Bengaluru: The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, has formalised a landmark nationwide collaboration at GAFX 2026 by signing a multi-association Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) ecosystem.
Hosted by Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI), GAFX 2026 served as the platform for the strategic initiative. ABAI initiated the movement by signing the MoU with IICT in the presence of Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, IT and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, and M. C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka. The ministers encouraged national and state-level AVGC-XR associations to unite efforts in strengthening India’s creative technology landscape.
The agreement brings together associations across 10 states, including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, outlining a collaborative framework focused on education and skilling, incubation and start-up support, research and innovation, and enhanced institutional visibility.
Key objectives of the partnership include developing industry-aligned curricula and certification programmes, mentoring emerging start-ups, advancing immersive and creative technology research, and co-hosting events and industry showcases to elevate India’s global standing in AVGC-XR.
Speaking at the event, CEO Dr. Vishwas Deoskar emphasised the importance of unified action across states and industry bodies. “India’s AVGC-XR sector has immense potential to become a global powerhouse. Through structured collaboration in education, research, and incubation, we are building a sustainable pipeline of talent and innovation,” he said.
The MoU signing was attended by Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO, IICT; Dr. Ashish Kulkarni, Founding Director, IICT; Biren Ghose, President, ABAI Karnataka; Siva Kumar Kasetty, Technical Director, ASIFA India; Ankur Bhasin, Secretary, MEAI India; Anand Jha representing MIDCCA Maharashtra; Mike Reddy, TVAGA Telangana; Saarth Bhooshan, SAIK Kerala; Rudra Bala Balaji, President, APVAGA Andhra Pradesh; S. Bejoy Arputharaj, President, VEGAS Tamil Nadu; Arpit Dubey, Co-Chairman, MP-AVGC-XR Madhya Pradesh; Riya Arora, Director, PAM EX (Punjab); and Shweta Verma, Head of Marketing, IICT, signalling broad-based industry commitment to collaborative growth.
The multi-state partnership marks a significant step toward aligning academia with industry requirements to build a future-ready workforce, strengthen start-up ecosystems and drive innovation. Industry leaders said the collaboration will help position India as a global creator of original intellectual property and immersive digital experiences in the fast-growing AVGC-XR domain.
