The Central Bureau of Communication has invited 13 entities to make technical presentations for a place on its digital advertising base panel for micro, small and startup firms.
The CBC issued the advisory last week, according to a report by Indian Broadcasting World on September 21, 2026. The presentations are the first evaluation stage for the new panel.
The 13 invited firms include Interactive Avenues, Webchutney Studio, Schbang Digital Solutions, Gozoop Online and Mindshare Media India. The list also names ValueFirst Digital Media, Logicserve Digital, Resultrix Media, Performics Convonix Technologies, Broadswall Media, Digidarts Digital Marketing, and Social Panga Marketing and Digital Communications.
The base panel comes from a policy change made earlier this year. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting amended the Digital Advertisement Policy 2023 on May 8, 2026, BestMediaInfo reported. The change opened a separate route for smaller firms.
The rules set a clear floor. A firm must have average annual turnover of Rs 2 crore to Rs 20 crore. It must hold a DPIIT Startup certificate or an Udyam certificate. It must also be at least one year old.
That floor keeps out the very earliest firms. It still leaves room for young digital agencies, creator-economy firms and social media shops.
The money terms sit below the usual rate. Base panel firms will be paid 75% of the L1 rates set for Category-II agencies. Their empanelment will run for the same term as Category-I and Category-II agencies.
The work is digital-first. The scope covers online campaigns, programmatic ad placements, performance marketing, social media promotions and digital outreach for Union ministries and government departments.
The panel sits beside the existing structure. Category-I and Category-II agencies stay in place, and the base panel adds a cheaper bench for smaller digital jobs. Note that the invited list mixes large established agencies with smaller shops, so the output is a shortlist, not a startup-only win.
What this means for you: If you run a digital agency with Rs 2 crore or more in turnover and a DPIIT or Udyam certificate, this is a live route into central government advertising work, and the next CBC advisory is the one to watch.
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