So, you’re the one who used to doodle in the back of your notebook during boring lectures? Or maybe you’re the go-to person in your group for making cool edits, storyboards, or quirky reels? Either way—you’re built differently, and that’s a good thing.

Because in today’s world, animation isn’t just about cartoons. It’s a booming career path where creativity meets tech, and guess what? India’s animation industry is on fire right now—with a projected market size of ₹180 billion by 2026! 

At Frame Makerzzz, we live and breathe animation every day and having worked with animators from across the country, we know where the real talent comes from—and where they learned the craft.

That’s why we’ve curated a list of the best animation colleges in India—not based on just rankings, but on what matters in the real world: placements, skills, software, and much more. 

Animation Career Checkpoint: What You Should Know Before You Enroll 

Before you pick a college and start chasing your Pixar dreams, here are a few key things every aspiring animator should know (trust us, we’ve seen it all at Frame Makerzzz):

Skills Matter More Than Software: 

• Knowing Maya, Blender, or After Effects is cool, but your creativity and storytelling are what stand out.
• Animation tools change fast—your ability to adapt matters more than just ticking software boxes.

Degrees Are Good, But Showreels Rule: 

• Employers (like us) want to see what you can do. Your showreel is your real resume.
• A killer 30-second animation clip will say more about your talent than a 3-year degree ever could.

Internships = Gold

• Look for colleges that offer live projects, internships, or collaborations with studios.
• You’ll build real-world experience, make connections, and learn what deadlines feel like in the industry (hint: they’re intense). 

Placement Is Real (But Don’t Rely 100% on It): 

• Yes, many of the top animation institutes in India offer placement support.
• But be proactive—network, build a LinkedIn profile, and keep sending that reel out. 

Money Talk: Return on Investment

• Some animation colleges in India with fees upwards of ₹5 lakhs might sound intimidating.
• But if the training, exposure, and alumni network justify it—you’re investing in a career, not just a course. 

Online Options Are Great Starters: 

• Can’t go full-time just yet? Try the best online animation colleges in India for foundation courses or certifications.
• Build your basics and portfolio before jumping into a full-time degree. 

Not Just Animation—Explore the Spectrum

• Love motion graphics? Try graphic design and animation institutes.
• Into VFX explosions and superhero stuff? Choose VFX and animation colleges.

Want a bit of everything? Check out animation and multimedia colleges in India.

Pro Tip from Frame Makerzzz: 

Wanna work with big brands, create ad films, or be part of the next viral video? We hire animators not just for their skills, but for how they think, solve problems, and bring ideas to life.

So wherever you study, make sure you’re constantly learning, creating, failing, and improving. That’s the real animation journey.

Our Selection Criteria: 

We’re in the business of quality animation. So, we’ve picked these institutes based on:

• Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Are they teaching what today’s market wants?

• Faculty Experience: Are professionals from the industry involved? 

• Placement Records: Do students actually land jobs after graduating? 

• Facilities & Infrastructure: High-end labs, studios, and software access. 

• Alumni Network & Success Stories: Where are ex-students now? 

• Fees vs Value: Affordability matters, especially when quality is non-negotiable. 

Now that we’ve set the bar, let’s jump into the top picks. 

Top 10 Best Animation Colleges in India (Handpicked by Frame Makerzzz): 

1. National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad: 

• Type: Government Animation College  

• Courses: B.Des. & M.Des. in Animation Film Design

• Fees: ₹2–3 Lakhs/year approx.

• Why It’s Awesome: 

• Recognized as a national-level design school. 
• Alumni work at Pixar, DreamWorks, and Netflix. 
• Strong blend of traditional and digital storytelling.

2. Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay: 

• Type: Government Animation Institute

• Courses: M.Des. in Animation 

• Fees: ₹1.5–2 Lakhs/year 

• Standout Factors:

• Tied to the prestigious IIT tag.  

• Best for students focused on deep design thinking and storytelling. 

• Great exposure to tech-driven animation. 

3. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore: 

• Type: Private Animation College

• Courses: B.Sc. in Multimedia and Animation

• Fees: ₹1.2–1.8 Lakhs/year

• Why Choose VIT?: 

• Focus on both theory and hands-on learning. 

• High placement record in gaming and film studios. 

• Well-known for 3D animation programs. 

4. Amity University, Mumbai: 

• Type: Private Animation and Multimedia College

• Courses: B.Sc. in Animation & VFX, B.A. in Multimedia & Gaming

• Fees: ₹1.5–2 Lakhs/year 

• Highlights

• Great campus and modern studios. 

• Industry-centric projects. 

• One of the top animation colleges in India with placement support. 

5. MIT Institute of Design, Pune: 

• Type: Private Design & Animation College

• Courses: B.Des. & M.Des. in Animation Design 

• Fees: ₹3–4 Lakhs/year 

• What’s Special: 

• Blends animation with graphic design. 

• Strong mentorship by industry veterans.  

• Alumni are thriving in creative agencies and production houses like ours. 

6. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore: 

• Type: Private Animation University 

• Courses: UG & PG with animation specialization 

• Fees: ₹3–5 Lakhs/year

• USP:

• Strong focus on creative freedom. 

• Great for graphic design and animation crossover. 

• Proximity to major tech and animation studios. 

7. PA Inamdar VEDA College, Pune: 

• Type: Private Animation College

• Courses: VFX, Game Design, Animation Diploma Courses in India

• Fees: ₹1–1.5 Lakhs/year

• Best For:

• Beginners looking for affordable, quality education. 

• Courses designed with real-world production requirements in mind. 

8. Indian Institute of Film and Animation, Bengaluru: 

• Type: Private Animation School

• Courses: UG, PG, and diploma courses in animation

• Fees: ₹1–2 Lakhs/year 

• Perks:

• Strong in VFX and animation training. 

• Practical projects from the first semester itself. 

• Partnerships with animation and gaming companies. 

9. Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida: 

• Type: Private Animation College 

• Courses: B.Sc. & Diploma in Animation and Multimedia

• Fees: ₹1–1.8 Lakhs/year

• Key Points: 

• Integrated media exposure—great for those into ad films and corporate videos. 

• Regular workshops with industry professionals. 

• Placement support available. 

10. St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata: 

• Type: Government-Aided

• Courses: Integrated B.Sc. + M.Sc. in Multimedia, Animation Diploma 

• Fees: ₹50,000–₹1.2 Lakhs/year

• Ideal For: 

• Those who want affordability + reputation. 

• Solid foundational learning.  

• One of the lesser-known animation colleges in India with fees that won’t break the bank. 

Best Online Animation Colleges in India: 

Prefer learning from home or need a flexible schedule? Some of the best online animation programs are offered by:

• Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC)

• Arena Animation
• Zee Institute of Creative Art (ZICA)

These institutes offer animation diploma courses in India with modules in 2D, 3D, and VFX—accessible from anywhere. 

Best Animation Colleges in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad: 

Mumbai: 

• Amity University 
• MAAC (multiple locations) 
• FX School 

Bangalore:  

• Srishti Manipal 
• Indian Institute of Film and Animation
• Jain University – School of Animation 

Delhi: 

• AAFT Noida 
• Arena Animation
• Jamia Millia Islamia (Mass Comm with Animation focus)

Hyderabad: 

• Ramanaidu Film School 
• DQ School of Visual Arts 
• Pixelloid Studios (training wing)

Final Frame: So, Which Animation College Deserves Your Storyboard? 

Let’s rewind for a second. We just went through some of the best animation colleges in India—from the big-league champs to rising stars and placement-heavy picks. We even threw in options for online learners, those on a budget, and city-specific favourites from Mumbai to Hyderabad. Oh, and yes—government and private colleges, diploma and degree courses, VFX, 3D, graphic design, it’s all in there.

But hey, here’s the deal: choosing a college isn’t just about ranking. It’s about vibes, vision, and value.

• Are you the techie who wants to code a character’s every blink?

• Or the artsy soul who sketches stories before they even speak?
• Or maybe you’re the next VFX wizard set to shake up the gaming world?

Whatever your flavour, there’s a seat for you in one of these top animation institutes in India. Don’t just settle for a college that teaches you software. Pick one that fuels your creativity, challenges your brain, and gives you real-deal projects (the kind we hire for at Frame Makerzzz).

So go ahead, shortlist your favs, stalk alumni on LinkedIn (not literally), and take the first step toward building a career that’s as fun as it is fierce.