Budget 2026 AVGC Push: IICT Begins Work on Content Creator Labs in 15,000 Schools and 500 Colleges

The Government of India’s push to strengthen the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector has gained momentum as the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) has started groundwork for setting up AVGC content creator labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges across the country.

The initiative was initiated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget speech on 1st February, in which she also revealed a plan to allocate 250 crore for developing creative technology infrastructure for students. The proposal is basically designed to equip the youth of India for the rising demand in the AVGC industry globally, the industry that is expected to require nearly two million professionals by 2030.

As per the figures given by IICT authorities, the new labs would become advanced creative studios where students will be able to work with the software, tools, and production pipelines currently used in animation, gaming, visual effects, and digital storytelling and get their learning hands- on.

IICT held a workshop involving multi, stakeholders and representatives from government and industry bodies, academia, and policy institutions such as NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on the spot with the participation of a total of 75 people. The discussions to determine the laboratories' roadmap were also attended by officials from state governments, industry councils, and academic experts.

The talks were concentrated on incorporating the program with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 so that the students get the right balance of both foundational exposure and specialized training in the fields of creative technology. The participants, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of mentorships and the development of original intellectual property (IP) as a means to enhance global employability and promote creative entrepreneurship among students.

Established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and industry bodies under a public-private partnership model, IICT functions as India’s flagship centre for AVGC-XR education and innovation.

Currently operating from the campus of the National Film Development Corporation in Mumbai, IICT offers 18 specialised programmes, including diploma courses, undergraduate diplomas, and short-term certificate programmes in emerging creative technologies.