Opportunity Now Scales Through ­Policy, Not Just Passion

By Pickle  March 5, 2026

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With robust policy, education reform, and institutional momentum, Ashish SK believes India’s AVGC-XR revolution is just beginning—and its future depends on inclusive execution and opportunity for all creative minds. Ashish SK chats with Pickle

As AVGC-XR strides into mainstream policy, Ashish SK—Director of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and founder of Punnaryug Artvision—explains why India’s true creative revolution isn’t just about technology, but about harnessing national policy, grassroots talent, and inclusive education to unlock the sector’s full potential.

You’ve been closely involved in shaping India’s AVGC-XR momentum. What has changed in the last few years?

What has changed is legitimacy. It took sustained effort to convince policymakers that AVGC-XR—Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality—was not merely entertainment, but a serious economic sector.

In 2021, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting formed a Task Force on AVGC. That was a turning point. The Task Force recommended a national policy framework and the creation of a “Create in India Mission.” That idea has now entered mainstream policy thinking.

In successive Union Budgets, allocation for this space has increased. In the Union Budget 2026, ₹250 crore was granted to launch Creators’ Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 universities across India.

That is not symbolic. That is structural.

We are witnessing the formal recognition of the Orange Economy.

Why does formal policy matter so much?

Policy does four powerful things.

First, it formalises the industry. Once recognised, AVGC-XR moves from hobby status to a legitimate career pathway. Parents see it differently. Institutions invest seriously. Banks and investors gain confidence.

Second, it enables grassroots nurturing of talent. India has always had creative children. But for decades, we pushed them into medical, engineering or finance streams because those were seen as secure.

Now, under the New Education Policy framework, young students can pursue creative arts, performing arts, design, media and immersive disciplines on a level playing field.

Discussions are underway with education boards to introduce AVGC curriculum from Grade 6 onwards. I personally wanted it from Grade 1—but systemic change takes time.

This is democratisation of opportunity.

You’ve spoken about the “3Vs” shaping the future. What does that mean?

The world of tomorrow operates on three Vs—Video, Voice and Vernacular.

Reading as an educational necessity is no longer the only gateway. Technology has enabled expression in visual and audio formats across languages.

This shift expands access dramatically. Children in regions that previously lacked opportunity can now participate in creators’ culture. It is a democratisation of learning and expression.

AVGC-XR is not only about industry. It is about access.

Several states have now adopted AVGC-XR policies. How important is that decentralisation?

Extremely important. Maharashtra, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan—all have active policies. Several other states are drafting theirs.

This decentralisation builds healthy competition. States begin to invest in infrastructure, training institutes, incubation hubs and incentives. Talent no longer migrates blindly—it finds support locally.

Momentum spreads.

India is too diverse to centralise creativity. It must be federated.

You are also associated with the Indian Institute of Creative Technology. What role does that play?

The Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) is a natural extension of policy momentum.

With an interim campus at the National Film Development Corporation in Mumbai and plans for a dedicated campus in Film City, IICT represents institutional seriousness.

Just as IITs transformed engineering and IIMs transformed management education, IICT aims to formalise creative-tech excellence.

We cannot lead globally without structured academic depth.

What does this mean economically?

AVGC-XR is labour-intensive and export-oriented. It creates high-skill jobs across storytelling, design, engineering, AI integration and immersive production. It attracts global partnerships. It builds intellectual property.

Governments are beginning to see that this is not a fringe cultural activity. It is an economic multiplier.

States that move decisively will capture investment and talent.

India has demographic advantage. But advantage must be organised.

Policy is how you organise potential.

Final thought—what stage are we at?

We are at the beginning of a new-tech cultural revolution.

The foundation has been laid—through policy, education reform, institutional creation and state-level momentum.

Now comes execution.

And execution must be inclusive.

The world of tomorrow operates on three Vs—Video, Voice and Vernacular

Just as IITs transformed engineering and IIMs transformed management education, IICT aims to formalise creative-tech excellence

We are at the beginning of a new-tech cultural revolution. The foundation has been laid—through policy, education reform, institutional creation and state-level momentum