The Government of India has proposed setting up AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) Content Creator Labs (CCLs) in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges under the Union Budget 2026–27. The initiative has been allocated ₹250 crore to strengthen India’s growing media and entertainment ecosystem.
Push to Make India a Global Content Hub
Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting L Murugan informed Parliament that the government is actively promoting the AVGC sector as part of its vision to position India as a global content creation hub and strengthen the country’s “Orange Economy.”
IICT to Lead Implementation
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), designated as the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for AVGC-XR, has been operational since July 2025 at the NFDC complex in Mumbai.
- 18 courses launched
- 136 students enrolled
- 15 trainers certified under Train-the-Trainer programme
IICT has been appointed as the nodal agency for planning, coordination, and phased implementation of the Content Creator Labs across institutions.
Stakeholder Consultations Underway
The government is currently working with stakeholders to finalize:
- Technology stack for labs
- Identification of beneficiary institutions
- Implementation framework
This collaborative approach aims to ensure efficient rollout and industry alignment.
Startup Ecosystem Boost Through WAVEX
The WAVEX Startup Accelerator Programme, launched under the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, is supporting media-tech startups through:
- Structured incubation and mentorship
- Access to global networks and investors
- Assistance in intellectual property creation and protection
Startups are also being enabled to showcase innovations on international platforms and connect with global markets.
Create in India Challenge Promotes Talent
The Create in India Challenge (CIC) is being used as a national platform to identify and nurture creative talent:
- 33 challenges conducted in its first edition
- Over 1 lakh creators participated, including from Tier-II and Tier-III cities
- Selected creators are being supported through WAVEX and WAVES Market platforms
WAVES 2025 Strengthens Global Linkages
The government also organized the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, aligning with the vision of “Create in India, Create for the World.”
The summit brought together:
- Indian creators and producers
- Global buyers, investors, OTT platforms
- Technology leaders from 100+ countries
Boost to Innovation and Employment
The AVGC Content Creator Labs initiative is expected to:
- Promote digital creativity and innovation
- Create employment opportunities
- Strengthen India’s position in the global media and entertainment industry
