In a move to support the Orange Economy and boost the creative industries, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will establish content creator labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges nationwide.
“India’s animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector is a rapidly growing industry, projected to require 2 million professionals by 2030. I propose to support the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, in setting up AVGC content creator labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges across the country,” Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha.
The Finance Minister also unveiled plans for an Ayurveda centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, along with initiatives to promote veterinary colleges and diagnostic labs through global collaborations. In addition, eco-friendly mountain treks will be developed across major regions to encourage sustainable tourism.
“These initiatives are aimed at boosting skills, raising healthcare awareness, advancing research, and fostering green tourism throughout India,” Sitharaman explained.
The finance minister also proposed the creation of a high-powered 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee. This committee will focus on the services sector as a core driver of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and aim to make India a global leader in services, with a 10 per cent global share by 2047.
"The committee will identify growth, employment, and export opportunities while assessing the impact of emerging technologies, such as AI, on jobs and skill requirements, and suggest appropriate measures," she said.