New Delhi, 3 April 2024: To make India a global content hub, an ambitious plan has been announced under Budget 2026-27 to set up ‘Content Creator Labs’ in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges. Through this initiative, AVGC aims to strengthen the country’s ‘Orange Economy’ by promoting new talent in the sector and provide a global platform to technology-based startups.

According to the plan announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, it is proposed to set up AVGC Content Creator Labs (CCL) in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges across the country. Rs 250 crore has been allocated for this initiative.

Giving information in this regard, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murug told Parliament on Thursday that the government is promoting the media and entertainment sector, which also includes the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector. Many initiatives have been launched under the government’s vision to establish India as a global hub of content creation and strengthen India’s ‘Orange Economy’.

IICT as NCOE for AVGC-XR sector is operational from IICT-National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) campus in Mumbai from July 2025. Currently 18 courses have been launched, in which 136 students are enrolled and 15 participants have completed the train-the-trainer programme. Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT), Mumbai has been appointed as the nodal agency for planning, coordination and phase-wise implementation of Content Creator Labs. Consultations are ongoing with stakeholders regarding technology stack, identification of beneficiary institutions and implementation processes.

Notably, the WaveX Startup Accelerator Programme, launched under the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), supports media-tech startups through structured incubation, mentorship and access to a global network. The first batch of startups has been provided opportunities such as mentorship from industry experts, exposure to investors, assistance in creating and protecting intellectual property. The program also facilitates participation on international platforms, industry partnerships and integration with global markets to enable startups to advance their innovations.

Create in India Challenge (CIC) is being used as a national platform to identify, nurture and showcase creative talent in the media and entertainment sector. In the first season of CIC, 33 challenges were organized in collaboration with industry partners and culminated in Waves 2025. More than one lakh creators including Tier-II and Tier-III cities of the country participated in this summit. Selected creators are being provided assistance to present their content on national and international platforms through platforms like WaveX and Waves Bazaar.

Also, the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) was organized by the government in Mumbai. This was in line with the government’s vision of making India a global content creation hub under the “Create in India, Create for the World” initiative. The summit provided an integrated platform for Indian creators, producers and startups to connect with global buyers, investors, OTT platforms and technology leaders from over 100 countries.