IICT Now Operational in Mumbai: Immersive Studios, 136 Students & 18 AVGC-XR Courses Shaping India's Creative Future

Eddie Avil
11 hours ago
3 min read

The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) has thrown open its doors in Mumbai, and the numbers already tell a compelling story: 136 students. 18 specialised courses. 11 startups. 15 trained educators. And a mandate to transform India into a global powerhouse of animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality.

This isn't just another institute. IICT is India's National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR — and it's just getting started.

A World-Class Campus in the Heart of Mumbai

While IICT's permanent home at Film City, Goregaon is under construction, the institute is fully operational from the prestigious NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) campus in Mumbai — and "temporary" is the last word you'd use to describe it.

The campus features:

🎬 Immersive Studios for extended reality (XR) experiences
🖥️ Modern, tech-equipped classrooms built for next-gen learning
🎙️ Dedicated sound design and editing suites

These aren't just training rooms — they are environments engineered to mirror the real demands of the global creative industry.

136 Students. 18 Courses. One Clear Mission.

Since commencing programs, IICT has enrolled 136 students from across India — representing a rich cross-section of talent from every region of the country — into 18 specialised AVGC-XR courses.

From animation pipelines and VFX production to game development, immersive storytelling, and extended reality design, each course sits at the dynamic crossroads of art and technology.

The goal? To produce not just skilled professionals, but confident creators and industry innovators ready to compete on the world stage.

Training the Trainers: Scaling Expertise Nationally

IICT isn't just training students — it's building an ecosystem of educators. Through its Train-the-Trainer programme, 15 professionals have already been upskilled to carry AVGC-XR expertise back to their regions, multiplying the institute's national impact far beyond Mumbai.

This is how you build a movement, not just a course catalog.

Global Partnerships: World-Class Resources for Indian Talent

In its pursuit of global standards, IICT has forged strategic partnerships with leading international technology companies — giving students direct access to cutting-edge tools, industry insights, and career pathways that were previously out of reach for most Indian learners.

These collaborations ensure that an IICT student isn't just learning to industry standard — they're learning alongside the companies setting those standards.

11 Startups Incubated: Where Education Meets Entrepreneurship

One of IICT's most exciting dimensions is its startup incubation programme, which is already supporting 11 early-stage companies working across animation, gaming, immersive media, and allied domains.

These ventures receive mentorship, resources, and institutional backing — bridging the gap between classroom creativity and real-world entrepreneurship.

India's next great animation studio or XR platform could be born right here.

A Collaborative Framework at the Highest Level

IICT operates through a powerful institutional coalition:

Partner	Role
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting	Central Government backing
Government of Maharashtra	State-level support
FICCI	Industry linkages
CII	Sector collaboration

Advisory councils drawn from academia, industry, research, and vocational skills guide its curriculum, ensuring IICT stays ahead of — not behind — industry trends.

Officially Confirmed in Parliament

These developments were formally acknowledged by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on March 11, 2026 — underscoring the national significance of IICT's progress.

Why This Matters for India's Creative Economy

India's AVGC-XR sector has long been talked about as a sunrise industry. With IICT now operational, the conversation shifts from potential to progress.

The institute represents a generational investment in India's creative capital — one that could define the country's position in the global entertainment, gaming, and immersive media economy for decades to come.