Commentary

India To Equip Over 15,000 Schools, Colleges With Animation Labs To Meet Creator Economy Demand

Published on February 2, 2026

The Indian government announced plans to establish animation and content-creation laboratories in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges nationwide, as the country’s creative industries face a projected shortage of nearly 2 million professionals by 2030.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined the initiative in the Union Budget 2026-27, presented to Parliament on February 1. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai will receive government assistance to set up the AVGC Content Creator Labs, which focus on animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics sectors.

“This is a duty-driven budget inspired by the power of youth and the strength of women,” said Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the media at Rail Bhawan. He noted that the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, modeled on IITs and IIMs, will connect with schools and colleges through its labs, creating 2 million new jobs.

Vaishnaw added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has positioned India’s creative economy on the global stage through WAVES, a reference to the country’s creative industries initiative.

Economic Context

The announcement comes as India’s creator economy tracks toward significant expansion. A recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report projects India’s creator economy will generate more than $100 billion in revenue by 2030, with consumer spending influenced by digital content creators exceeding $1 trillion.

India currently hosts 2 to 2.5 million content creators with more than 1,000 followers each, influencing $350 billion to $400 billion in consumer spending and generating $20 billion to $25 billion in ecosystem revenue, according to BCG’s study.

The survey noted India’s media and entertainment sector reached approximately 2.5 trillion rupees in 2024. The sector has shifted toward digital and platform-based delivery over the past decade, transforming revenue models and employment structures. Growth stems from rising incomes, internet penetration, over-the-top platform expansion, and AI-led innovation.