India’s Union Budget 2026–27 has delivered a major boost for the country’s creative tech ecosystem. In her Lok Sabha speech on Sunday, February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a plan that caught the attention of digital artists, animators, and storytellers: the Budget will prioritise India’s creative industries, positioning gaming and other creative sectors as key drivers of the Orange Economy and future job growth.
Sitharaman said, "Orange economy. India's animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVCG) sector is a growing industry projected to require 2 million professionals by 2030. I propose to support the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies Mumbai in setting up AVCG content creator labs in 15,000 secondary schools all over the country and 500 colleges."
The proposal is inspired by the Economic Survey 2025-26, which emphasized on creativity-driven industries such as culture, entertainment, media, and intellectual property as key contributors to employment, tourism, and urban services. Finance Minister has also suggested establishing AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges via the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai.
India’s AVGC sector is on a steep growth curve, with analysts estimating a need for around 2 million skilled professionals by 2030. This demand goes beyond animators and gamers to include VFX artists, game designers, storyboard artists, comic creators and creative tech developers. With the right training and infrastructure, experts say India could emerge as a global hub for high-end creative content.
The surge in demand is coming from both domestic studios producing movies, web series and games, and international clients outsourcing animation and VFX work to India.
The AVGC sector is included in what economists refer to as the 'Orange Economy'. This encompasses industries where creativity, culture, and ideas contribute to generating value. The Orange Economy emphasizes artistic and cultural production rather than physical goods. This is significant because, unlike conventional manufacturing that depends on materials, the Orange Economy flourishes through innovation, imagination, and intellectual property.
AVGC labs in schools and colleges will equip students with future-ready skills and create a direct pathway to high-demand careers.
Indian animated films and video games could now compete on the global stage with better infrastructure and talent development.
Creative industries will become a startup hotspot, driving new apps, platforms, and business models in the digital content space.
India’s cultural narratives and stories, from comics to animation can reach wider international audiences, strengthening soft power and content exports.
By setting up AVGC labs in schools and colleges, the government aims to give students hands-on creative tech skills early, without relying on costly city-based courses. In colleges, these labs will bridge education and industry, preparing graduates for careers in studios, gaming, and freelance work. The goal is to create a large, skilled talent pipeline for the next decade.