte notes that most Indian users prefer free, ad-supported or bundled experiences, and that CPMs in emerging markets remain low. Plan for leads and trust first, sponsors second.

According to Deloitte’s India analysis, hybrid models such as superfan memberships, branded content and live events are expected to grow, mainly through advertising and sponsorships. If you want to know how to monetise a Hindi podcast, these are the realistic routes:

• Your own business: every episode is a long, honest pitch that brings enquiries.
• Branded content: local brands pay for a conversation, not a banner.
• Sponsorships: these usually come once you show steady output and a clear audience.
• Events and memberships: useful when you have a loyal niche community.

On cost, the setup is modest. At our rates, a one-hour Economy Advance session is Rs 4,000, and the Complete Podcast Edit is Rs 10,000, so a full episode with reels and thumbnails comes to about Rs 14,000 for one hour of recording. See the podcast studio pricing in Jaipur page for all packs.

What this means for you: a checklist

If you want to ride podcast growth in tier 2 cities India, keep the plan small and repeatable. Decide your language, record several episodes before launch, and treat clips as your front door. You do not need a big budget, only a clear topic and a steady schedule.

1. Write one sentence on who the show helps and in which language.
2. Plan at least four episodes with questions ready before you book a studio.
3. Record with two cameras and a proper microphone for clean audio.
4. Cut three or four vertical clips per episode for podcast clips on Instagram Reels.
5. Post on a fixed day each week, even if the audience is small at first.
6. Judge the first 90 days on enquiries and trust, not on income.

At Oskillo: how we set up a Hindi-first video podcast in Jaipur

At Oskillo Studio in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, we set up a Hindi-first video podcast in four stages: concept, pre-production, production and post-production. Beginners are guided, and our founders are present at every shoot. You can rent the studio with or without editing.

In the concept and pre-production stage, we help you shape the topic and question flow, choose a set and check the mics, lights and cameras. We have rooms that are soundproof and acoustically treated, with themed sets from the Blue Theme and the classic wooden library to the grey vintage and office sets.

During production we record in 4K with multiple cameras and monitor live, giving on-the-spot guidance so a nervous first-time guest settles in. Business Class uses a Shure SM7B mic with a RODECaster Pro II console, and Economy Class uses a Shure MV7+ with a Zoom PodTrak P8 recorder. If you plan a home setup, the Shure SM7B mic and RODECaster Pro II console are what we use in Business Class.

Post-production covers the edit, colour, audio mastering, captions, thumbnails, reels and platform exports. If you are outside Jaipur, we also edit remotely. You do not need a studio to start a podcast, but a studio saves you months of trial and error. When you are ready, see our studio rental details or message us on WhatsApp to plan your first episode.

Some product links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, YTMahendra Podcast earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Is podcasting growing in India in 2026?

Yes. Deloitte’s TMT Predictions 2026 expects India’s podcast ecosystem to grow multi-fold over the next three to five years, helped by smartphones, affordable data and young users. Consumption reportedly doubled within a year, but adoption is still about 12%, so there is plenty of room to grow.

Which language is best for a podcast in India, Hindi or English?

Choose the language your audience uses in daily life. If you serve local customers in Jaipur or Rajasthan, Hindi or Hinglish usually feels more natural and builds trust faster. English suits national or global audiences. Deloitte says growth will enable regional language ecosystems, but it does not rank Hindi above English.

Do video podcasts get more views than audio?

Not guaranteed in India. Deloitte’s US data says video podcast consumers consume 1.5 times more content than listen-only audiences, and it links video growth to social clips and platform integration. In practice, video gives you clips, faces and easier discovery, which helps a new show get noticed.

Can you make money from a podcast in India?

You can, but it is slow. Most Indian users prefer free, ad-supported content, and Deloitte says CPMs in emerging markets are low. Branded content, memberships, live events and sponsorships are expected to grow. For most new shows, leads and credibility come before direct income.

Is there a podcast studio in Jaipur?

Yes. Oskillo Studio is on the 3rd Floor, VR Theme Park, Gandhi Path, Vaishali Nagar, near Mall of Jaipur. We offer soundproof rooms, themed sets, cameras, mics and editing. We are open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM, and booking in advance is recommended.

How much does it cost to record a podcast in Jaipur?

At Oskillo Studio, Economy Class Basic is Rs 2,000 per hour and Economy Advance, with 2 Sony 4K cameras, Shure mic, recorder, lights and a technician, is Rs 4,000 per hour. Business Class is Rs 4,000 (Basic) and Rs 8,000 (Advance) per hour.

Kya Hindi podcast shuru karne ke liye studio zaroori hai?

Zaroori nahi hai, but it helps. You can start at home with a decent mic and a quiet room. A studio gives you soundproofing, multi-camera video, lighting and a guide, which matters if you want clean clips for Reels and YouTube from the very first episode.