IICT Launch Marks India’s Big Leap in Creative Technologies

By Pickle August 10, 2025

IICT opens in Mumbai, blending global tech partnerships and industry-led courses to make India a world leader in animation, gaming, VFX, and XR, with IIT-level ambition for creative talent.

In a landmark move to position India as a global hub for creative technologies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with FICCI and CII, has launched the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT)—the country’s first National Centre of Excellence dedicated to the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector.

The announcement, made by Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Railways, Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw at the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, was followed by the formal inauguration of IICT’s first campus at the NFDC Complex, jointly with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The campus houses administrative offices, classrooms, and training facilities, with a second, purpose-built campus planned at Film City, Mumbai, on land provided by the Maharashtra government.

“PM Modi’s dream was to have an institution of the scale of IITs and IIMs in the field of creative technologies. We are following that same template to make IICT a world-class institution.”- Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Railways, Electronics and IT

Calling the launch a “completely novel initiative in the world of film and entertainment,” Vaishnaw said: “PM Modi’s dream was to have an institution of the scale of IITs and IIMs in the field of creative technologies. We are following that same template to make IICT a world-class institution. By equipping the creative economy with new skills, tools, and global best practices, we will incubate ideas and technologies made in India, for the world.”

With a budget allocation of ₹400 crore, IICT aims to train its first cohort of 300 students starting August 2025, alongside advanced programmes for working professionals. Courses will be industry-aligned, covering VFX, post-production, XR, gaming, and animation.

“The AVGC-XR sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of the creative economy. IICT is not just about producing skilled graduates—it’s about building an innovation engine that will feed India’s leadership in immersive and digital content for decades to come.” – Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, I&B

Strong Industry and Academic Ties

IICT has forged an impressive network of global and domestic partners, including Google, YouTube, Adobe, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Apple, WPP, and JioStar. These collaborations will support curriculum design, internships, scholarships, incubation facilities, and placements. A landmark MoU with the University of York, UK, paves the way for joint research, faculty exchange, and internationally recognised certifications.

Building further momentum, IICT has signed agreements with Comic Con India—to provide students with industry exposure through showcases, hackathons, and IP development—and with Green Rain Studios, India’s first Unreal Authorized Training Center, to deliver cutting-edge skills in real-time technology, virtual production, and immersive media.

Comprehensive, Future-Ready Curriculum

The inaugural academic portfolio features 17 specialised programmes: four in post-production (6–28 weeks), nine in animation, comics, and XR (6 weeks–1 year), and four in gaming (3 months–1 year). The curriculum has been designed with top industry players to match global standards while reflecting India’s creative potential.

IICT CEO Vishwas Deoskar described the vision as “making India a global powerhouse in the AVGC-XR sector by nurturing world-class talent.” A detailed curriculum will be released later this month.

Governance and Leadership

IICT’s Governing Board includes senior figures from government and industry: Sanjay Jaju, Vikas Kharge, Swati Mhase, Chandrajit Banerjee, Ashish Kulkarni, Manvendra Shukul, and Rajan Navani. The Governing Council features Munjal Shroff, Chaitanya Chichlikar, Biren Ghose, Bhupendra Kainthola, and Gaurav Banerjee.

Speaking on the institute’s strategic importance, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju said: “The AVGC-XR sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of the creative economy. IICT is not just about producing skilled graduates—it’s about building an innovation engine that will feed India’s leadership in immersive and digital content for decades to come.”

Towards a Global Creative Leadership

The launch of IICT comes at a time when the global AVGC-XR market is expanding at an unprecedented pace, with immersive media, gaming, and animation driving new waves of economic opportunity. India’s vast talent base, coupled with the government’s vision and industry partnerships, positions the country to claim a significant share of this growth.

As Vaishnaw concluded at the inaugural event: “India can take the global lead in media and entertainment. IICT will be the crucible where talent meets technology, and ideas turn into world-class creative output.”

With admissions now open and industry partnerships in full swing, IICT’s journey from a bold vision to a national creative powerhouse has officially begun—setting the stage for India’s next big leap in the digital age.