The Orange Economy
Context:
The economic survey and the budget underscored the importance of India’s “orange economy”, explicitly acknowledging its potential as an engine of growth.
With this view, budget 2026 proposed an outlay of ₹250 crore for talent development in the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics(AVGC), a key sector of the orange economy.
This sector is becoming a vital engine for job creation in tourism, transport, and hospitality
Definition:
The Orange Economy, also known as the Creative Economy, refers to economic activities that rely on intellectual property, creativity, and cultural heritage.
Value addition comes from the overall consumption experience rather than the actual good or service purchased.
Within media and entertainment, the fast-growing gaming and live entertainment segments have huge spillovers for tourism, transport and hospitality sectors.
These are likely to be job creators of the future.
Young consumers (Gen Z and Millennials) are moving away from traditional purchases based on price and durability.
Instead, they want their consumption to reflect their artistic expression and worldview.
Gen Zs form the backbone of the orange economy as mobile and vernacular-oriented young consumers drive gaming and creator ecosystems, boosting demand for content.
Experiential tourism blends media, games and culture into immersive travel experiences. With heritage assets and budget initiatives, India can convert IP into tourism growth.
India's Potential:
Demographic Dividend:
India has the largest population of Gen Z and Millennials in the world, making it a prime market for the creative economy.
Digital Growth:
New media and live entertainment are growing faster than traditional media in India.
Local Gaming:
Locally developed mobile games (Ludo King) are seeing massive adoption, indicating a strong domestic market for digital creativity.
Significance:
This sector is crucial for generating employment in non-traditional sectors.
The Union Budget’s focus on wildlife trails, Buddhist circuits, and upskilling tourist guides is a direct policy push to harness this potential.