MUMBAI: India’s digital entertainment game is levelling up. quite literally. At Storyboard18’s Digital Entertainment Summit (DES) 2025, Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, made it clear that gaming is no longer a side quest but a central pillar of India’s M&E economy.

“Gaming now forms a very important pillar and part of the overall digital media and entertainment landscape,” said Jaju, underscoring how convergence between tech, youth energy, and content is reshaping India’s global creative ambitions.

Citing Waves 2025 India’s flagship AV and entertainment summit, Jaju said the gaming pavilion, buzzing with emerging studios and new-age IPs, showed just how far the industry has come. From immersive platforms to evolving creator economies, Jaju spotlighted gaming, animation, audio streaming, and OTT as drivers of India’s new digital narrative.

To boost this transformation, the Ministry is launching the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in Mumbai, operational from September 2025. The institute aims to become a breeding ground for talent and incubation hub for creative startups. “It will be a great place for people to hone their skills and for smaller companies to get incubated,” he said.

Jaju also called for:

. Investment in low-cost cinema halls to bring films to India's hinterlands

.   Strategic focus on making India a global production hub, leveraging cost advantages and local talent

.  Nurturing digital innovation through AI, XR, and VR-led platforms

His three-part vision?

.  Creative Excellence – Turning India into a storytelling powerhouse

.  Digital Innovation – Leading in immersive tech

.  Inclusive Growth – Tapping talent across every corner of India

As he urged the industry to walk and think together, Jaju wrapped with a rousing call: “Our time has come, and the future is now.”

With a booming gaming culture, homegrown creators, and government backing, India's entertainment sector is set to not just entertain the world but lead it.

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