Most Indian states are keen to explore growth in orange economy, says Ashish Kulkarni

India’s animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics-extended reality (AVGC-XR) sector, an integral part of the country’s upcoming Orange Economy, is preparing to take full advantage of the employment and economic growth potential it promises. The sector is expected to create over 20 lakh jobs by 2030.

Growing at 35% annually, the size of the industry is projected to cross $26 billion in the next five years, from over $ 3 billion currently. The whole country is getting ready to cash in on this upcoming orange economy opportunity, which is currently in a sunrise phase, like information technology was over 30 years ago, said Ashish Kulkarni, Director, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).

IICT, a government-backed institution, is modelled on IITs and IIMs to offer high-end training, research, and industry partnerships for AVGC-XR.

“Karnataka is the first to introduce a policy for the AVGC sector and it recently released 3.0 version of it, indicating its lead. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the States that have active AVGC-XR policies now,” Mr. Kulkarni said.

Similar policies which are under the Cabinet approval right now are of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. He further said, “We have initiated talks with Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir right now. The CM of J&K recently visited IICT to understand the scope of things and he is very keen to work on an AVGC-XR policy.”

According to Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s IT Minister, a complete ecosystem, comprising technology platforms, investor community and skilling, is getting ready currently to unleash the huge growth potential the AVGC-XR sector offers. “Karnataka is the country’s pioneer in the AVGC-XR space. Over a decade ago itself we introduced the country’s first AVGC policy and at the end of last year we unveiled the third updation of the policy stating our preparedness to grow this industry to the maximum to create true global jobs for our young people,” he said.

Mr. Kharge was speaking on the sidelines of GAFX 2026, the state’s annual AVGC-XR exposition that brought together the who’s who from the film and creative industries from across the world.

Mr. Kulkarni said talent was the critical piece for the industry to work on and develop, especially because India never had creative arts and sports learning in school curriculums.India’s animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics-extended reality (AVGC-XR) sector, an integral part of the country’s upcoming Orange Economy, is preparing to take full advantage of the employment and economic growth potential it promises, according to Ashish Kulkarni, Director, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT). The sector is expected to create over 20 lakh jobs by 2030.

Growing at 35% annually, the size of the industry is projected to cross $26 billion in the next five years, from over $ 3 billion currently. The whole country is getting ready to cash in on this upcoming orange economy opportunity, which is currently in a sunrise phase, like information technology was over 30 years ago, said Mr. Kulkarni.

IICT, a government-backed institution, is modelled on IITs and IIMs to offer high-end training, research, and industry partnerships for AVGC-XR.

“Karnataka is the first to introduce a policy for the AVGC sector and it recently released 3.0 version of it, indicating its lead. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the States that have active AVGC-XR policies now,” Mr. Kulkarni said.

Similar policies which are under the Cabinet approval right now are of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. He further said, “We have initiated talks with Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir right now. The CM of J&K recently visited IICT to understand the scope of things and he is very keen to work on an AVGC-XR policy.”

According to Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s IT Minister, a complete ecosystem, comprising technology platforms, investor community and skilling, is getting ready currently to unleash the huge growth potential the AVGC-XR sector offers. “Karnataka is the country’s pioneer in the AVGC-XR space. Over a decade ago itself we introduced the country’s first AVGC policy and at the end of last year we unveiled the third updation of the policy stating our preparedness to grow this industry to the maximum to create true global jobs for our young people,” he said.

Mr. Kharge was speaking on the sidelines of GAFX 2026, the state’s annual AVGC-XR exposition that brought together the who’s who from the film and creative industries from across the world.

Mr. Kulkarni said talent was the critical piece for the industry to work on and develop, especially because India never had creative arts and sports learning in school curriculums.

Published – February 28, 2026 11:01 pm IST