After rolling out similar initiatives in Japan, the United States and Latin America, the company is now looking to adapt its training-led approach to the Indian context, with the goal of building new artist IP from the region.

Announced on 24 March via HYBE India's social channels, the audition programme will take place across cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune, alongside an online application route.

Selected participants will enter HYBE's training and development system, where they will be prepared for potential debut opportunities as part of future projects.

The auditions represent a key step in HYBE India's entry into the local talent pipeline, as it looks to extend its global artist discovery model into the market. Central to this is the company's 'multi-home, multi-genre' strategy, which focuses on building local operations that can develop artists with international potential.

HYBE India said it is particularly focused on tapping into the growing pool of Indian and Indian-origin talent, while ensuring that artists are able to retain their cultural identity even as they are positioned for global audiences. The company also highlighted the importance of working with local creative and industry partners as part of this process.

This move builds on groundwork laid over the past year. In September 2025, HYBE set up its India headquarters in Mumbai, marking its fifth international base after Japan, the United States, Latin America and China. The announcement drew strong fan interest, including speculation around future BTS activity in India. A few months later, in December, the company brought Jungkook's GOLDEN: The Moments exhibition to Mumbai, offering one of the first official BTS-related fan experiences in the country.

India's demographic profile and expanding digital music market continue to make it an attractive territory for global music companies exploring structured artist development models.

HYBE India is positioning itself for long-term growth, with plans to roll out its capabilities across talent discovery, music production, marketing and live experiences. Partnerships are also a key part of this approach.

For the audition programme, HYBE has partnered with brands such as Samsung, Nongshim, H&M and Shoppers Stop, along with platforms including Snapchat and BookMyShow. These collaborations will support on-ground activations, retail-led initiatives and digital engagement aimed at widening access and participation.

At the same time, Indian representation in global pop ecosystems is steadily increasing. Artists such as Aria, part of the K-pop group X:IN, and Sriya (previously Shreya) Lenka of BLACKSWAN have already debuted within the Korean system. More recently, Lara Raj, an Indian-origin artist, became part of HYBE's global girl group KATSEYE.

HYBE has been building out similar artist development models across markets with acts like &TEAM in Japan, KATSEYE in the United States and SANTOS BRAVOS in Latin America, as it continues to expand its international roster and IP portfolio.