In a landmark move to bolster India’s position in the global creative economy, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) at WAVES 2025. Elaborating more on the plans that the government has for the new institution, Minister Vaishnaw stated, “IICT will follow the same template as the IITs and IIMs in India to transform itself into a massive world-class education and training hub for students who aspire to be professionals in the AVGC-XR sector. We have started an initiative that is completely novel in the world of film and entertainment. It follows the vision of our Prime Minister that India can take the global lead in the world in the media and entertainment sector.”
The IICT is envisioned as a premier institution dedicated to the study of many different creative media such as Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality. Modeled after the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), IICT aims to provide world-class education, research, and innovation in the creative technology domain.
Leading technology companies like Google, NVIDIA, and Microsoft have already shown support for the launch of the new institution by signing Letters of Intent as a way to create early and strong ties with IICT. These partnerships are set to enhance skill development, co-create platforms, and foster innovation within the institute.
The Government of India has allocated around Rs. 400 crore for the establishment of IICT. A 10-acre piece of land at Dadasaheb Phalke Film City has also been set aside for the institute’s permanent campus. Until the campus is fully established in Mumbai’s film city, IICT will set up a temporary campus at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) building.
With over 40 million creators living in India, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted India’s vast creative potential that needs to be fully utilised. He emphasized that IICT will serve as a catalyst for nurturing this talent, providing them with the necessary tools and training to excel in the global digital content industry.
With the launch of the IICT, India is getting closer to its goal of becoming a global hub for art industries and making use of its large population that works with many different creative media. By fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia, IICT is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the AVGC-XR sectors, driving innovation, and creating employment opportunities for the youth.
