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Budget 2026 Boosts AVGC Sector with 15,000 School & College Creator Labs

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2026 proposes setting up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges nationwide to skill youth for the growing sector. The initiative aims to prepare young Indians for an industry projected to need two million professionals by 2030 through hands-on, industry-aligned training. As part of the broader Viksit Bharat vision, the Budget also includes establishing a new National Institute of Design in Eastern India. Further education reforms include plans for integrated university townships near industrial corridors to link academia with industry needs.

Key Points: Budget 2026: AVGC Creator Labs in 15,000 Schools & 500 Colleges

  • Labs in 15,000 schools & 500 colleges
  • Targets 2 million professionals by 2030
  • Part of Viksit Bharat vision
  • Hands-on industry-aligned training
  • New National Institute of Design for East India
2 min read

Animation and Gaming industry gets budget boost as FM proposes content creator labs nationwide

FM Sitharaman announces Animation, Gaming & Comics labs nationwide to train youth for 2 million jobs by 2030, part of Viksit Bharat vision.

"India's Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics AVGC sector is a growing industry. - Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman"

New Delhi, February 1

Presenting her ninth consecutive Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said the Centre plans to support the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, in setting up Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges nationwide.

The move is aimed at preparing young Indians for careers in a sector projected to need two million professionals by 2030.

"India's Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics AVGC sector is a growing industry," the Finance Minister said, underlining the need for early exposure and structured training to meet future workforce demands.

The proposed labs are expected to focus on hands-on learning and skill development aligned with industry requirements.

The announcement places the AVGC sector firmly within the government's broader vision of "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India), the central theme of the Budget presented on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The Budget speech highlighted infrastructure expansion, strategic manufacturing, and education reforms as key pillars of long-term growth.

In a related push to strengthen creative and design education, Sitharaman also announced that a new National Institute of Design will be established in Eastern India through a challenge-based route.

The initiative aims to address the rising demand in the Indian design industry and expand access to high-quality design education.

Beyond creative industries, the Budget outlined plans to support states in developing five university townships near major industrial and logistics corridors.

These integrated academic zones will house multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres and residential facilities, linking higher education more closely to industry needs.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great initiative, but the real challenge will be implementation. Will these labs in 15,000 schools have proper hardware and trained teachers? Or will it be another scheme that looks good on paper? Hope they get the execution right.
V
Vikram M
As someone working in VFX in Mumbai, this is welcome news. The industry is booming but there's a huge skill gap. Early exposure in schools is key. Also, the new National Institute of Design in the East is much needed. Good budget for creatives!
R
Rohit P
Focus on hands-on learning is the best part. Our education system needs more practical skills, less rote learning. If these labs can spark creativity in kids from smaller towns, we can truly become a global hub for animation and gaming.
S
Sarah B
The university townships near industrial corridors is a smart idea. Linking education directly to industry needs will make graduates more employable. Hope this holistic approach works for the AVGC sector too.
K
Kavya N
Finally! Parents like me always push for engineering or medicine. But if gaming and animation gets this kind of government backing and labs in schools, it will change mindsets. A valid career path is being created. 👏

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