Context

The Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) Promotion Task Force report has been submitted to the government for consideration, which has proposed a ‘National AVGC-Extended Reality Mission’ with a budget outlay to be created for integrated promotion and growth of the sector.

Need of the initiative:

• India today contributes about $2.5-3 billionof the estimated $260-275 billion worldwide AVGC market.
• According to industry experts, the Indian market which currently employs about 1.85 lakh AVGC professionals, can witness a growth of 14-16%in the next decade.

About

About the proposed mission:

• Draft national and State policies for the promotion of the gaming digital sector have been submitted by the Task Force.
• A “Create in India” campaign was to be launched with an exclusive focus on content creation. It is an international AVGC platformaimed at:
  • Attracting foreign direct investment, co-production treaties and innovation in collaboration with international counterparts,
  • National and regional centres of excellence for skill development; and
  • Leveraging National Education Policy to develop creative thinking at the school level.
• University-based curriculum:A University Grants Commission (UGC)-recognised curriculum for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees has also been suggested.
• The Task Force has proposed standardisation of admission tests for AVGC-related courses.
• For Training and capacity building: Memorandum of Cooperation may be signed between India and other developed global AVGC markets like , Japan, South Korea, and Germany, for providing internships to Indian AVGC professionals.
• The report has also recommended the establishment of AVGC accelerators and innovation hubsin academic institutions.
• Democratising AVGC technologies by promoting subscription-based pricing models for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), start-ups and institutions.
• Promoting culture: It will promote indigenous technology development through incentive schemes and Intellectual Property creation, and setting up a dedicated production fund for domestic content creation from across India to promote the country’s culture and heritage globally.
• Inclusion of Women and Children:A special incentive for women entrepreneurs was also included in the sector and promotion of local children’s channels for raising awareness of the rich culture and history of India among children and youth.
• It suggested the establishment of a frameworkto ensure the protection of child rights in the digital world.