Celebrating International Animation Day – Realizing India’s Animation Potential in a Global Market
On the 22nd International Animation Day, we celebrate India’s growing and impactful role in the animation industry, a journey that reflects the nation’s growing international significance and technical prowess. The Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, spoke recently on Mann Ki Baat about India’s expanding influence in the animation and gaming sectors, specifically emphasizing the rise of beloved characters like Chhota Bheem, Krishna, Motu-Patlu, and Bal Hanuman, which have won hearts globally. As he shared, these characters showcase India’s potential to be a global powerhouse in animation.
Animation as an art form seamlessly blends creativity with technology. From its early roots in India during the 1950s, with pioneering work by figures like Ram Mohan and Bhimsain, the industry has evolved dramatically. Starting with simple yet endearing hand-drawn animated films, Indian animation found early success in advertising and short films with powerful social messages, such as Ek Anek Aur Ekta. This marked a beginning that would grow into a vast ecosystem supporting global content creation today.
Over the years, the industry has expanded from serving the domestic market to partnering on international projects, building a reputation for reliability and creativity. Today, India ranks as the world’s second-largest producer of animated content, with its studios creating animated series, films, and high-quality VFX for international blockbusters.
This sector is a major opportunity for India from a skilling, livelihoods, and entrepreneurship perspective.
The Skill India Mission, led by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has strategically invested in the animation, gaming, and visual effects sectors. At the forefront of this initiative is the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), which focuses on structured, industry-aligned training. As the skilling arm of MSDE and NSDC, MESC collaborates with leading studios, educational institutions, and experts to develop Qualification Packs (QPs) that define the necessary skills for various animation roles. These QPs ensure training aligns with industry standards, preparing a workforce skilled in animation techniques, 3D modelling, virtual production, and VFX. Through Skill India, MESC nurtures young talent, enabling them to engage in global projects. By offering certification, workshops, and masterclasses, we’re fostering continuous learning, helping build a robust talent pool that drives India’s animation industry to new heights. This is part of the government’s overall vision of a self-sufficient economy fuelled by skilled, creative talent.
Recognizing the vast potential of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector, the Government of India has implemented a comprehensive National AVGC Policy. This policy, based on recommendations from the AVGC Task Force, aims to strengthen India’s position as a global content hub by encouraging investment, innovation, and collaboration between industry and academia.
A key initiative under this policy is the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for AVGC-XR. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for creative and technical innovation, providing access to advanced tools and fostering world-class talent. By facilitating research, production, and international partnerships, the NCoE aims to attract investments and enhance India’s ability to produce high-quality content for the global market. These efforts align with the government’s vision of positioning India as a leading destination for AVGC talent and content creation, ensuring the sector’s sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
India’s animation and VFX industry has grown significantly, with the Animation, Visual Effects, and Post-Production segment alone valued at over INR 114 billion, projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.5% and reach INR 185 billion by 2026, as per the FICCI-EY Media & Entertainment industry report 2024. The demand for animation has expanded beyond traditional media to online streaming platforms, mobile gaming, and educational content, which are increasingly popular with both children and adult audiences worldwide.
Moreover, mobile gaming has reshaped the gaming landscape, positioning India as one of the largest gaming markets globally. Indian-made games and culturally relevant characters are finding a large audience domestically and internationally, reflecting the blending of traditional storytelling with new-age digital formats.
The journey ahead involves expanding our Centre of Excellence to democratize access to animation training, fostering innovation, and creating employment opportunities across the country. By focusing on skill development, infrastructure, and policy support, we are committed to empowering Indian animators to share India’s unique stories, characters, and creativity with the world.
On this International Animation Day, we celebrate the dedicated animators, storytellers, and visionaries shaping India’s animation industry. We also commit to working tirelessly to make India not only the global hub for this sector but also take the opportunity to accelerate opportunities for our creative, talented, and entrepreneurial members of the work force to have this sector be a major contributor to the India growth story.
Indian animation as highlighted by the Prime Minister, is creating a new revolution globally, showcasing the talent, culture, and innovation of our country on the world stage. Through our collective efforts in skill development, focus on livelihoods, policy support, and infrastructure, India is poised to become a global animation powerhouse. With bold creativity and a dynamic industry, the future of Indian animation is indeed bright, bold, and boundless. We must make sure we take advantage of this opportunity in the years to come.
Author: Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Govt of India
