Cabinet approves National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR

New Delhi, Sep 18: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).

The new NCoE will be set up as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013, with industry partners such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) collaborating with the government.

The NCoE will be located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and marks a major step in implementing the Union Finance Minister’s 2022-23 budget announcement, which called for the creation of an AVGC Task Force. The initiative aims to strengthen India's footprint in the rapidly evolving AVGC-XR sector, which is critical to the growth of the media and entertainment industry, including filmmaking, Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, gaming, advertising, and even non-traditional areas like education and healthcare.

India’s AVGC-XR sector is on the rise, with expanding internet access, affordable data rates, and growing digital platforms propelling its growth.

Globally, this field is experiencing exponential expansion, and the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence is part of India’s strategy to meet rising demand for high-quality content and technology in this space.

The NCoE is envisioned as a hub for training, research, and development in the AVGC-XR sector. It will offer specialized programs designed to equip professionals with cutting-edge skills in technologies such as animation, visual effects, gaming, and extended reality. The centre will bring together experts from various fields—computer science, engineering, design, and art—to drive breakthroughs in AVGC-XR, further solidifying India’s position as a leader in this domain.

Creating India's Intellectual Property and Boosting Employment

One of the NCoE's key objectives is to promote the creation of intellectual property (IP) rooted in India’s rich cultural and historical heritage. By providing resources to startups and early-stage companies, the NCoE will also function as an incubator for innovation in the AVGC-XR space. It is expected to play a dual role as both an academic and industry accelerator, nurturing talent and creativity across the sector.

The centre’s establishment is also projected to create significant employment opportunities for youth across the country. By positioning itself as a hub for AVGC-XR activities, the NCoE is expected to drive growth in India’s creative arts and design sector, in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Enhancing India’s Global Standing

Beyond domestic growth, the NCoE is expected to bolster India’s soft power by positioning the country as a global content hub for state-of-the-art AVGC-XR production. This will not only attract foreign investment but also enhance India’s reputation in the global media and entertainment market.

With the Union Cabinet’s approval, the NCoE is poised to become a cornerstone in India’s media and entertainment landscape, promoting innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to India’s global influence in the rapidly expanding AVGC-XR sector.