TikTok has been banned in India since June 2020, meaning Indian creators currently cannot earn directly from TikTok's Creator Rewards Program or access the platform domestically. Before the ban, TikTok had more than 200 million users in India -- its largest market outside China -- and Indian creators earned estimated RPMs of ₹0.20 to ₹0.80 per 1,000 views. With reports of a potential TikTok return to India in 2025-2026, this guide covers historical earnings data, current alternatives, and projected earnings if the platform relaunches.
India's massive population and rapidly growing digital economy made it TikTok's most promising market before the ban. This guide provides the complete picture for Indian creators: what TikTok paid before June 2020, what alternatives exist today, and what earnings by country data suggests about potential future payouts.
Key Findings
TikTok was banned in India by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on June 29, 2020, citing national security and data privacy concerns under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. As of early 2026, the ban remains in effect, though multiple reports indicate ongoing negotiations between ByteDance and the Indian government about a possible relaunch.
Before the ban, Indian TikTok creators earned among the lowest RPMs globally -- approximately ₹0.20 to ₹0.80 per 1,000 views (roughly $0.002 to $0.01 USD). The low RPM reflected India's lower advertising rates compared to Western markets. However, the sheer volume of Indian users meant that high-follower creators could still accumulate meaningful earnings through view volume alone.
Brand deals were the primary income source for top Indian TikTok creators pre-ban, with rates ranging from ₹5,000 for nano-influencers to more than ₹200,000 per video for mega-creators. Since the ban, former TikTok creators have migrated to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Moj (a domestic short-video platform), where brand deal rates follow similar patterns.
If TikTok returns to India, projected RPMs would likely fall between ₹0.20 and ₹1.00 per 1,000 views based on current Indian advertising rates and RPM benchmarks from comparable markets. Brand deal rates would likely exceed pre-ban levels given the overall growth of India's influencer marketing industry since 2020.
Use our TikTok Money Calculator to project potential earnings based on expected audience metrics.
TikTok Pay in India -- Primary Data
India's TikTok earnings data exists in two contexts: historical data from before the June 2020 ban and projected data based on current market conditions. Both are valuable for Indian creators planning their monetization strategy.
Estimated Monthly Earnings by Follower Count (India -- Projected if TikTok Returns)
| Follower Count | Monthly Views (Est.) | Creator Rewards (Projected) | Brand Deals | Total Monthly (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 - 10,000 | 20K - 200K | ₹4 - ₹160 | ₹0 - ₹5,000 | ₹4 - ₹5,160 |
| 10,000 - 50,000 | 200K - 1M | ₹40 - ₹800 | ₹5,000 - ₹20,000 | ₹5,040 - ₹20,800 |
| 50,000 - 200,000 | 1M - 5M | ₹200 - ₹4,000 | ₹15,000 - ₹50,000 | ₹15,200 - ₹54,000 |
| 200,000 - 500,000 | 5M - 15M | ₹1,000 - ₹12,000 | ₹30,000 - ₹100,000 | ₹31,000 - ₹112,000 |
| 500,000 - 1M | 15M - 40M | ₹3,000 - ₹32,000 | ₹50,000 - ₹150,000 | ₹53,000 - ₹182,000 |
| 1M+ | 40M+ | ₹8,000 - ₹80,000+ | ₹100,000 - ₹500,000+ | ₹108,000 - ₹580,000+ |
These projections assume TikTok would launch its Creator Rewards Program in India with RPMs comparable to other emerging markets adjusted for Indian advertising rates. View estimates reflect India's historically high engagement rates on short-form video content.
RPM INR
RPM (Revenue Per Mille) projections for India are based on historical TikTok data, current advertising rates on competing platforms in India, and creator fund rates from comparable markets.
Projected TikTok RPM by Niche (India)
| Niche | Projected RPM (INR) | Projected RPM (USD Equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance / Investing | ₹0.80 - ₹1.50 | $0.009 - $0.018 |
| Technology / Gadgets | ₹0.60 - ₹1.20 | $0.007 - $0.014 |
| Education | ₹0.40 - ₹1.00 | $0.005 - $0.012 |
| Beauty / Fashion | ₹0.30 - ₹0.80 | $0.004 - $0.009 |
| Food / Cooking | ₹0.20 - ₹0.60 | $0.002 - $0.007 |
| Comedy / Entertainment | ₹0.15 - ₹0.40 | $0.002 - $0.005 |
| Dance / Music | ₹0.10 - ₹0.30 | $0.001 - $0.004 |
Indian RPMs would be among the lowest globally in absolute terms due to lower advertising CPMs in the Indian market. However, India's enormous user base means creators can accumulate massive view counts that partially offset the low per-view rate. A creator with 50 million monthly views at ₹0.50 RPM would earn ₹25,000 (approximately $300 USD) from views alone.
For context, these rates are roughly 80% to 90% lower than US TikTok RPMs and 70% to 85% lower than European rates. This gap mirrors the advertising rate differences seen across platforms like YouTube and Instagram in India versus Western markets.
Creator fund India
TikTok's Creator Fund was never formally launched in India before the ban. If TikTok returns, the monetization landscape would look fundamentally different from pre-ban conditions, as the Creator Rewards Program has since replaced the Creator Fund globally.
Creator Rewards Program -- Projected Eligibility (India)
| Requirement | Expected Threshold |
|---|---|
| Minimum followers | 10,000 |
| Minimum views (last 30 days) | 100,000 |
| Account age | At least 30 days |
| Content type | Original, longer than 1 minute |
| Account standing | Good standing, no violations |
Before the ban, Indian creators relied almost entirely on brand deals and TikTok Live gifts for monetization. The Creator Rewards Program would represent a new direct-payment revenue stream, though the low Indian RPMs mean it would supplement rather than replace brand deal income.
Current and Projected Brand Deal Rates (India)
| Creator Tier | Followers | Pre-Ban TikTok Rate (INR) | Current Rate on Reels/Shorts (INR) | Projected TikTok Rate (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nano | 1,000 - 10,000 | ₹2,000 - ₹5,000 | ₹3,000 - ₹8,000 | ₹5,000 - ₹10,000 |
| Micro | 10,000 - 50,000 | ₹5,000 - ₹20,000 | ₹10,000 - ₹30,000 | ₹10,000 - ₹35,000 |
| Mid-tier | 50,000 - 500,000 | ₹20,000 - ₹80,000 | ₹30,000 - ₹100,000 | ₹30,000 - ₹120,000 |
| Macro | 500,000 - 1M | ₹80,000 - ₹150,000 | ₹100,000 - ₹250,000 | ₹100,000 - ₹300,000 |
| Mega | 1M+ | ₹150,000 - ₹500,000+ | ₹200,000 - ₹500,000+ | ₹200,000 - ₹500,000+ |
India's influencer marketing industry has grown significantly since the TikTok ban, with overall spending increasing by an estimated 200% to 300% between 2020 and 2026. This growth means that if TikTok returns, brand deal rates would be substantially higher than pre-ban levels. Use our Brand Deal Rate Calculator to estimate rates based on your metrics.
TikTok Pay in India -- Extended Data
The TikTok ban pushed Indian creators to alternative platforms, reshaping the country's short-form video ecosystem. Understanding this migration is essential context for any creator planning for TikTok's potential return.
Platform Comparison for Indian Short-Form Video Creators
| Platform | Monthly Active Users (India) | Monetization | RPM Equivalent (INR) | Brand Deal Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels | 350M+ | Bonuses (limited), brand deals | ₹0.10 - ₹0.50 | Very strong |
| YouTube Shorts | 250M+ | Shorts Fund, AdSense, brand deals | ₹0.30 - ₹1.00 | Strong |
| Moj | 150M+ | Creator rewards, brand deals | ₹0.05 - ₹0.20 | Moderate |
| Josh | 100M+ | Limited monetization | ₹0.02 - ₹0.10 | Limited |
| TikTok (Projected) | 200M+ (if relaunched) | Creator Rewards, brand deals | ₹0.20 - ₹1.00 | Expected strong |
YouTube Shorts currently offers the strongest per-view monetization for Indian creators, with its ad-revenue sharing model providing more consistent payouts than platform-specific creator funds. Instagram Reels dominates brand deal volume due to Instagram's established presence with Indian marketers.
Tax obligations for Indian creators apply regardless of which platform they use. The Income Tax Department requires all digital creator income to be reported, and GST registration becomes mandatory above certain thresholds.
Tax Obligations for Indian Digital Creators
| Tax Type | Rate / Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 5% - 30% progressive | New tax regime: 5% above ₹3 lakh, 30% above ₹15 lakh |
| GST Registration | Mandatory above ₹20 lakh turnover | ₹10 lakh in special category states |
| GST Rate | 18% on services | Applies to brand deals and sponsored content |
| TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) | 10% on professional income | Brands deduct before payment; adjust at filing |
| Advance Tax | Quarterly payments required | If tax liability exceeds ₹10,000 per year |
Most Indian creators start by filing under the presumptive taxation scheme (Section 44ADA), which allows professionals to declare 50% of gross receipts as income without detailed expense documentation. This simplifies compliance for creators earning up to ₹75 lakh annually. For comprehensive guidance, see our Creator Taxes Guide.
If TikTok returns to India, creators who maintained audiences on alternative platforms would have a significant head start. The strategy most recommended by Indian creator economy analysts is to build platform-agnostic audiences now -- maintaining active presences on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and at least one domestic platform -- so that migrating content and followers to TikTok would be straightforward.
For strategies on building multiple income streams regardless of platform, see our guide on diversifying TikTok income streams.
Methodology
Historical earnings data in this guide comes from pre-ban reports by Indian TikTok creators, creator management agencies that operated in India during 2018-2020, and academic research on India's creator economy. Projected RPM figures are modeled from current Indian digital advertising CPMs, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels payouts in India, and TikTok RPM data from markets with comparable advertising rates (Southeast Asia, Latin America).
Brand deal rates reflect both historical TikTok data and current rates on competing platforms, sourced from Indian influencer marketing platforms and agency disclosures. Projected TikTok rates assume the platform would relaunch with competitive brand deal infrastructure.
Tax information reflects Indian tax law as of early 2026. Creators should consult a Chartered Accountant (CA) for personalized advice, particularly regarding GST registration and advance tax requirements.
Calculate Your Own Numbers
Whether TikTok returns to India or you are creating content on alternative platforms, understanding your earnings potential requires data-driven analysis. Our free calculators help you project income across multiple scenarios.
The TikTok Money Calculator lets you model potential earnings using projected Indian RPMs and your audience metrics. For brand deal pricing, the Brand Deal Rate Calculator provides benchmarks calibrated to the Indian market. The Engagement Rate Calculator helps you understand how your engagement metrics affect monetization potential.
You can also explore how Indian rates compare globally with our Earnings by Country comparison tool, or see niche-specific data in our RPM Rates by Niche breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TikTok still banned in India?
Yes. TikTok has been banned in India since June 29, 2020, when the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology blocked the app along with 58 other Chinese applications citing national security concerns. As of early 2026, the ban remains in effect. However, multiple credible reports indicate that ByteDance has been in discussions with the Indian government about conditions for a potential relaunch, including data localization requirements and content moderation commitments.
How much did TikTok pay Indian creators before the ban?
Before the ban, TikTok paid Indian creators approximately ₹0.20 to ₹0.80 per 1,000 views through its limited monetization programs -- among the lowest rates globally. Most Indian creators earned the bulk of their income through brand deals, which ranged from ₹5,000 for nano-influencers to more than ₹200,000 per video for mega-creators with millions of followers. TikTok Live gifts provided an additional but inconsistent revenue stream.
What platforms do Indian creators use instead of TikTok?
Indian creators primarily use Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and domestic platforms like Moj and Josh for short-form video content. YouTube Shorts offers the strongest per-view monetization through ad revenue sharing, while Instagram Reels dominates brand deal volume. Many successful creators maintain presences on multiple platforms simultaneously to maximize reach and income. See our guide on how to make money on TikTok for strategies that apply across short-video platforms.
What would TikTok earnings look like if it returns to India?
If TikTok relaunches in India, projected RPMs would likely fall between ₹0.20 and ₹1.00 per 1,000 views -- still low by global standards but reflecting growth in Indian digital advertising since 2020. Brand deal rates would likely be substantially higher than pre-ban levels, ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹500,000 or more per video depending on follower count and niche. The biggest beneficiaries would be creators who maintained large cross-platform audiences during the ban period.
Related Resources
- TikTok Monetization by Country -- How TikTok pay rates and program access vary globally
- Diversify TikTok Income Streams -- Build platform-agnostic income strategies
- Creator Income Distribution -- Understand where you fall in the global creator earnings spectrum
- How to Get Brand Deals -- Complete guide to securing sponsored content partnerships