I&B Ministry
I&B Budget 2026–27 allocates Rs 250 crore to AVGC sector
Rs 1,361.79 crore for schemes, Rs 1,823.66 crore earmarked for spectrum charges.
MUMBAI: India’s content economy just got a fresh script and this one comes with a bigger budget and sharper ambition. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Budget Estimates for 2026–27 signal a clear push towards scaling India’s creative industries, with a headline allocation of Rs 250 crore for the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector under the government’s ‘Orange Economy’ vision.
The move positions AVGC not just as entertainment, but as economic infrastructure placing animation studios, gaming developers, VFX houses and comic creators squarely within India’s growth narrative.
Beyond AVGC, the ministry has outlined a total allocation of Rs 1,361.79 crore across key central sector schemes spanning information, film and broadcasting.
The film sector takes the largest share at Rs 594.55 crore, aimed at strengthening production ecosystems, film institutions, preservation efforts and international collaborations. The broadcasting sector follows with Rs 509.24 crore under major schemes, alongside an additional Rs 8 crore earmarked for sector-specific support initiatives.
Meanwhile, the information sector has been allocated Rs 250 crore, indicating continued investment in digital communication and content outreach infrastructure.
A significant portion of the budget Rs 1,823.66 crore has been set aside for spectrum charges payable to the Department of Telecommunications, underlining the critical role of transmission infrastructure in sustaining India’s broadcast and digital media ecosystem.
Taken together, the numbers suggest a dual-track strategy: investing in both pipes and content. While spectrum payments keep the distribution backbone intact, targeted scheme allocations aim to fuel creation, innovation and scale.
For the AVGC segment, the Rs 250 crore allocation could translate into tangible momentum ranging from skill development and production incentives to IP creation and export opportunities. As global demand for gaming and animated content surges, India appears keen to move from being a consumption market to a creation hub.
The broader film allocation of nearly Rs 595 crore also signals continued support for cinema beyond mainstream markets, potentially benefiting regional industries, film festivals and co-production frameworks.
In broadcasting, the Rs 509 crore-plus spend reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to modernising public service delivery, expanding rural reach and strengthening digital transmission capabilities.
More importantly, the language of the budget hints at a larger shift. The ‘Orange Economy’ framing suggests that creativity is no longer being treated as a cultural afterthought, but as a strategic economic lever—one that spans creators, platforms, technology and intellectual property.
For an industry navigating the intersection of storytelling and scale, this budget doesn’t just fund content, it backs the idea that India’s next big export might not be goods, but stories.
