The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai has begun full academic operations with immersive studios, modern classrooms and specialised production facilities as part of India’s efforts to strengthen skills and innovation in the animation visual effects gaming comics and extended reality sector.
The institute, established as a National Centre of Excellence by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry, is currently functioning from the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies National Film Development Corporation campus in Mumbai.
Officials said development of the institute’s permanent campus at Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai is underway. The campus is expected to further expand training capacity and strengthen industry collaboration in advanced digital content creation technologies.
The institute has introduced 18 specialised courses across different domains of the AVGC XR sector, covering areas such as animation production, visual effects design, immersive media, gaming technologies and digital storytelling. So far, 136 students have enrolled in these programmes.
In addition to regular academic programmes, the institute has also conducted a Train the Trainer initiative aimed at strengthening the pool of skilled instructors and mentors in the creative technology ecosystem. A total of 15 participants have successfully completed this training programme.
Officials stated that the institute has been designed to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements by combining classroom learning with hands on practical exposure. The facility includes immersive studios, advanced sound production labs and editing suites that allow students to work with industry standard tools and production workflows.
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies has also established collaborations with global technology leaders to strengthen training capabilities and introduce advanced digital production technologies into the curriculum. These partnerships are expected to provide students with exposure to emerging tools and workflows used across international animation, gaming and visual effects industries.
The collaborations aim to ensure that students and creators from across India gain access to cutting edge technologies and professional expertise required to compete in the global AVGC XR market.
Alongside academic programmes, the institute is also nurturing entrepreneurship in the creative technology sector through its incubation initiatives. Currently, 11 startups from different parts of the country are being supported through incubation programmes that provide mentorship, infrastructure and industry guidance.
Officials said the incubation programme is designed to encourage innovation in digital storytelling, immersive experiences, game development and visual media technologies. The initiative also aims to help emerging startups convert creative ideas into viable commercial ventures.
To guide the institute’s growth and ensure alignment with industry needs, multiple advisory bodies have been established. These include the Academic Council, the Industry Development Council, the Research and Development Council and the Skills Council.
These councils comprise industry experts, academicians and professionals who provide strategic guidance on curriculum design, research priorities, technology adoption and industry partnerships.
The institute is expected to play a key role in strengthening India’s position as a global hub for animation visual effects gaming comics and extended reality technologies. The AVGC XR sector has been identified as a high growth creative industry capable of generating employment opportunities for young professionals in digital media, entertainment and immersive technology domains.
Officials said the institute will contribute to building a strong talent pipeline while supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the rapidly evolving creative technology sector.
The information was provided in the Lok Sabha in a written reply by L Murugan.
