India’s 2026 Union Budget has dedicated ₹250 crore ($27.3 million) to support talent development in the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sectors. The initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s creative economy and integrate game development and interactive media skills into national education and skilling programs.
The Game Developer Association of India (GDAI) welcomed the allocation, noting that it validates long-standing industry efforts to grow the country’s interactive media workforce. According to the association, the move will help embed game development and interactive media into formal education frameworks, creating structured pathways for students from schools to higher education and eventually into industry roles.
AVGC Content Creator Labs Across Schools and Colleges
A major part of the plan is the rollout of AVGC Content Creator Labs by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies. These labs are expected to be implemented in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, providing students with hands-on experience in animation, game design, and interactive media. The labs aim to equip students with early-stage skills and establish a pipeline of professionals ready for careers in the country’s growing creative and gaming sectors.
Projected Growth in Game Development Careers
GDAI estimates that with ongoing policy support, India could train over 200,000 game developers by 2035, support more than 1,500 studios, and generate around $10 billion in annual exports. Manish Agarwal, a board member at GDAI, said the budget measures will accelerate the growth of careers in gaming, AVGC-XR, and interactive media. He highlighted that government collaboration with industry stakeholders has been focused on developing a long-term talent pipeline that begins in schools and extends through higher education and professional training.
Industry executives also welcomed the budget. Nitish Mittersain, CEO and joint managing director of Nazara Technologies, emphasized that the funding goes beyond creating jobs. According to Mittersain, the focus on AVGC will help India develop original IP, strengthen the creative economy, and position the country as a global hub for gaming and interactive entertainment, including w3b3 technologies.
Building India’s Creative Economy
The 2026 Union Budget underscores India’s commitment to fostering its creative industries and ensuring the workforce is prepared for emerging opportunities in interactive media and gaming. By integrating AVGC education into schools and colleges, the government aims to support early skill development and establish a sustainable pipeline of talent for India’s expanding gaming ecosystem.
Source: PocketGamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What sectors are covered by India’s 2026 budget allocation for talent development?
The budget focuses on animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and other interactive media sectors.
How much funding has been allocated for AVGC and gaming talent development?
The 2026 Union Budget has allocated ₹250 crore, which is approximately $27.3 million.
How will students benefit from the budget allocation?
Students will have access to AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, providing hands-on training in animation, game development, and interactive media.
What is the expected impact on the Indian gaming industry?
With coordinated policy support, India could train over 200,000 game developers, support 1,500 studios, and generate $10 billion in annual exports by 2035.
Will the budget support w3b3-related education or skills?
Yes, integrating interactive media and w3b3-related skills into national education and skilling programs is part of the government’s broader strategy to build a future-ready creative workforce.
