I&B Ministry
FTII gets new auditorium; I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates it
MUMBAI: At last some attention is being paid to the venerable Film & Television Institute of India. A new auditorium in its complex was ribbon cut by I&B, railways, and electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on 11 January.
This marked Vaishnaw’s first visit to the esteemed institution, which operates under the ministry of information and broadcasting. The minister was joined by students as he cut the ribbon and lit the ceremonial lamp, symbolising the beginning of a new chapter for FTII.
In an open forum with students and faculty following the inauguration, Vaishnaw articulated his vision for FTII’s future, aiming to elevate the institute on the global stage.
“Our legacy and heritage provide a firm foundation to embark on the journey of further excellence,” he stated, emphasising the importance of advancing the institution’s educational offerings.
The minister addressed various questions from faculty and students, particularly regarding the proposed deemed university status for FTII. He also shared his vision for cinema education in India, focusing on strengthening career prospects for students and fostering greater industry linkages.
Citing the success of Gati Shakti Vishvavidyalaya, which has rapidly become a key talent provider for global players, Vaishnaw underlined the importance of such industry partnerships.
The newly inaugurated auditorium, with a seating capacity of 586, is equipped with state-of-the-art features, including a cinema projector, a PA system for stage performances, and a cutting-edge Dolby Atmos surround sound system.
One of its most innovative features is a horizontally movable screen, measuring 50 feet in width and 20 feet in height. This screen can be easily adjusted with a remote control, transforming the auditorium into a full-fledged cinema theatre. This pioneering feature, which sets a new standard for flexibility in auditorium design, is believed to be the first of its kind, and FTII has already filed for a patent for the technology.
During his visit, Vaishnaw also toured various facilities at the institute and interacted with faculty members.
Reflecting on the creative economy, he remarked, “With the talent and ecosystem of FTII, we can become a bigger player in the global entertainment industry.”
I&B Ministry
Government sets up AI governance group to steer policy
AIGEG to align ministries, assess jobs impact, guide AI deployment.
MUMBAI: If artificial intelligence is the engine, the government is now building the dashboard and making sure everyone reads from the same screen. The Centre has constituted a new inter-ministerial body to coordinate India’s approach to AI, formalising a key recommendation from its governance framework and the Economic Survey. The AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG), set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, will act as the central platform to align AI-related policy across ministries, regulators and departments, an attempt to bring coherence to what has so far been a fragmented and fast-evolving landscape.
The group will be chaired by union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with minister of state Jitin Prasada as vice chairperson. Its composition reflects both technological and economic priorities, bringing together the principal scientific adviser, the chief economic adviser, and the CEO of NITI Aayog, alongside key secretaries from telecommunications, economic affairs and science and technology. A representative from the National Security Council Secretariat is also part of the group, while the MeitY secretary will serve as member convenor.
At its core, AIGEG is designed to do two things: coordinate and anticipate. On the policy front, it will review existing regulatory mechanisms, issue guidance across sectors and ensure companies remain compliant with evolving legal frameworks. Beyond that, it will oversee national initiatives on AI governance, with a focus on enabling responsible innovation rather than merely regulating it.
The economic dimension is equally central. The group has been tasked with assessing how AI-driven automation could reshape jobs identifying which roles are most at risk, where those impacts may be geographically concentrated, and whether technology will augment or replace human labour. Based on these assessments, it will develop mitigation strategies and transition plans, signalling a more proactive stance on workforce disruption.
In parallel, AIGEG will work with industry stakeholders to chart a long-term roadmap for AI adoption, categorising use cases into “deploy”, “pilot” or “defer” buckets depending on readiness factors such as data availability, skill levels and regulatory clarity. The aim is to move from broad ambition to structured execution deciding not just what can be built, but what should be built now.
The group will function as the apex layer in India’s AI governance architecture, supported by a Technology and Policy Expert Committee that will track global developments, emerging risks and regulatory priorities. Together, the two bodies are expected to shape both the pace and direction of AI adoption in the country.
In a landscape where technology often outruns policy, the creation of AIGEG signals an attempt to close that gap ensuring that India’s AI journey is not just rapid, but also coordinated, accountable and economically grounded.
