National Centre of Excellence for Animation: All You Need to Know

The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) on September 18, 2024. Designed to mirror the IITs and IIMs, this initiative aims to bolster India’s position as a global content hub, enhancing the country’s soft power and attracting foreign investments in the media and entertainment sector. The centre will be located in Mumbai as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013.

Objectives and Structure

The proposed centre, tentatively named the Indian Institute for Immersive Creators (IIIC), will employ a hub-and-spoke model, with the IIIC serving as the central hub and other centres as its spokes. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need to harness economic developments to create new opportunities, particularly in the burgeoning creator economy. Industry bodies like FICCI and CII will partner with the government to facilitate this initiative.

Training and Employment Opportunities

The NCoE will offer specialized training programs for both amateurs and professionals, aiming to develop Indian intellectual property that reflects the nation’s cultural heritage. Vaishnaw noted that advancements in technology used in films like “The Lion King” and “RRR” are already taking place in Indian cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The initiative is expected to create up to 500,000 jobs in the sector, with controlled costs for attendance since it will be a government institution.

Future Developments

The official name of the centre is expected to be announced at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in February 2025. Initially scheduled for November in Goa, the summit has been postponed to be held in Delhi. Prior to WAVES, Vaishnaw launched 25 industry-led challenges across various fields, reaffirming the government’s commitment to nurturing talent in the media and entertainment industry.