In a significant move to boost the nation's creative industries and empower its youth, the Union Budget 2026, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, included provisions for establishing content creator labs in 15,000 schools and a new National Institute of Design (NID) in eastern India. These initiatives are designed to cater to India's burgeoning creator economy and address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector.
The content creator labs, to be set up in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges, will be supported by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai. This initiative aims to strengthen India's next-generation creator workforce and support jobs, startups, and innovation in the creative economy. Sitharaman highlighted the rapid expansion of India's AVGC sector, projecting a need for around two million professionals by 2030. By providing early exposure to these fields, the labs are expected to bridge the skills gap and open up career pathways for young people.
The emphasis on the "orange economy," which includes culture, media, entertainment, and intellectual property, aligns with the Economic Survey 2025-26, which recognizes these sectors as significant drivers of employment, urban services, and tourism. The government's commitment extends beyond AVGC, with plans to establish a girls' hostel in every district to support STEM education, and five university townships near major industrial and logistics hubs to strengthen higher education and research.
To further strengthen design and innovation education, the Union Budget 2026 also includes the establishment of a new National Institute of Design (NID) in eastern India. This initiative aims to nurture creative talent and support the country's expanding design industry. Finance Minister Sitharaman noted the rapid expansion of the Indian design industry and the existing shortage of Indian designers, emphasizing the need for targeted skill development and institutional expansion.
The Union Budget 2026 demonstrates the government's commitment to investing in education, research, and creative industries to empower the youth and drive economic growth. In addition to these measures, the budget includes the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda (AIIA) and the upgrade of existing NIPERs. The budget also proposes to develop five university townships near major industrial and logistics hubs. These townships are expected to house multiple universities and colleges, along with residential facilities and advanced research infrastructure, giving a boost to higher education and regional development.