India’s live events sector grew 44 per cent in the past year and now supports more than one crore or 10 million livelihoods, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Chanchal Kumar said yesterday, setting an ambitious target of doubling the sector by 2030.

Addressing the fifth meeting of the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) yesterday, Kumar said around 34,000 events were held across the country and the sector could generate 15-20 million direct and ancillary jobs.

He described the LEDC as “one of the finest examples of cooperation between industry, States and the Centre”.

According to an official statement put out by the MIB yesterday, the meeting reviewed implementation of the Single Window Clearances Portal for live events on the India Cine Hub (ICH) platform, with States and Union Territories urged to designate nodal officers, integrate departmental and local licensing systems with the portal, route the complete licence lifecycle through it and onboard live-event venues.

Five States have so far adopted the Model Executive Order for streamlining licensing and permissions for live events in India, 2026, while the remaining States and UTs were urged to expedite its adoption.

The meeting also discussed next-generation reforms, including a single national music licence with notified tariffs, notified entertainment precincts under the Noise Pollution (Regulation) Rules, 2000, and relaxation of caps on foreign remittances for payments to international artists.

The LEDC — comprising 14 Central or federal Ministries and Departments, 10 States and UTs (federal administered regions) and 21 industry bodies — also reviewed measures for pre-approved venues.

The Archaeological Survey of India and Sports Authority of India have issued standard operating procedures for organising live events at their assets, while major venues are proposed to be pre-approved to avoid repeated venue-level permissions.

The MIB said the framework for brownfield and greenfield venue development was also reviewed to address the shortage of purpose-built venues.

Proposals include development of purpose-built venues by States, inclusion of live-event and performance venues above a specified capacity in the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure Sub-sectors, and support through the viability gap funding scheme.

The Live Event Skilling Committee reviewed progress on curricula, including the MoU between the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Media and Entertainment Skills Council and Event and Entertainment Management Association, as well as certificate and short-term courses in live events.

The meeting also discussed launching Inclusivity Guidelines for Safety of Women and Divyang-jan (specially abled people) at live events and concerts and a Green Concert Protocol at WAVES 2027, with industry support.

Kumar said the LEDC had advanced reforms including the Model Executive Order, the ICH Single Window Portal, streamlined clearances and skilling initiatives.

The number of States and UTs with designated nodal officers has risen from 16 to 29, the Ministry said.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working with States, industry and other stakeholders to build a supportive and growth-oriented ecosystem for India’s live events sector.