India’s media & entertainment industry set to cross $100 billion by 2030

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 15, 2025

India’s media and entertainment (M&E) sector is on course to surpass the $100 billion mark by 2030, the government announced on Saturday, underscoring the industry’s transformation into a global creative force powered by digital innovation, skilled talent, and a rapidly expanding consumer base.

Recognised as one of the fastest-growing segments within the services economy, the sector is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of around 7 per cent, reaching nearly Rs 3,067 billion by 2027. According to an official statement, this upward trajectory reflects India’s shift from being primarily a content-consuming nation to an influential creator and exporter of intellectual property.

The M&E industry has strengthened its economic footprint over the past decade, with a steadily rising gross value-added contribution and a significant role in generating employment. A key catalyst in this momentum is India’s global competitiveness in animation and VFX, where the country offers a striking 40–60 per cent cost advantage backed by a large pool of skilled professionals. This edge has made India a preferred hub for international post-production and digital content work.

The impact of Indian storytelling is increasingly felt across global markets, with nearly a quarter of OTT viewership for Indian content now coming from overseas audiences. This cultural resonance is further amplified by the growing recognition of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector as a strategic pillar of the nation’s creative economy.

The government noted that the AVGC-XR ecosystem represents the convergence of technology, innovation, and storytelling — an intersection that is shaping the country’s next phase of media and entertainment growth. As the sector enters a phase of strategic expansion, the focus is firmly on nurturing indigenous talent, accelerating technological advancements, and ensuring cohesive policy support.

“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,” the statement added.