Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a major initiative to strengthen India’s creative economy during the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27 in Parliament. The plan focuses on expanding opportunities in the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector, which is set to demand around 2 million skilled professionals by 2030.
Key Proposal for Educational Integration
Sitharaman stated, “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 across the country.”
This effort aims to integrate practical training into the education system, providing students with early access to tools and techniques in digital content creation. By fostering hands-on learning, the labs will address the talent gap in the AVGC field and equip young people with essential creative and technical skills.
Broader Impacts on Employment and Innovation
The initiative promises to enhance career prospects for India’s youth while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in digital media. Participants will gain practical experience that could lead to diverse job roles and startup ventures in the evolving creator landscape.
Expansion of the Creator Economy
India’s creator economy already supports millions of digital creators and drives more than $350 billion in yearly consumer spending. Current direct revenues from these activities stand at $20–25 billion, with projections reaching $100–125 billion by 2030. Influenced consumption through creators could surpass $1 trillion by the end of the decade, underscoring the sector’s rapid growth and economic potential.
