The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the creation of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), modeled on prestigious institutions like IITs and IIMs. The NCoE will serve as the cornerstone of India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem, aimed at positioning the country as a global content hub for state-of-the-art animation and visual effects. This initiative is expected to enhance India’s soft power and attract significant foreign investments into the media and entertainment sector.

Located in Mumbai, the center will operate as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013. Industry bodies, including the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), will collaborate with the government in establishing this institution.

Speaking about the initiative, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the crucial role the AVGC-XR sector plays in media and entertainment, contributing to everything from filmmaking and OTT platforms to gaming, advertising, education, and healthcare. The global demand for AVGC-XR is growing rapidly due to advancements in technology and increased internet penetration across India, with some of the cheapest data rates globally. To match this pace, the NCoE will anchor the development of the AVGC-XR ecosystem in the country.

The NCoE will offer specialized training programs for both newcomers and professionals to develop cutting-edge skills in AVGC-XR technologies. The center will also drive research and innovation, bringing together experts from fields like computer science, engineering, design, and art to lead breakthroughs in the sector.

A key focus of the NCoE will be to create intellectual property (IP) rooted in India’s rich historical and cultural heritage, catering to both domestic and international audiences. Additionally, the center will act as an incubator for startups and early-stage companies in the AVGC-XR field, providing essential resources to help nurture and grow new businesses. This combination of academic and industry acceleration is expected to drive innovation and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Union Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that the NCoE will become a major source of employment for the country’s youth, especially in the creative arts and design sectors. By positioning India as a global leader in the AVGC-XR industry, the center will play a pivotal role in supporting the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative, further boosting the nation’s standing on the global stage.

Source: PTI

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