In July 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, jointly inaugurated the 1st campus of the ‘Indian Institute of Creative Technology’ (IICT) at National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) Complex in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- They also inaugurated the Bharat Pavilion at Gulshan Mahal in National Museum in National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), NFDC Complex.
- Other key initiatives launched at the event were: the release of outcome reports of the inaugural edition of World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) and the launch of the IICT logo and 17 courses.
Key Dignitaries:
i.Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, MIB; Ashish Shelar, Minister for Cultural Affairs and Information Technology (IT) of the Government of Maharashtra, were present at the event.
ii.The event was also attended by Shekhar Kapur, a renowned filmmaker, and Prasoon Joshi, noted lyricist and Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Key Points:
i.During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Prasar Bharati and the Government of Maharashtra through Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Limited (MFSCDCL).
- As per the MoU, both parties collaborate to develop an Integrated Film and Television Media Hub that will promote innovation, skill development, and international competitiveness in the media sector.
ii.While addressing the event, Maharashtra’s CM Fadnavis informed that WAVES Index, which was announced during the WAVES 2025 Summit held at Jio World Centre in Mumbai in May 2025, and initially consisted of 42 companies with a combined valuation of nearly Rs 93,000 crore, has breached the mark of Rs 1 lakh crore in a short duration.
iii.While addressing the event, Union Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that the Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 400 crore for the development of IICT.
- He further mentioned that the institute has collaborated with global tech giants like Google, Meta, and Adobe for hands-on training and industry exposure.
Key Initiatives Launched:
1.IICT:
i.IICT, India’s 1st institution for creative technology, has world-class infrastructure with fully equipped classrooms, advanced media labs, post-production suites, and specialized facilities for animation, Visual Effects (VFX), and Extended Reality (XR) training.
ii.The inaugural academic session of IICT is expected to train around 300 students and trainers. It offers 18 industry-driven courses, i.e., 6 specialized courses in Gaming, 4 courses in Post Production, and 8 courses in Animation, Comics, and XR.
- All these courses have been designed in collaboration with top industry players to ensure students are equipped with the skills required to thrive in the ever-changing creative technology landscape.
iii.Also, IICT has signed an MoU with the University of York, United Kingdom (UK), to foster collaborative research, faculty exchange and global certification pathways.
iv.Composition of Governing Body of IICT: It comprises Sanjay Jaju, Vikas Kharge, Swati Mhase, Chandraajit Banerjee, Ashish Kulkarni, Manvendra Shukul, and Rajan Navani.
- While Governing Council comprises Munjal Shroff, Chaitnaya Chichlikar, Biren Ghosel, Bhupendra Kainthola, and Gaurav Banerjee.
2.Bharat Pavilion:
i.The Bharat Pavilion emerged as a centerpiece of the WAVES 2025 Summit, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
- The pavilion is a tribute to India’s cultural soul and its digital transformation from Kala to Code.
ii.The idea of Bharat Pavilion, which represents India’s aspiration to be a creative superpower, was conceptualized and spearheaded by the MIB.
iii.It is divided into 3 different thematic zones: Shruti (Oral traditions), Kriti (Written Heritage), and Drishti (Visual Storytelling).
- These thematic zones reflect the MIB’s commitment to nurturing the Orange Economy, powered by Content, Creativity, and Culture.
3.WAVES 2025 Outcome Reports:
i.The multiple reports and initiatives integral to the WAVES ecosystem were unveiled during the event.
ii.These reports focus on innovation, adoption, and global engagement:
- WAVES Outcome Report
- Report on Conference Track
- Global Media Dialogue: Coffee Table Book
- WAVEX Report
- Creatosphere Report
- Waves Bazaar Report
iii.These publications highlight the unique dynamism and diversity of India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, which comprises film, television, animation, gaming, and immersive media, among others.
About Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB):
Union Minister – Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha Member- Odisha)
Union Minister of State (MoS) – Dr. Loganathan Murugan (Rajya Sabha Member- Madhya Pradesh, MP)
