In a significant move to bolster India’s creative economy and promote global content creation, the federal Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR). This new institution aims to enhance India’s influence as a global content hub while attracting foreign investment.
According to an official statement, the NCoE will play a pivotal role in elevating India’s soft power, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure for content creation. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, during a briefing in New Delhi, explained that the NCoE will be set up in Maharashtra as a non-profit organisation under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. Leading industry bodies, including FICCI and CII, will partner with the government to shape the future of AVGC-XR in India.
The AVGC-XR sector is already an essential part of the media and entertainment industries, with applications in film, streaming, gaming, advertising, education, healthcare, and more. Given India’s low data rates and expanding internet penetration, the sector is poised for rapid growth both domestically and internationally.
The NCoE will offer specialized training and learning programs to upskill professionals and newcomers in cutting-edge AVGC-XR technologies. Beyond technical education, the centre will foster research and development by bringing together experts from fields like computer science, engineering, design, and art. The focus will also be on creating Indian intellectual properties (IPs) that reflect the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage, enhancing domestic content production while positioning Indian narratives on a global scale.
The initiative is expected to drive innovation, create employment opportunities, and position India as a leader in AVGC-XR content creation, with global outreach in mind.
Summary:
- India’s Cabinet approved the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for AVGC-XR to position the country as a global content hub and boost soft power.
- The NCoE will be set up as a non-profit in Maharashtra, offering specialized training and fostering R&D for AVGC-XR technologies.
- The initiative focuses on creating Indian IPs, leveraging India’s cultural heritage, and aims to drive growth in media, entertainment, and beyond.