I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju reviews IICT growth, plans content creator labs in 15,000 schools
Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Tuesday reviewed the expansion plans of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, outlining a broader push to strengthen India’s creative talent pipeline and digital content ecosystem.
During his visit to the institute at the NFDC complex in Mumbai, Jaju held discussions with board members and industry stakeholders on scaling academic programmes, upgrading infrastructure, and aligning training with evolving industry needs.
Expansion plans and student growth
The institute has already begun operations, with around 150 students currently enrolled. The government is aiming to scale this number to 400 students by July, alongside expanding its startup incubation efforts.
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At present, IICT is supporting 11 startups, with plans to grow this number to at least 20 through on-campus incubation, in addition to virtual support for more ventures. A larger campus is also in the pipeline at Film City in Goregaon, with operations expected to begin by 2028.
Focus on creative economy and emerging sectors
Discussions during the visit also centred on strengthening India’s position in high-growth segments such as gaming, visual effects (VFX), and digital content creation. These areas have been identified as key drivers of the country’s expanding media and entertainment sector.
The institute currently offers specialised programmes across animation, gaming, post-production, and extended reality (XR), along with shorter courses in emerging fields such as virtual reality filmmaking, esports management, and AI-driven content production.
Creator labs in schools and colleges
One of the key proposals reviewed during the visit was the establishment of content creator labs across educational institutions nationwide. The plan envisions setting up such labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges.
The initiative is aimed at building early-stage digital skills, promoting media literacy, and preparing students for opportunities in the fast-growing creator economy.
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Startup incubation and industry collaboration
Jaju emphasised the need for IICT to evolve into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the media and entertainment space. The focus is on nurturing startups and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry to ensure job-ready skills and practical exposure.
The institute’s infrastructure, including production and post-production facilities, is being positioned as a key asset to support both training and content development.
Broader government push
The visit aligns with the government’s wider efforts to expand the “Orange Economy,” which aims to connect millions of people to creative and digital professions. Targets include significantly increasing participation in content creation and related fields in the coming years.
Jaju also visited the National Museum of Indian Cinema, where he interacted with students, highlighting the role of cultural and educational institutions in promoting creative learning.
With expansion plans underway and new initiatives in the pipeline, IICT is being positioned as a central pillar in India’s strategy to build a globally competitive creative workforce.
As demand for digital content continues to rise, the success of such initiatives will play a key role in shaping the future of India’s media and entertainment industry.
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