Digital
Game on India as govt eyes next level for digital entertainment
MUMBAI: India’s digital entertainment game is levelling up. quite literally. At Storyboard18’s Digital Entertainment Summit (DES) 2025, Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, made it clear that gaming is no longer a side quest but a central pillar of India’s M&E economy.
“Gaming now forms a very important pillar and part of the overall digital media and entertainment landscape,” said Jaju, underscoring how convergence between tech, youth energy, and content is reshaping India’s global creative ambitions.
Citing Waves 2025 India’s flagship AV and entertainment summit, Jaju said the gaming pavilion, buzzing with emerging studios and new-age IPs, showed just how far the industry has come. From immersive platforms to evolving creator economies, Jaju spotlighted gaming, animation, audio streaming, and OTT as drivers of India’s new digital narrative.
To boost this transformation, the Ministry is launching the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in Mumbai, operational from September 2025. The institute aims to become a breeding ground for talent and incubation hub for creative startups. “It will be a great place for people to hone their skills and for smaller companies to get incubated,” he said.
Jaju also called for:
. Investment in low-cost cinema halls to bring films to India’s hinterlands
. Strategic focus on making India a global production hub, leveraging cost advantages and local talent
. Nurturing digital innovation through AI, XR, and VR-led platforms
His three-part vision?
. Creative Excellence – Turning India into a storytelling powerhouse
. Digital Innovation – Leading in immersive tech
. Inclusive Growth – Tapping talent across every corner of India
As he urged the industry to walk and think together, Jaju wrapped with a rousing call: “Our time has come, and the future is now.”
With a booming gaming culture, homegrown creators, and government backing, India’s entertainment sector is set to not just entertain the world but lead it.
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Digital
Maharashtra partners OpenAI, Sarvam AI to boost state’s tech ecosystem
State to set up dedicated AI department and roll out frontier technology policies
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to become a primary hub for artificial intelligence following the 2026–27 Budget announcement. chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the state has signed letters of intent with global giant OpenAI and national pioneer Sarvam AI to integrate advanced technology into the state’s economic and administrative framework.
The collaboration with OpenAI and Sarvam AI marks a shift towards adopting cutting-edge generative tools for governance. These partnerships, alongside MoUs with IIT Bombay and BharatGen, are designed to create a robust ecosystem for research and innovation. The move signals the state’s intent to bring together global technology leaders and domestic research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors.
Regarding the strategic intent of these alliances, chief minister Fadnavis stated, “With the objective of making the State’s Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector dynamic, letters of intent have been signed with globally and nationally reputed institutions like OpenAI and Sarvam AI to facilitate the Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector in the state.”
To manage these high-level partnerships and ensure effective implementation, the government is establishing an independent department of electronics, Information technology, and artificial intelligence. The new department will function with a dedicated commissionerate and specialised technical manpower, enabling faster decision-making, improved coordination, and stronger accountability in executing technology-driven initiatives.
The state also plans to introduce special policies aimed at strengthening its position in emerging technology sectors. These policies will focus on advancing Maharashtra as a global hub for frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles, and deep technology.
According to the chief minister, “The state government plans to introduce special policies to develop Maharashtra as a world-class hub for frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles and deep technology.”
Artificial intelligence is already being integrated into the state’s governance framework. A collaboration with Microsoft has led to the development of MahaCrimeOS AI, a platform that has reportedly reduced police investigation times by 80 per cent across 23 police stations in Nagpur. The initiative demonstrates how AI-driven tools can significantly enhance law enforcement efficiency and data analysis capabilities.
The government is also working toward building a fully digitised administrative ecosystem. Plans are underway to achieve complete digitisation of land transactions and implement electronic office systems across departments, paving the way for a paperless government. In addition, a pilot project will introduce AI-powered solutions in 75 selected villages to improve infrastructure, governance efficiency, and overall quality of life in rural areas.
To strengthen digital infrastructure and data protection, the state also intends to establish an advanced data centre in Nagpur. This facility will be designed to safeguard sensitive and sovereign information while supporting large-scale digital services and government platforms.
These initiatives form part of Maharashtra’s broader cyber security and digital transformation strategy aligned with the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision. By partnering with global and domestic technology leaders such as OpenAI and Sarvam AI, the state aims to build a secure, future-ready digital ecosystem that enhances citizen services, supports innovation, and strengthens India’s position in emerging technologies.
