I&B, States Chart Unified Path for Film, Media, and Creative Economy at National Conference

A central focus of the conference was the Press Sewa Portal—a single-window digital platform developed under the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023.

In a pivotal move to drive India’s media reforms, cinematic growth, and creative economy, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) convened a high-level conference with Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Secretaries from all States and Union Territories on August 5, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was led by Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan and I&B Secretary Shri Sanjay Jaju, gathering senior policymakers, digital creators, and film industry stakeholders to advance a coordinated Centre-State approach in public communication, media governance, and infrastructure development.

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Transforming India’s Media Landscape: Unified Digital Platforms

Press Sewa Portal: Modernizing Print Media Governance

A central focus of the conference was the Press Sewa Portal—a single-window digital platform developed under the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023. The portal is designed to:

• Digitally streamline the registration and compliance of periodicals

• Integrate workflows for State, UT, and central authorities

• Facilitate transparent and efficient publication processes across India

I&B Secretary Shri Sanjay Jaju stressed the importance of onboarding all States and UTs to maximize the benefits of this digital transformation, and flagged the need to empower district-level I&PR teams to enhance grassroots communication and content creation.

India Cine Hub: A Single Window for Film Facilitation

Another highlight was the revamped India Cine Hub Portal, relaunched in June 2024. Now fully digital and GIS-enabled, the portal serves as a one-stop solution for the film industry, offering:

• Centralized film permission and incentive application processes

• Real-time GIS-based mapping of filming locations nationwide

• Common Application Forms for seamless coordination among central, state, and local agencies

• Resource mapping and crowdsourced data from industry professionals

As of August 2025, seven States and two UTs are fully integrated, with 21 States and six UTs onboarded through unified digital forms, demonstrating India’s progress towards a truly national film facilitation system.

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Expanding the Creative and Film Economy Beyond Metros

Boosting Cinema Infrastructure in Underserved Regions

Despite India’s status as the world’s largest film producer, many regions still face limited cinema infrastructure. The Ministry announced plans to:

• Identify low screen-density zones using GIS and data analytics

• Promote low-cost, modular, and mobile cinema halls for Tier-3, Tier-4 towns, and rural districts

• Encourage public-private partnerships with tax and land incentives

• Repurpose public spaces and simplify licensing with single-window systems

These steps aim to democratize cinema access and stimulate local creative economies, especially in aspirational and remote districts.

Fostering Regional Talent and Content

States and UTs were encouraged to use national and international film platforms—like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and WAVES Bazaar—to showcase regional talent, filming locations, and unique incentives. The 55th IFFI saw participation from 114 countries and over 2,000 industry delegates, underscoring the scope for Indian states to build global partnerships and facilitate international exposure for their creative communities.

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Empowering the Next Generation of Creators

Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT)

Dr. L. Murugan spotlighted the government’s efforts to skill the youth for the creative economy through the recently launched Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT). IICT aims to:

• Train young talent in animation, gaming, music, and allied creative fields

• Build a workforce ready for India’s growing digital and creator economy

• Support entrepreneurship and innovation in content production

Grassroots Cinema and Women Empowerment

The conference highlighted successful grassroots initiatives—such as low-cost theaters that empower women and local communities—demonstrating how cinema can serve as a tool for social development, inclusion, and cultural vibrancy.

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Developing Live Entertainment and Content Ecosystem

Recognizing the vast potential of India’s live entertainment economy, the conference called for:

• Leveraging existing sports and cultural infrastructure for events

• Appointing nodal officers in each State and UT to streamline permissions for live events

• Integrating event workflows with the India Cine Hub Portal

• Establishing supportive policy frameworks and fiscal incentives to attract private investment in the live entertainment sector

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Fostering Collaborative Governance and Economic Growth

Shri Sanjay Jaju underlined the need for strong Centre-State partnerships in media development, digital content regulation, and regional outreach. He called on states to support the rise of digital creators and vernacular media, expanding the media ecosystem beyond urban centers.

The conference also introduced upcoming initiatives like the WAVES Summit and a dedicated Radio Conclave at IFFI, reinforcing the government’s vision for a diverse and robust media environment.

 

The conference at Vigyan Bhawan marked a defining moment in India’s journey toward a digitally empowered, culturally vibrant, and economically thriving media and creative sector. With new digital platforms, policy reforms, and collaborative governance, the Ministry of I&B and States are charting a unified path to make India a global leader in film, media, and creative industries—expanding opportunities from metros to the remotest districts.