Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced initiatives to strengthen India’s creative and design industries as part of Budget 2026. Speaking about the rapid growth of the Animation,
Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector, she said it is projected to require two million professionals by 2030.
As part of the push, the government plans to establish AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges across India. These labs, to be supported by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, aim to nurture creativity, digital storytelling, and advanced media skills among students, preparing a future-ready workforce for fast-growing sectors.
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“… India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector is a growing industry, projected to require 2 million professionals by 2030. I propose to support the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, in setting up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges,” the Finance Minister said.
Sitharaman also highlighted a shortage of trained professionals in the Designing industry. She proposed the creation of a new National Institute of Design in eastern India through the Challenge Route to address the shortage of trained designers.
“The Indian design industry is expanding rapidly and yet there is a shortage of Indian designers. I propose to establish, through Challenge Route, a new National Institute of Design to boost design education and development in the eastern region of India…,” the Union Minister added.
The institute is expected to strengthen design education, foster innovation, and promote skill development in the region, boosting opportunities for aspiring professionals in the design sector.
In addition to these educational initiatives, the government also plans to develop five university townships near major industry corridors to enhance industry-academia linkages. The move is intended to create an ecosystem where students can gain practical exposure to emerging industries, bridging the gap between education and employment.
By integrating advanced creative education with industry-focused infrastructure, the government seeks to strengthen India’s position in global digital media and design while creating a generation of skilled professionals ready to drive innovation in emerging creative fields.
