India Boosts I&B Ministry Funds to ₹4,551 Cr, Prioritizing Prasar Bharati & AVGC Sector

MEDIA-AND-ENTERTAINMENT
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AuthorIshaan Verma|Published at:
India Boosts I&B Ministry Funds to ₹4,551 Cr, Prioritizing Prasar Bharati & AVGC Sector
Overview

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry secured ₹4,551.94 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27, a decrease from the previous fiscal's revised estimates. Key allocations target Prasar Bharati, public service broadcasting, and significant investment in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector. Funds will also support community radio and government media units.

Increased Funding for Public Broadcasting

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has been allocated ₹4,551.94 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27. While this figure represents a reduction from the ₹6,103.02 crore revised estimate for 2025-26, a substantial portion is earmarked for Prasar Bharati, India's public broadcaster. The budget dedicates ₹2,291.88 crore for Prasar Bharati, intended to cover salaries, pensions, and operational expenses.

Boosting AVGC and Media Infrastructure

Significant investment is directed towards emerging sectors and media infrastructure. The Broadcasting Infrastructure Network Development receives ₹509.24 crore, a slight decrease from ₹550 crore in the prior year, aiming to digitalize and expand the AIR Network and DTH platform. Furthermore, ₹250 crore is allocated for talent development in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector. This initiative includes establishing AVGC content creator labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges, positioning India as a content creation leader.

Support for Film and Communication

The budget also supports India's vibrant film industry and crucial communication outreach. ₹344.55 crore is designated for the development and dissemination of filmic content, promoting Indian cinema through festivals and production support. Awareness campaigns and citizen engagement initiatives receive ₹250 crore under development communication. The community radio movement, vital for underserved areas, is allocated ₹8 crore, maintaining last year's level.

Institutional Allocations

Key educational and regulatory bodies within the ministry also see allocations. The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, receives ₹89.97 crore, while the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, gets ₹80 crore. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) is allocated ₹83 crore. The Press Council of India and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) receive ₹11.22 crore and ₹35 crore, respectively. An additional ₹111.22 crore is earmarked for social services in the Northeastern areas.

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