Big news out of Maharashtra — the state government just rolled out a ₹3,268 crore policy to give a massive boost to the Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) industry. The goal? To pull in ₹50,000 crore worth of investments and create two lakh jobs over the next 25 years.
What’s in the Policy?
This is the first time Maharashtra has launched a full-fledged plan for AVGC-XR, and it comes with a lot of perks:
- Studios and companies can run 24/7, all year round
- Relaxed stamp duty and cheaper power tariffs
- AVGC-XR officially tagged as an “essential service”
- Studios allowed even in residential and green zones (with safety rules in place)
- Single-window clearance to fast-track approvals
Basically, the government wants to make it easier, cheaper, and faster for gaming, animation, and VFX companies to grow.
Where Will the Action Happen?
The plan isn’t just about Mumbai and Pune. Yes, those cities already host 30% of India’s animation studios, but the new push will also cover Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Satara, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Expect to see AVGC-XR parks and creative clusters pop up, loaded with:
- High-speed digital connectivity
- Motion capture and virtual production setups
- Post-production and sound studios
- Rendering farms for heavy graphics work
The state is also setting up a special infrastructure fund to ensure these parks have proper roads, power, water, and last-mile connectivity.
Numbers That Matter
Maharashtra wants the sector to grow from ₹25,000 crore today to ₹65,000 crore in the next five years — aiming for around 25% growth every year. For a state already famous for Bollywood, this new push could cement it as India’s creative-tech capital.
Focus on Skills Too
It’s not just about buildings and tax breaks. The policy also plans to bring AVGC-XR into school curriculums so the next generation gets early exposure to gaming and animation. A skill advisory committee with industry experts and educators will design new training programs.
On top of that, the government has started a satellite campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) at NFDC’s Peddar Road campus in Mumbai. It already offers 18 career-focused courses in animation, VFX, and gaming.
Why This Matters
For gamers, creators, and tech dreamers, this is a big signal — Maharashtra is betting big on digital entertainment and immersive tech. With fresh parks, studios, and skill programs, the industry could see an explosion of opportunities in the coming decade.
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