On September 18, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR). This initiative aims to position India as a global leader in content creation, similar to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Located in Mumbai, the centre will operate as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013, focusing on enhancing India's soft power and attracting foreign investment in the media and entertainment sector.
Objectives and Structure The centre, likely to be named the Indian Institute for Immersive Creators (IIIC), will follow a hub-and-spoke model, with the IIIC as the central hub and additional centres acting as spokes. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of leveraging economic growth to generate new opportunities, particularly in the expanding creator economy. Collaborations with industry organizations like FICCI and CII will support this initiative.
Training and Employment Opportunities The NCoE will provide specialized training for both beginners and experienced professionals, aiming to cultivate Indian intellectual property that reflects the nation's cultural heritage. Vaishnaw mentioned that advancements in technology, seen in films like “The Lion King” and “RRR,” are already happening in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. This initiative is expected to create around 500,000 jobs in the sector, with affordable attendance costs since it is a government institution.
Future Developments The official name of the centre is anticipated to be revealed at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in February 2025. Originally planned for November in Goa, the summit has been rescheduled to take place in Delhi. Ahead of WAVES, Vaishnaw introduced 25 industry-led challenges across various fields, reaffirming the government's commitment to fostering talent in the media and entertainment sector.
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