Here is a list of software must haves for 3D Animation and Graphics:
1) Image Editing sofware: Photoshop 6.0 or above
2) 3D software: Lightwave 3D is a good product even though not well known in India you can purchase it from the net. Other alternative for it are 3D Studio Max 4.0 and Maya.
3) Environment building: Bryce 5 is suppose to be the best. I would also Try Vue D’ Espirit which is a excellent software but you will not find it anywhere in the world.
4) Body handling software: Poser is my favourite software for making animated humans or animals. It is amazingly powerful and extremely user friendly.
This list of software is a must have. But to buy all the software on this list you need to have a fortune. Therefore I would suggest you perfectly master them by taking some classes and then go and buy or get the softwares.