India's Creative Industry and Orange Economy
The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted plans to enhance India's 'orange economy' in her Budget speech. The focus is on the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector, anticipated to need two million professionals by 2030. Steps include supporting the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in establishing AVGC content creator labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges across India.
Design Education
To address the shortage of Indian designers, a new National Institute of Design will be established in the eastern region of India through a challenge route.
Heritage and Culture Tourism
- Development of 15 archaeological sites like Lothal, Dholavira, and Sarnath into vibrant cultural destinations.
- Introduction of immersive storytelling and technologies to enhance public access and conservation efforts.
Economic Impact
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26:
- Revenue from gaming in 2024 was around Rs 232 billion.
- Animation and VFX accounted for Rs 103 billion.
- Live entertainment exceeded Rs 100 billion, with significant benefits to tourism and urban services.
Industry Perspectives
Sanjoy Roy, a cultural entrepreneur, praised the Finance Minister's announcements, highlighting the role of creative industries in job creation and local economic development. He emphasized the potential of exporting creative services and leveraging India's smart power through global festivals.
Orange Economy Concept
Coined by Iván Duque Márquez and Felipe Buitrago, the Orange Economy relates to activities transforming ideas into cultural goods and services, encompassing cultural and creative industries. The color 'orange' symbolizes culture, creativity, and identity.
Global and National Creative Economy
Globally, the creative economy generates over $2 trillion annually, providing nearly 50 million jobs. In India, the creative industry is valued at $30 billion, employing 8% of the workforce. Creative exports grew by 20% in 2023-24, earning over $11 billion.
Regulatory Challenges
Sanjoy Roy highlighted ongoing challenges with permissions and clearances, advocating for single-window clearance processes, which Maharashtra and Delhi are attempting to implement.
