India's Ad Market 2026: AI Drives ₹1.15 Lakh Crore Transformation

• India's advertising market to reach ₹1.15 lakh crore ($22.74 billion) by 2026, with digital media dominating and 9.7% growth projected.
• Applied Intelligence (AI) will become the core operating layer, transforming creative ideation, campaign optimization, and decision-making for brands.
• Retail media faces regulatory scrutiny, demanding first-party data strategies and transparency for continued growth and advertiser trust.
• Cricket media rights reset, CTV growth stabilization, and consumer 'digital detox' will reshape media planning and engagement strategies.
• Gaming, live events, immersive AR/MR experiences, and localization will emerge as key growth frontiers, alongside the resilience of traditional media.

Why It Matters: AI, first-party data, and localized immersive experiences will define India's evolving ad landscape by 2026.