India’s media and entertainment (M&E) sector is projected to grow at 9.8% a year, significantly faster than the global average, and could touch $100 billion by 2030 if key policy reforms are implemented, according to a new CII white paper released yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Information & Broadcasting Ministry, said the industry must act quickly as technology reshapes content creation. “AI is transforming entertainment. If we do not embrace new technologies, our global share will shrink,” he said. Despite India’s strong storytelling tradition, the country accounts for just 2% of the global M&E market, he added.
Here are five key takeaways from the white paper on the media and entertainment sector:
Regulatory overhaul at the core of reform agenda
The report stated the media and entertainment sector is currently governed by many separate laws, creating confusion and slowing growth. CII has called for a single National Media & Entertainment Policy that simplifies rules and brings all platforms like TV, OTT, radio, gaming, under one broad framework.
CII also recommended the creation of an autonomous National Esports & Gaming Development Authority with statutory independence to oversee standards, certification, talent development and anti-piracy coordination.
Infrastructure gaps remain a major constraint
The CII report noted that India has only 8 cinema screens per million people, far fewer than the 40–60 screens seen in developed countries. This shortage is one of the biggest hurdles for the film business. To fix this, CII has suggested tax incentives for building new theatres in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, faster state-level permissions, and public–private partnerships to help expand cinema infrastructure.
The report also recommended speeding up the development of modern film cities, improving access to public Wi-Fi and fibre internet, and investing in advanced production technologies such as real-time VFX and virtual production. It further called for setting up satellite Centres of Excellence under the National AVGC-XR policy to strengthen training and innovation across the country.
Unified digital portal and stronger anti-piracy measures
CII has suggested creating a single-window digital portal where production houses can get all approvals, whether for shooting, distribution, co-productions or incentives, in one place. It also recommended automating GST refunds and location permissions so projects don’t get delayed.
To fight piracy, the report called for special cyber-piracy units that use AI tools to track illegal content quickly. It also proposed a blockchain-based national content registry to record proof of ownership. These steps, CII stated, are crucial to protect revenues and boost investor confidence.
Boosting IP creation and expanding exports
Since India’s AVGC and film exports are still small, the report recommends setting up a Rs 500-crore export fund to help creators with international distribution, film festival participation and research on entering new markets. It also proposes a 10–20% PLI scheme to encourage original Indian IP in animation, gaming and XR.
Jaju said the industry must combine India’s cultural strength with commercial scale. “Despite our legacy, India holds only 2% of the global M&E market. Our challenge—and opportunity—is to transform our creative potential into products and stories that earn global recognition.”