Institute to be set up in Mumbai to boost AVGC-XR industry

NEW DELHI: To bolster India’s media and entertainment industry, the Union Cabinet Wednesday approved the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for animation, visual effects, gaming, comics and extended reality (AVGC-XR).To be set up in Mumbai, the Centre will be modelled after premier institutes such as IITs and IIMs, and will serve as a key player in anchoring India’s growing AVGC ecosystem.The NCoE will function as a Section 8 company under Companies Act, 2013, with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) partnering with govt.The move aims to position India as a global hub for cutting-edge content creation while enhancing the country’s soft power and attracting foreign investments into the media and entertainment sector.Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The AVGC-XR sector plays an indispensable role in media, entertainment, gaming, health, education, and other social sectors, making it essential to the country’s growth story.” “With the rise of technology and affordable internet, the global demand for AVGC-XR is set to grow exponentially, and India must keep pace,” he said.The NCoE will not only provide specialised training programmes to equip professionals with the latest AVGC-XR technologies but will also foster research and development. By bringing together experts in fields such as computer science, engineering, design and art, the Centre aims to spearhead major advancements in the AVGC-XR space.Additionally, the institute will focus on creating intellectual property for both domestic and international markets, with a particular emphasis on India’s rich cultural and historical heritage. It will also function as an incubation hub for startups, offering resources and support to early-stage companies in AVGC-XR industry.The NCoE is expected to become a significant source of employment for India’s youth, boosting the creative arts and design sectors, while promoting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.