The Indian government has stepped up efforts to position India as a global hub for live events, with a high-level review of the sector’s roadmap focusing on faster approvals, regulatory streamlining, infrastructure creation and skilling, while urging States to align with a model framework by end-May 2026.

At the fourth meeting of the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC), chaired by MIB Secretary Chanchal Kumar yesterday in New Delhi, the government underscored that the live events sector — now among the fastest-growing segments of media and entertainment —will be driven through coordinated policy action, ease of doing business measures and stronger Centre-State collaboration.

Speaking at the event, Kumar, who recently took over as Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary from Sanjay Jaju, said, “On behalf of the Government, both Centre and State, I assure that all necessary facilitation will be extended to make the processes for organising live events robust and transparent.”

According to an official statement, he further added, “There is complete alignment in the intent of all members of LEDC, the focus should now be on effective implementation.”

A key reform highlighted during the government-stakeholders meeting was the rollout of a single-window clearance system for live event permissions on the India Cine Hub portal, aimed at ensuring “timely, transparent, and efficient approvals.” States and Union Territories have been asked to adopt a Model Executive Order for licensing and permissions by May 31, 2026 to create a standardised regulatory regime.

Kumar stressed that the LEDC’s role is to deliver a coordinated growth roadmap, noting that the sector has strong multiplier effects across tourism and allied industries and is a significant source of employment. He said the government is committed to facilitating a “robust and transparent” ecosystem, adding that alignment across stakeholders is already in place and the focus must now shift to execution.

The meeting also reviewed proposals on infrastructure creation, including a draft concept on greenfield venue development, as well as skilling initiatives. Plans are underway to introduce specialised certificate courses in live events through collaborations involving the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and industry bodies.

The LEDC, set up in July 2025, is central to the government’s ambition of making the concert economy a key driver of growth, with targets to generate 15-20 million jobs and position India as a global live events hub by 2030. The organised live events sector, estimated at Rs.145 billion in 2025, is projected to grow to Rs.196 billion by 2028.

The Ministry reiterated that it will continue working closely with states, industry and other stakeholders to build a supportive ecosystem, signalling a policy push that combines regulatory simplification, infrastructure expansion and skill development to unlock the sector’s growth potential.