India’s M&E Sector To Cross $100B By 2030

India’s media and entertainment sector is on track to surpass $100 billion by 2030, driven by rapid digital innovation, rising youth consumption and a surge in creative entrepreneurship, the government said on Saturday.

Recognised as a high-potential segment within the services economy, the sector is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of about 7%, reaching ₹3,067 billion by 2027. 

The national outlook anticipates the ecosystem transitioning from a content-consuming market to a global creator and exporter of intellectual property.

With its gross value-added contribution steadily rising over the past decade, the sector continues to play a key role in employment generation and value creation.

India also offers a 40–60% cost advantage in animation and VFX services, supported by a large skilled workforce.

“This comparative edge has attracted a steady inflow of international projects and positioned India as a preferred destination for global post-production work,” the government said in its statement.

Indian content is gaining global traction, with nearly 25% of OTT viewership for Indian programming now coming from overseas audiences.

The government highlighted that the formal recognition of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector has been instrumental in driving creative expansion.

This segment represents the convergence of technology, storytelling and innovation, marking the next phase of the country's entertainment industry growth.

“India’s AVGC-XR sector is entering a phase of strategic growth marked by innovation, skill development, and policy convergence. The focus ahead lies in transforming the creative economy into a global powerhouse, driven by indigenous talent, technological advancement, and creative entrepreneurship,” the statement said.