In a move aimed at bolstering the nation's creative economy, the Union Budget 2026, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, has unveiled significant initiatives to support the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector. A key highlight of the budget is the establishment of content creator labs in 15,000 secondary schools across the country. This initiative will be spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai.

The AVGC sector is experiencing rapid growth and is projected to require 2 million professionals by 2030. The establishment of these labs aims to address the skills gap in this rapidly expanding "orange economy" by nurturing early-stage skills and broadening the talent pipeline. In addition to the secondary schools, 500 colleges will also benefit from the establishment of these AVGC content creator labs.

Furthermore, the Budget 2026 includes the establishment of a new National Institute of Design. This institute will be located in the eastern region of India and aims to strengthen creative education and expand design-led skill development beyond metropolitan cities. The move is intended to address the shortage of Indian designers in the rapidly expanding design industry.

The Finance Minister emphasized the importance of creativity-led sectors as key drivers for employment and economic growth. The "orange economy," which encompasses culture, media, entertainment, and intellectual property, is seen as a significant engine for job creation, urban services, and tourism.

Other key announcements in the Education Budget 2026 included the establishment of at least one girls' hostel in each district to ensure safe accommodation for female students and reduce dropouts. The NDA government will also set up five university townships in the vicinity of major industrial logistics centers. Moreover, there will be three new national institutes for pharmaceutical education and research and also 7 new institutes for Ayurveda.

These initiatives signal the government's commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and skill development in the country. By investing in education and infrastructure for the creative sector, the government aims to unlock the potential of India's youth and drive economic growth in the years to come.