Creative Economy Emerging as Major Growth Driver for India’s Youth

New Delhi-  India’s expanding creative economy is opening fresh avenues for employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly for the country’s young population, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L. Murugan said on Friday.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Jindal Policy Conclave on “Law, Policy, and the Creative Economy” at O.P. Jindal Global University, Murugan highlighted the growing contribution of creative sectors such as film, music, gaming, animation, design, publishing, advertising and digital content.

The Minister said the creative economy, powered by ideas, culture, innovation and intellectual property, is becoming an increasingly important part of the global economy. According to the figures cited by him, the sector accounts for 3.1 per cent of global GDP and 6.2 per cent of global employment.

India already has an estimated 57 million people engaged in cultural and creative occupations, while the country’s media and entertainment industry is valued at around ₹2.5 trillion.

Murugan said the expansion of these industries could create significant opportunities for young Indians in both employment and entrepreneurship.

The Minister particularly underlined the potential of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector. The industry is projected to require nearly 2 million skilled professionals by 2030, creating substantial demand for specialised talent.

To prepare young people for these emerging opportunities, the government has announced support for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and plans to establish AVGC Creator Labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges.

These initiatives are aimed at developing future-ready skills and expanding access to training in creative and technology-driven fields.

Murugan also stressed that the rapid development of the creative economy needs an effective legal and policy framework. He highlighted issues including copyright protection, fair remuneration for creators and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

He said policy frameworks must evolve alongside technological developments to protect creators while allowing innovation to flourish.

Addressing students and young participants, the Minister encouraged them to approach ideas and institutions with curiosity, respect and evidence-based reasoning. He called upon the youth to use their creativity and skills to contribute to India’s development journey and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The conclave brought together discussions on the intersection of law, public policy and the rapidly evolving creative economy, with a focus on creating an enabling environment for India’s creative industries and the next generation of professionals.