Orange is the new gold: How India’s influencer economy turned visibility into value
Times of India
by PRIYANSHI RASTOGIFebruary 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
India’s influencer economy is rapidly evolving, with creators like Darshit Singh and Santosh exemplifying how digital influence has become a powerful economic force. Once seen as merely viral content, the creator economy in India is now projected to grow significantly, aligning with government initiatives that recognize creativity as a key driver of growth. This shift marks India’s entry into the “Orange Economy,” where creative industries are no longer sidelined but are integral to national economic planning.
The Orange Economy encompasses sectors like media, film, gaming, and digital content, transforming ideas into valuable cultural goods. In India’s Union Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated substantial funds to support this sector, including Rs 400 crore for the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and the establishment of 15,000 AVGC labs in schools. These moves aim to build a skilled workforce for animation, visual effects, gaming, and extended reality (XR), with projections indicating that the AVGC sector alone could require up to 2 million professionals by 2030.
This economic shift is not just about policy; it reflects a cultural transformation. Influencers like Darshit, who critique rather than hype food, have gained millions of views and opened doors to opportunities, proving that authenticity resonates globally. Santosh’s journey, balancing travel with a corporate career, highlights how creator economy professionals are redefining work-life integration. Their stories demonstrate the growing recognition of creative labor in India’s economic blueprint.
The global relevance of India’s Orange Economy lies in its potential to become a global content hub and an employment engine. With the creator economy projected to grow at an 18% CAGR, reaching Rs 34 billion by 2026, India is poised to leverage its demographic dividend in digital platforms and intellectual property. This shift not only diversifies the economy but also positions India as a cultural and economic powerhouse on the global stage.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/13/2026