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ArdorComm Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 held in Guwahati, Assam on 6th February 2026

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The ArdorComm – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026, held on 6th February 2026 in Guwahati, Assam, emerged as a powerful confluence of ideas, inspiration and action, spotlighting the North East as a fast-evolving education and skills hub of India. Centred on the theme “Future-Ready Northeast: Building Skills, Mindsets for a Smarter Tomorrow”, the summit brought together senior education leaders, policymakers, academicians, EdTech innovators and industry experts from across the region and beyond. Organised by ArdorComm Media Group, the flagship summit reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering dialogue, collaboration and recognition across India’s education ecosystem—this time with a sharp focus on the immense potential and progress of the North Eastern states. Showcasing the Northeast’s Education Transformation The summit highlighted how Northeast India is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation in education, driven by improved literacy rates, enhanced digital infrastructure, policy-led reforms and growing private participation. Discussions underscored the region’s journey from access-led education to outcome-oriented, future-ready learning models. Speakers extensively explored the opportunities unlocked by NEP 2020, particularly its emphasis on regional languages, multidisciplinary learning, skill integration and alignment with local economic and employment needs. The role of education in nurturing entrepreneurship, employability and innovation within the region was a recurring theme across sessions. With growing investments in universities, private unaided schools, vocational training centres and EdTech-enabled classrooms, the Northeast is increasingly positioning itself as a model region for inclusive and tech-driven education. Support from Esteemed Government Leaders The ArdorComm – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2026 – Guwahati received strong encouragement and goodwill from distinguished leaders of the Government of Assam, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing education, skills and youth development in the region. Smti. Nandita Garlosa, Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, extended her warm wishes to the summit, appreciating initiatives that focus on empowering youth through education, skill development and holistic growth. Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Welfare of Plain Tribe & Backward Classes, Government of Assam, conveyed his best wishes for the event and acknowledged the role of such platforms in strengthening education systems, promoting inclusivity and aligning learning with the aspirations of the future workforce. Shri Prasanta Phukan, Hon’ble Minister for Power, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Medical Education & Research, Government of Assam, also shared his warm regards for the summit, recognising the significance of industry–academia collaboration in building a skilled, employable and future-ready talent pool for the state and the region. Their encouragement and goodwill added immense value to the summit and reaffirmed the collective commitment towards nurturing a future-ready Northeast through education, skills and innovation. Industry Leaders and Keynote Speakers The summit opened with an impactful Inaugural Session on “Future-Ready Northeast: Building Skills & Mindsets for a Better Tomorrow”, setting the tone for a day of forward-looking discussions. Kumar Chandan Anand, Founder, CEO & Group Editor, ArdorComm Media Group, delivered the Welcome Address, highlighting ArdorComm’s commitment to fostering collaborative platforms that drive inclusive, future-ready education. The Guest of Honour, Shri R. C. Jain, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), Government of Assam, shared insights on strengthening school education and aligning learning outcomes with the vision of NEP 2020. The session was further enriched by Maj. Gen. B. D. Wadhwa, AVSM, Pro Chancellor (Emeritus), IILM University, Greater Noida, who emphasised leadership and values-based education, and Aaditya Razdan, Senior Enterprise Director, Coursera, who spoke on the growing role of digital platforms and industry-aligned learning in building future-ready skills for the Northeast. Panel 1, titled “NEP and Tech Advantage for KG to PG: Building a Future-Ready Generation”, brought together education leaders from school and higher education to discuss how NEP 2020 and technology can collectively transform learning across the entire academic continuum. Moderated by Sandip Sen, Principal, SERS Public School, Guwahati, the panel featured Cdr. (Dr.) Gurdaman Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SRM University, Gangtok; Prof. (Dr.) Ginlianlal Buhril, Vice Chancellor, ICFAI University, Mizoram; Dr. Nitai Pradhan, Principal, Good Shepherd’s Home English Medium High School, Nagaon; and Mohan Raghavan, Director, Mind Matters Educational Group, Guwahati. The discussion highlighted curriculum flexibility, experiential learning, digital integration and teacher preparedness as critical enablers for nurturing future-ready skills and mindsets from early childhood education to higher education. Panel 2, titled “Digital Pathways to Lifelong Learning: Balancing Innovation, Inclusion & Ethics”, focused on how digital transformation can enable continuous learning while remaining equitable and responsible. Moderated by Gariasi Dutta, Chairperson, The down town Group Schools, Guwahati, the panel featured Diwan Siraj Munir, Executive Director & CEO, Sublime Academy, Barpeta; Dr. Durlav Sarkar, Founder & Director, Gurukul Group of Educational Wing, Mangaldai; Mallika Das Singh, Founder & Director, Lakshya International School, Tezpur; and Anuraag Saraf, Founder & Director, Mind Matters Educational Group, Guwahati. The discussion emphasised ethical use of technology, inclusive digital access, blended learning models and the importance of fostering critical thinking and digital citizenship across all stages of education. Panel 3, titled “Bridging Education and Employability: Skills for the 21st Century Workforce”, brought the spotlight on aligning academic frameworks with evolving industry demands and employability outcomes. Moderated by Prof. Himanshu Panchal, Vice Chancellor, EdTech Skills University, Tinsukia, the panel featured Kuldip Sarma, Co-Founder & Pro-Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University, Singtam; Manik Kathuria, Regional Account Director, Coursera; Maj. Gen. B. D. Wadhwa, AVSM, Pro Chancellor (Emeritus), IILM University, Greater Noida; Prof. (Dr.) K. V. S. Sarma, Vice Chancellor, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Guwahati; Dr. Bibhas Deb, Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Bir Bikram University, Agartala; Prof. (Dr.) Ajeya Jha, Vice Chancellor, Arunachal University of Studies, Namsai; and Dr. Debmalya Bhattacharya, Pro Vice Chancellor, MIT University of Meghalaya. The discussion underscored the importance of industry-aligned curricula, experiential learning, micro-credentials, leadership development and strong academia–industry partnerships in preparing a future-ready workforce for the Northeast and beyond. Panel 4, titled “Reimagining Higher Education in the Digital Era: Transformation, Trends & Pathways”, explored how universities are navigating digital disruption while rethinking academic delivery, governance and student engagement. Moderated by Prof. (Dr.) Prakash Divakaran, Vice Chancellor, Himalayan University, Itanagar, the panel featured Subrato Ganguly, Senior Manager

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Budget 2026 Pivots to Employability-Centric Growth Strategy

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The Union Budget 2026 marks a clear shift in India’s employment approach—moving away from headline job-creation numbers to building long-term, sustainable employment conditions. The new strategy places skilling, services-led growth and sector-specific ecosystems at the centre of workforce expansion. Instead of announcing how many jobs will be generated, the government has focused on aligning education, skills and industry demand. A key proposal is the formation of a high-powered standing committee on education, employment and enterprise. This body will map skill gaps, identify high-employment service sub-sectors and evaluate how artificial intelligence is reshaping future jobs—acknowledging that traditional degrees alone no longer guarantee employability. Services and Healthcare Take Centre Stage The services sector has been positioned as the primary engine of employment, with an ambitious goal of capturing a 10% share of global services exports by 2047. Officials highlighted that services create more jobs per unit of output than manufacturing, making them critical for absorbing India’s growing workforce. Healthcare forms a major pillar of this push. The Budget proposes adding 1 lakh allied health professionals across 10 disciplines over the next five years, along with training 1.5 lakh caregivers in the coming year under geriatric and allied care programmes aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework. Medical value tourism hubs, Ayush institutions and expanded health infrastructure are expected to generate further downstream employment, including overseas opportunities enabled by improved labour mobility clauses in free trade agreements. Creative Economy, Tourism and Sports as Job Multipliers For the first time, the Budget formally recognises the “Orange Economy”—covering animation, visual effects, gaming and comics—as a major employment frontier. With the sector projected to need around two million professionals by 2030, the government plans to establish content creator labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges, signalling a decisive tilt towards creative and export-oriented jobs. Tourism has been reimagined as a job multiplier, with proposals for a national institute of hospitality, training 10,000 tourist guides across 20 iconic destinations, and expanding eco-tourism, trekking, birding and heritage circuits. The aim is to generate non-migrant employment in smaller towns and rural regions. Sports is also being repositioned as a structured employment ecosystem under an expanded Khelo India Mission, encompassing not just athletes but also coaches, sports scientists, support staff and infrastructure-related roles. Education: From Schemes to Structures With an education outlay of nearly ₹1.4 lakh crore, the Budget signals a move from fragmented schemes to durable institutional structures, with a strong focus on women’s access and campus capacity. The education ministry allocation has risen 8.3% to ₹1,39,290 crore for 2026–27. School education and literacy receive ₹83,561 crore (up 6.4%), while higher education sees an 11.3% increase to ₹55,724 crore to support infrastructure expansion and research. A flagship higher-education initiative is the creation of five university townships near major industrial and logistics corridors, designed to cluster universities, colleges and research institutions close to emerging economic hubs. To boost women’s participation in STEM, the government has promised capital support for setting up at least one girls’ hostel in every district with higher-education STEM institutions. The Budget also proposes a new National Institute of Design (NID) in eastern India and expands digital learning infrastructure. Support has been announced for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, to establish AVGC content creator labs, while the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak initiative will roll out digitised textbooks in Indian languages for primary and secondary students. On institutional funding, allocations for IITs increase to ₹12,123 crore and IIMs to ₹292 crore, while some other premier institutions, including IISc and IIITs, face relatively tighter budgets. Budget 2026 underscores a strategic reorientation—from counting jobs to creating the ecosystems that make employment sustainable, future-ready and globally competitive. Source: TOI

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Economic Survey 2025–26 flags learning gaps, higher education quality as key education challenges

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The Economic Survey 2025–26, presented in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, has underlined learning outcomes and the quality of higher education as the next major hurdles for India’s education system. While India has largely achieved universal enrolment at the school level, the Survey cautions that enrolment gains have not translated evenly into learning outcomes. The challenge becomes sharper beyond the elementary stage, with the net enrolment ratio (NER) at the secondary level standing at just 52.2%. This, the Survey notes, underscores the urgent need to retain students beyond Class 8. A major concern highlighted is the uneven distribution of schools across regions. Around 54% of schools in the country offer only foundational and preparatory education, whereas just 17.1% provide secondary education in rural areas. In contrast, urban regions have a significantly higher share of secondary schools at 38.1%. This imbalance restricts rural students’ access to higher classes, leading to longer travel times, higher dropout rates and significant transition losses. The data shows a steady decline in enrolment as students move from foundational and preparatory stages to middle and secondary levels in rural India. Urban areas, however, witness an increase in enrolment from middle to secondary stages, pointing to persistent rural–urban disparities. Grade-wise trends further confirm a sharp drop in participation at the secondary level. The Survey acknowledges progress made through investments in infrastructure and teacher capacity, supported by schemes such as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and Poshan Shakti Nirman, which have improved access and equity. However, it stresses that the policy focus must now shift decisively from enrolment to learning outcomes. To improve retention and optimise resources, the Survey recommends expanding composite and integrated schools, upgrading schools up to Class 7, and strengthening open schooling systems. It also calls for better infrastructure, enhanced teacher training through District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), and greater involvement of parents and communities in school governance. Aligning curriculum and assessment reforms with the National Education Policy (NEP), along with the effective use of digital platforms such as PM e-Vidya, could help deliver equitable and high-quality education, even in remote areas, the Survey suggests. On higher education, the Survey notes the rapid growth in institutions and student enrolment over the past decade but raises concerns about quality, faculty shortages and uneven research capabilities. It advocates greater institutional autonomy, stronger academic leadership, and deeper integration of research and innovation to enhance global competitiveness. The Survey also emphasises the need for experience-based and skill-oriented learning, observing that conventional classroom models often fail to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Expanding vocational education, internships and industry partnerships is seen as critical to improving employability and aligning education with labour market needs. While digital education initiatives are recognised as powerful tools for expanding reach, especially in underserved regions, the Survey cautions that technology cannot replace strong pedagogy and well-trained teachers, and must be supported by sustained investments in human capacity. Source: Indian Express

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UP Board to Make Vocational Education Mandatory for Classes 9 and 11 from 2026

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The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has announced that vocational education will become a compulsory part of the curriculum for students of Classes 9 and 11 starting from the academic year 2026. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the link between school education and employability by introducing skill-based, job-oriented learning at an early stage. UP Board Secretary Bhagwati Singh said that subject committees have approved and submitted curricula for various vocational trades, including information technology and allied sectors, electronics, apparel, and beauty and wellness. These employment-focused courses were developed through multiple rounds of deliberations by subject experts, under the guidance of Additional Secretary Satyendra Kumar Singh and Skand Shukla. The approved curricula emphasize practical training, current technological requirements, and industry expectations to enhance students’ employability. By integrating hands-on and competency-based learning, the move aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy and aims to promote skill development, self-reliance, and vocational proficiency among students. Singh added that work is underway to develop curricula for additional vocational trades. The Central Institute of Vocational Education, Bhopal, supported the course design process, with contributions from experts including Sanjeev Kumar Arya, Virendra Nath Shukla, Dr Aditi Goswami, Dr Dilip Singh, and Dr Avinash Pandey. Source: Indian Express

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Punjab Government Launches ‘Mission Pragati’ to Provide Free Coaching for Competitive Exams

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced the launch of Mission Pragati, a new state initiative aimed at equipping young aspirants with free academic and physical training for various competitive examinations. The programme is designed especially to support meritorious students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds who are unable to afford expensive private coaching. Speaking to students at the district library, the Chief Minister said that free coaching has already begun for examinations conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB), as well as for recruitment in the police and armed forces. The first batch currently includes 40 enrolled students. Under Mission Pragati, candidates receive classroom instruction along with physical training conducted by experienced trainers from the Punjab Police, ensuring comprehensive preparation. Students are also granted free access to books and study resources by registering them as library members. Mann highlighted that the initiative utilises existing infrastructure, keeping costs minimal. He further explained that the programme follows a “youth helping youth” mentoring model, where guidance is provided by candidates who have themselves appeared in competitive exams. The initiative has garnered support from educationists, universities, police officials, athletes and students. Emphasising inclusivity, the Chief Minister said Mission Pragati is guided by the principle of “no one left behind” and aims to enhance youth participation in government services. Reaffirming the state’s broader education vision, Mann said Punjab’s reforms are focused on holistic youth development and transforming job seekers into future job creators. Source: PTI

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Jamia Millia Islamia Opens Applications for Short-Term AI and Digital Skill Courses

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Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has announced the launch of a fresh batch of short-term, skill-oriented certificate courses focused on artificial intelligence, cyber security, and digital technologies. Applications are now open for the offline programmes, which aim to strengthen employability and entrepreneurial capabilities among students, job seekers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The courses are being offered through the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at JMI, in partnership with the Tech Mahindra Foundation. Delivered under the Smart Academy for Digital Technologies and Entrepreneurship, the programmes are designed to equip learners with practical, industry-relevant digital skills and a foundation in entrepreneurship. According to the university, the Smart Academy follows a blended approach that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training. Participants will receive mentoring from subject experts and gain exposure to real-world industry practices, enabling them to pursue roles in the digital economy or explore self-employment and startup opportunities. The newly introduced short-term courses include Digital Entrepreneurship, UI/UX Design, Advanced Digital Marketing, and AI-Driven Data Analysis. Each programme runs for a duration of three months and is open to candidates who have completed Class 12 or an equivalent qualification. In terms of fees, the Digital Entrepreneurship course is priced at Rs 3,050, while the UI/UX Design programme costs Rs 12,600. The Advanced Digital Marketing and AI-Driven Data Analysis courses are each available at a fee of Rs 10,500. JMI stated that the initiative is aligned with its broader objective of promoting innovation, skill development, and self-reliance, while preparing learners for opportunities in digital media, design, data analytics, and technology-driven services within India’s expanding digital and startup ecosystem. Source: Indian Express

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Netflix joins hands with IICT and FICCI to nurture India’s next-gen creative tech talent

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Streaming leader Netflix has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) and FICCI to build and strengthen the pipeline of creative-technology professionals in India. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the 25th edition of FICCI Frames, marking a major step toward advancing India’s AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) ecosystem. Under this collaboration, Netflix will utilize its Fund for Creative Equity to provide scholarships to selected students identified jointly with IICT. The fund aims to empower underrepresented talent in the media and entertainment industry by offering equitable learning and career opportunities. As part of the initiative, Netflix will actively participate in three of IICT’s national councils — R&D, Academic, and Industry Development — to foster synergy between academia, industry experts, and policymakers in shaping the future of India’s creative technology sector. Mahima Kaul, Director of Global Affairs, Netflix India, said the partnership is designed to strengthen the country’s AVGC sector and empower young creators. “Through this collaboration, we aim to equip aspiring storytellers and innovators with world-class tools and opportunities to fuel creativity and drive India’s digital entertainment economy,” she said. Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, emphasized that the alliance bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world industry experience. “By offering mentorship, practical exposure, and access to global best practices, we are preparing the next generation of creative technologists to thrive in the evolving AVGC-XR landscape,” he noted. Munjal Shroff, Chairman of the FICCI AVGC-XR Forum, added that the initiative will position India as a global hub for creative technologies. “This partnership not only builds future-ready talent but also fuels innovation and lays the foundation for sustainable growth in the sector,” he said. Source: PTI

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Govt Launches Adi Karmayogi Student Chapters; IIT Delhi Named Nodal Hub

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The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has rolled out Adi Karmayogi Student Chapters across India’s leading higher education institutions, including IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs, and central universities, in a bid to empower tribal youth as leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. IIT Delhi’s Bhagwan Birsa Munda Cell will serve as the central coordinating hub for the initiative. According to IIT Delhi, the launch reflects a key milestone under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan—described as the world’s largest tribal leadership movement—unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (2024–25). At the launch event, Tribal Affairs Secretary Vibhu Nayar said the chapters would act as a “bridge between premier institutions and tribal communities,” nurturing young changemakers to shape India’s educational, entrepreneurial, and social development. IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee added that the initiative offers a platform for students to “mentor, innovate, and create meaningful impact in tribal regions.” In the first phase, the chapters will be established across a wide network of institutions. These include IITs such as Delhi, Kharagpur, Dharwad, and Hyderabad; IIMs at Sirmaur and Nagpur; AIIMS campuses in Nagpur, Gorakhpur, and Bhatinda; VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital; IISER Mohali; IIST Trivandrum; SVNIRTAR; and others. NITs in Delhi, Patna, Raipur, Puducherry, and Meghalaya, as well as IIITDM Kurnool, BIT Mesra, NERIST Arunachal Pradesh, DTU Delhi, and RGNUL Patiala, are also on board. Additionally, hotel management institutes such as IHM Kufri, IHM Tharamani, IHM Pusa, IHM Bhopal, and IHM Bhubaneswar are part of the launch phase. The Adi Karmayogi Student Chapters will engage in: Mentorship & Education: Linking students from top institutes with EMRS and Ashram schools to enhance learning. Entrepreneurship: Supporting tribal-led startups through a ₹50 crore venture capital fund. Innovation: Organizing hackathons and workshops to develop tech-based solutions for tribal communities. Village Development: Designing Vision 2030 plans, SWOT analyses, and sustainable models. Skill Development: Training in frontier areas such as semiconductors and emerging technologies, in collaboration with IISc Bangalore.  The programme will also facilitate internships with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and state departments, alongside recognition and awards for outstanding student leaders and mentors. With strong backing from directors and leaders of IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, and IIST Trivandrum, the initiative aims to build a cadre of empowered tribal youth contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Source: Indian Express

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India Will Need 2 Lakh Skilled Professionals to Manage EV Charging Stations by 2030

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Tata Power on Tuesday launched Mumbai’s first premium MegaCharger hub near the airport, adding to its growing network of over 1,000 charging points in the city. Built in partnership with Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, the hub is equipped with eight high-speed DC chargers and 16 bays, aimed at reducing wait times for private EV owners and fleet operators. But as India’s charging infrastructure expands rapidly, a looming skill shortage threatens to slow the pace of adoption. A joint whitepaper by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) estimates that the country will require between 1–2 lakh trained professionals by 2030 to operate and maintain charging stations. The report underlined the vital role of Charge Point Operators (CPOs) in India’s EV transition while pointing out key challenges—limited hands-on training, lack of standardised modules, and a shortage of qualified trainers who understand both technical and operational needs. India’s public charging points have already surged from just 25 in 2015 to nearly 30,000 by August 2025. However, to achieve the government’s 1:40 charger-to-EV ratio, the country must install nearly 4 lakh chargers annually through this decade. Experts argue that this scale-up will be impossible without simultaneously building human capital. Anshuman Divyanshu, CEO of Exicom’s EV Supply Equipment division, said the skill demand today goes beyond basic electrical expertise and now spans high-voltage systems, connectivity, and software. “Fast, reliable charging infrastructure is the cornerstone of India’s EV journey. But success will depend as much on skilled manpower as on the megawatts of hardware deployed,” he said. He stressed that Exicom has invested in structured training, noting that talent readiness is lagging behind infrastructure rollout. Similarly, Akshay Shekhar, CEO of Kazam, highlighted the uneven picture outside metros. While finding electricians through ITIs is not difficult, specialised EV training remains scarce. “Tasks like earthing are often skipped, SOPs aren’t followed consistently, and technicians in smaller cities lack exposure to proper standards and tools,” he said. Even so, Shekhar pointed to a strong willingness to learn. Kazam has already trained over 500 technicians in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, many of whom are now actively supporting the sector. “With the right certification and structured skilling, this workforce can truly become the backbone of India’s EV expansion,” he added. The TERI-MBRDI study also cautioned that most Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) still do not offer EV-specific courses, leaving CPOs dependent on in-house training. It flagged gaps in diagnostics, digital integration, and safety standards as possible barriers to sustaining infrastructure growth. By 2030, India’s EV ecosystem is projected to generate 1 crore direct jobs and 5 crore indirect jobs, but experts warn that under-skilled manpower could become a bigger bottleneck than under-investment in infrastructure. Kunal Khattar, founding partner of AdvantEdge, suggested that the staggered rollout of charging stations will give time to build manpower capacity. He added that technology will likely lower operational costs by enabling unmanned facilities, while petrol pumps could play a significant role in scaling up. “They already have manpower on site and can add charge points as demand rises, without additional staffing costs,” he said. Source: Economic Times

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Govt to Unveil Centralised Digital Music Licensing Registry by October 2025

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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) is gearing up to launch a centralised digital music licensing registry within the next two months, in collaboration with rights societies. The initiative, expected to go live by October 2025, is part of a broader strategy to expand and streamline India’s live entertainment industry. The announcement followed the first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on live events, held on 26 August at the National Media Centre and chaired by I&B secretary Sanjay Jaju. Representatives from multiple ministries—including culture, youth affairs and sports, skill development, finance and DPIIT—participated, along with the Sports Authority of India and state governments from Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Key industry players such as BookMyShow, Wizcraft, Saregama, District by Zomato and Touchwood Entertainment, along with associations like Ficci, CII, Eema and Ilea, also joined the deliberations. Rights organisations including IPRS, PPL, RMPL and IMI Trust were part of the discussions. Among the major takeaways were plans to integrate approvals for live events into the India Cine Hub portal to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, create a model policy for multi-use of public venues like stadiums, and include live-entertainment skills in the national skills framework. Proposals for financial incentives—such as GST relaxations, blended finance options, subsidies and MSME recognition—were also put on the table. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently highlighted live entertainment as a catalyst for employment, tourism and cultural impact. The sector, currently valued at ₹20,861 crore (2024), is expanding at nearly 15% annually, driven by increasing demand in both metro and emerging cities, as well as growing interest in music tourism. According to Jaju, the government’s ambition is to position India among the world’s top five live entertainment destinations by 2030, unlocking the potential for 15–20 million jobs. “The JWG will focus on leveraging the concert economy to boost infrastructure, create jobs, attract tourists and strengthen India’s soft power,” he noted. The JWG, constituted in July under the directive of Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will continue to meet periodically to monitor progress and submit policy suggestions. Its work builds on the recommendations outlined in the white paper India’s Live Events Economy: A Strategic Growth Imperative, presented earlier this year at the Waves 2025 summit. Source: PIB

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