SUMMARY
- Cabinet approves the National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR, modeled on IITs/IIMs.
- The Mumbai-based center will foster skills, research, and startup incubation in the AVGC-XR sector
- The initiative aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and aims to make India a global content hub.
The Union Cabinet on September 18, 2024, approved the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) in Mumbai. The Centre, modeled after IITs and IIMs, aims to position India as a global content hub, fostering innovation and boosting the country’s soft power while attracting foreign investments in the media and entertainment sector.
The NCoE will be set up as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013, in collaboration with industry bodies such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). This new Institute of Immersive Creators (IIIC) will serve as the anchor institution for the AVGC-XR ecosystem, focusing on skill development, research, and incubation of startups.
The AVGC-XR sector, integral to media, entertainment, health, education, and more, is rapidly expanding due to advancing technology and increased internet penetration across India. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the National Centre of Excellence will drive India’s leadership in this sector globally, enhancing the country’s ability to create cutting-edge content.
The Centre will offer specialized training programs for professionals and amateurs, and bring together experts from computer science, engineering, and art to drive innovation in AVGC-XR technologies. It will also focus on creating India’s intellectual property (IP), highlighting the nation’s cultural heritage while supporting content for global audiences.
The NCoE will also act as an incubation center, providing resources to support startups and early-stage companies in the AVGC-XR domain. This initiative is expected to create numerous employment opportunities, significantly boosting the creative arts and design sectors across the country.
The project aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, positioning India as a leader in the AVGC-XR industry and bolstering its presence on the global stage.
