I&B Secretary Reviews IICT Expansion, Sets Target of 400 Students and 20 Startups by July

In a strong signal of the government's focus on building a globally competitive creative economy, Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, reviewed the progress and expansion plans of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) at the NFDC Complex in Mumbai.

The visit highlighted ambitious plans to scale academic capacity, boost startup incubation, and expand India's footprint in emerging sectors such as gaming, VFX, and digital content creation.

Rapid Expansion: From 150 to 400 Students in Months

Chairing a high-level review meeting with board members and industry representatives, Shri Jaju noted that around 150 students have already commenced their programmes at IICT, with a target to scale up to 400 students by July 2026.

He emphasized that the institute's world-class production and post-production infrastructure positions it as a key hub for training talent in next-generation media technologies.

"The infrastructure is ready… the focus is now on scaling capacity and strengthening industry alignment," he stated.

Startup Ecosystem Gains Momentum

IICT is also emerging as a creative startup incubation hub, with:

• 11 startups currently incubated

• Target of 20 startups in physical mode by mid-2026

• Additional startups to be supported through virtual incubation models

This aligns with the government's broader push to integrate entrepreneurship into the media and entertainment ecosystem.

Major Campus Expansion Planned at Film City

A significant development discussed during the visit was the upcoming expansion of IICT to a larger campus in Film City, Goregaon.

• Construction and development are expected to progress over the next two years

• Academic sessions at the new campus are targeted to begin by 2028

The expansion is expected to significantly enhance training capacity and industry integration.

Focus on Gaming, VFX, and Creator Economy

Deliberations during the meeting also centered on high-growth segments of the creative economy, including:

• Visual gaming and e-sports

• Visual effects (VFX)

• Digital content creation

These sectors were also highlighted in the Union Budget, with proposals for specialized labs and infrastructure support.

Shri Jaju noted that these initiatives are critical to strengthening India's position in the global digital content and entertainment market, which is witnessing rapid growth driven by OTT platforms, gaming, and immersive media.

"Orange Economy" Vision: 2 Million Creators Target

A key strategic goal discussed was the "Orange Economy" initiative, under which the government aims to connect 2 million individuals to creative and content-driven professions.

Originally announced at the WAVES Summit, this target reflects a broader vision to:

• Generate employment in creative sectors

• Promote digital entrepreneurship

• Build a skilled workforce for global media markets

Nationwide Rollout of Creator Labs in Schools and Colleges

One of the most transformative proposals reviewed during the visit was the plan to establish:

• Content creator labs in 15,000 secondary schools

• 500 colleges across India

These labs aim to:

• Promote digital creativity and storytelling skills

• Enhance media literacy among students

• Provide early exposure to tools used in animation, video production, and gaming

Experts believe this could democratize access to creative tools and significantly expand India's talent pipeline.

Diverse Course Offerings Aligned with Industry Needs

IICT currently offers 18 specialized courses across high-demand creative domains:

• 6 courses in gaming

• 4 courses in post-production

• 8 courses in animation, comics, and extended reality (XR)

Flagship programmes include:

• 24-month undergraduate diplomas in:

  • Animation Film Design

  • Interactive Video Game Design and Development

  • Post-Production and Visual Effects

Additionally, short-term courses (3–6 months) are offered in:

• 3D character design

• Cinematic virtual reality filmmaking

• E-sports management

• AI applications in filmmaking

This mix of long-term and modular training is designed to cater to both fresh entrants and working professionals.

Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaboration

Shri Jaju reviewed ongoing efforts to deepen industry-academia partnerships, ensuring that curriculum and training remain aligned with evolving market demands.

Interactions with board members and industry stakeholders focused on:

• Curriculum co-design

• Internship and placement pipelines

• Collaborative research and innovation

Visit to National Museum of Indian Cinema

On the sidelines of the visit, Shri Jaju also toured the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), where he interacted with a delegation of school students, reinforcing the importance of cultural education alongside technological advancement.

Building India's Creative Future

India's media and entertainment sector is projected to grow rapidly in the coming years, driven by:

• Rising digital consumption

• Expansion of OTT platforms

• Growth in gaming and immersive technologies

The government's push through institutions like IICT reflects a strategic effort to position India as a global hub for creative talent and digital content production.

The visit underscores the Ministry's commitment to building robust institutional frameworks, scalable talent pipelines, and innovation ecosystems to power the next phase of India's creative economy.