Government plans nationwide content creation labs to boost AVGC sector

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Feb 12 convened a high-level consultation in New Delhi to advance plans for setting up Content Creation Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges nationwide, aimed at strengthening India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics sector.

The meeting, held at the National Media Centre, focused on rolling out the initiative through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, which received Union Cabinet approval in September 2024 and is now operational at the NFDC campus.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju said IICT would act as the anchor institution for the proposed labs, describing them as a crucial talent pipeline for the institute.

He noted that consultations had already taken place regarding lab design, hardware and software specifications, and the development of a common framework with implementation flexibility.

The government has positioned the initiative within its broader Orange Economy strategy to harness the potential of creative industries for economic growth and job creation.

Officials said the labs will operate as advanced creative studios, providing students hands-on experience with professional production workflows and industry-standard tools.

Deliberations also focused on aligning lab activities with the National Education Policy to ensure both foundational exposure and specialized training in creative fields.

Participants stressed the importance of structured mentorship programs and encouraging the creation of original intellectual property within the labs to strengthen global employability and promote creative entrepreneurship.

They also highlighted the need for coordination between central missions and state education departments to implement the initiative at scale.

According to officials, the proposed labs are expected to narrow the gap between academic learning and industry needs, foster innovation, and equip students for emerging roles in the technology-driven creative economy.