As part of its research initiatives, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched a new collaboration to foster innovation in India’s electronic toy industry. CDAC-Noida, a MeitY research body, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Creative Play Lab (CPL) of the LEGO Group to develop R&D-driven toy prototypes and empower young engineers through global mentorship and training.
This project aligns with key initiatives from the 2025-26 Union Budget, which focuses on strengthening manufacturing and R&D, especially in electronics and automation. The budget has prioritized domestic innovation, skill development, and support for underrepresented regions to promote inclusive growth across industries.
Empowering Engineers from Underrepresented Communities
Young engineers from SC/ST and North Eastern Region (NER) backgrounds have been selected to participate in a year-long R&D program. This program is aimed at providing hands-on training in electronic toy development.
The training program consists of:
- Six months of R&D in CDAC-Noida’s toy labs.
- Six months of industry-based training to develop market-ready toy prototypes.
To ensure global exposure, LEGO India will mentor 1-2 students per batch, offering support on design and innovation. Students will also visit the LEGO Group’s headquarters in Billund, Denmark. CPL will provide further guidance through webinars, sharing best practices in toy experimentation and standards compliance.
Building a Stronger Indigenous Toy Industry
This initiative is part of MeitY’s broader goal to strengthen India’s consumer electronics ecosystem, with a specific focus on automation technologies in toys. It reflects the government’s emphasis on enhancing R&D capabilities, domestic manufacturing, and global competitiveness in line with budget priorities for self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta).
The budget has allocated resources for infrastructure, R&D, and market access, with special measures to promote the development of high-potential industries like toys. This includes subsidies for technology adoption, incentives for patents, and financial support for supply chain innovation.
Also read: Global Smartphone Shipments Rise 7.1% in 2024
Support for Startups and MSMEs in Toy Innovation
To complement the project, MeitY is encouraging startups and MSMEs to enter the toy sector. The Focus Product Scheme, introduced in the budget for specialized manufacturing sectors, could play a crucial role in supporting components like toy design and automation solutions. Programs like PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Yojana, which emphasize skill-building, also aim to provide new job opportunities within sectors like consumer electronics and toys.
Event Overview
The February 6, 2025 signing ceremony saw participation from key government and corporate leaders, including:
- Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, MeitY
- Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY
- Ms. Sunita Verma, GC R&D, MeitY
- Shri Vivek Khaneja, Executive Director, CDAC-Noida
- Ms. Colette Burke, Global Chief Commercial Officer, LEGO Group
- Mr. Claus Kristensen, Senior Vice President, APAC Market Group, LEGO Group
This partnership underscores the government’s commitment to building a sustainable, innovation-driven electronic toy ecosystem, while also addressing regional development, inclusivity, and skill enhancement in emerging industries.
