NEW DELHI: India’s next generation of creators could help shape its journey towards a developed nation, Union minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L. Murugan has said, urging young people to explore opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, animation, visual effects and digital content.
Addressing students and learners at an institute in Noida on Thursday, Murugan called on young Indians to build their skills, embrace emerging technologies and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He emphasised the importance of quality education, lifelong learning, entrepreneurship and practical skills, saying the country’s future would depend on how effectively young people turn their creativity and knowledge into opportunities.
Murugan highlighted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a step towards making education more flexible, multidisciplinary and skill-oriented.
He stressed that learning could no longer end with a degree, as changing technologies and professional requirements make continuous upskilling increasingly important. He also called for accessible online education to help learners from different backgrounds acquire new qualifications and adapt to evolving career opportunities.
The minister said India’s education ecosystem needed stronger links between academic learning, research, technology, skills, entrepreneurship and employment.
Highlighting the government’s One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative, Murugan said access to academic research and global knowledge resources should not be limited by an institution’s resources or geographical location.
He stressed that expanding access to research could help more students and researchers participate in innovation.
“Talent is everywhere, and opportunity must also be everywhere,” he said, underlining the need to make quality knowledge more widely accessible.
On employment, Murugan pointed to infrastructure development, manufacturing, services, entrepreneurship and skill development as important drivers of job creation.
Citing RBI-KLEMS data, he said India added approximately 17.1 crore jobs between 2014-15 and 2023-24.
He urged students to develop practical capabilities, problem-solving skills and the confidence to meet the demands of a changing economy. Beyond preparing for available jobs, he encouraged young people to build the capacity to innovate, start businesses and create employment for others.
Murugan also highlighted the growing scope of the creative economy, encouraging students to explore careers at the intersection of technology and creativity.
Artificial intelligence, gaming, animation, visual effects, extended reality and digital content were among the areas he identified as offering opportunities for young Indians.
He called on the country’s youth to move beyond consuming technology and content and become creators for global audiences. Developing relevant skills and embracing continuous learning, he said, would be essential to participating in these emerging industries.
The emphasis on creative and technology-driven careers also reflects the growing intersection of India’s digital economy with its media, entertainment and content production sectors.
Murugan said education and nation-building must also be grounded in constitutional values and responsible citizenship.
Referring to the fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution, he highlighted the importance of developing scientific temper, encouraging a spirit of inquiry and striving for excellence.
Concluding his address, the minister urged young Indians to keep learning, keep creating and create opportunities for others.
He said the country’s progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047 would depend on a generation equipped not only with academic qualifications, but also with the skills, creativity and entrepreneurial drive to turn emerging opportunities into meaningful economic and social progress.
