IICT: Nurturing India’s Creative Future

By Pickle February 11, 2026

This year’s Rs 250 crore budget allocation will enable creative labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges, laying the groundwork for a robust AVGC-XR talent pipeline that aligns education with industry needs across India.

By Ashish Kulkarni

The recent announcement in the Union Budget, allocating Rs 250 crore for the development of creative labs in schools and colleges, marks a transformative milestone for India’s education and creative industries. As someone deeply involved with the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT), I see this not just as a financial investment, but as a decisive step towards realizing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision for a multidisciplinary, future-ready India.

From Policy to Practice: The IICT Mission

NEP 2020 has already given Indian schools the mandate to adopt new, dynamic curricula. Now, with the government’s support, we at IICT have the responsibility—and privilege—of making this change tangible in classrooms across the country. Our mission goes beyond building infrastructure. We are curating a creative ecosystem that spans from secondary school to university, providing continuity and depth in creative education.

IICT is actively working with state boards and educational institutions nationwide. Our approach ensures that creative labs are not mere showcases of technology, but living classrooms where students can explore animation, VFX, gaming, comics, and extended reality (AVGC-XR). Through hands-on learning and industry-aligned modules, we are nurturing both imagination and employability.

Seamless Learning Pathways: Bridging School and University

One of the persistent challenges in Indian education has been the gap between school and higher education. IICT is addressing this by designing a curriculum that evolves from foundational creative arts and digital storytelling in secondary school to advanced, specialized learning at the university level. This structured approach means that a student who first discovers their passion in a school lab can continue their journey seamlessly into higher education and, eventually, the creative industry.

Our efforts are not restricted to metropolitan centers. By making creative labs accessible in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges—including those in semi-urban and rural areas—we are empowering young minds everywhere, ensuring that creativity knows no boundaries.

Collaboration for Global Standards

The scale of this initiative demands robust partnerships. IICT has forged collaborations with technology giants such as NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Adobe, and Apple. These alliances enable us to keep our curriculum current, practical, and globally relevant. Students benefit from exposure to real-world tools, internships, and mentorship directly from industry leaders.

Furthermore, academic partnerships with institutions like the University of York and support from industry bodies such as FICCI and CII ensure that our programs meet international standards while remaining rooted in Indian realities.

Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship

IICT is more than an educational institution; it is a launchpad for startups and innovation. We have already incubated over 20 media and entertainment startups and are actively fostering research, development, and intellectual property creation in the AVGC-XR space.

Our forthcoming permanent campus at Film City, Mumbai, will stand as a beacon of creativity and innovation—a place where tradition meets technology, and ideas can flourish.

Emphasizing Responsibility in Emerging Technologies

IICT’s upcoming School of Emerging Intelligence embeds ethical storytelling, emotional intelligence, and responsibility into its programs—preparing students to wield AI and immersive technologies with responsibility, ethics, and emotional intelligence. Storytelling is at the heart of the AVGC-XR industry, and it is our duty to ensure that the next generation of creators wields technology with empathy and integrity.

A Vision for a Creative India

The Union Budget’s allocation is more than a financial boost; it is an affirmation of India’s creative potential. Through the establishment of creative labs and the advancement of AVGC-XR education, we are laying the foundation for a new generation of innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs—individuals who will tell India’s stories to the world.

As we embark on this journey, I am confident that with continued government support, industry partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to excellence, India will soon be recognized as a global leader in creative technology and storytelling.

(Ashish SK – Founding Director Iict & Founder – Punnaryug Aryvision Pvt Ltd.).