MeitY Announces Electronic Toy Hackathon (e-Toycathon)

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with C-DAC, the Indian Toy Industries, and the LEGO Group, hosted the convocation ceremony for the first batch of engineering graduates trained under the ‘Development of Electronics and IT-based Control and Automation Solutions for Consumer Electronic Goods (Toy Industry)’ project. This initiative aims to support India’s growing electronic toy industry by equipping engineers with specialized skills and fostering innovation.

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Supporting Talent from Underrepresented Communities

This program emphasized inclusivity, selecting engineers from SC/ST communities and the North-Eastern Region (NER) of India. Over the course of a year, participants underwent intensive training, including six months at C-DAC-Noida's toy labs designing and developing electronic toys, followed by six months in the industry creating prototypes tailored to market demands. To support their learning, each trainee was provided a monthly stipend of ₹25,000.

Collaboration with LEGO for Global Exposure

To offer international insights and best practices, the LEGO Group joined as a knowledge partner. Between October 2023 and March 2024, Sam Coates, Head of Innovation (Interactive) at LEGO’s Creative Play Lab, conducted webinars for participants. These sessions focused on toy development standards, experimental design approaches, and feedback on student prototypes, offering valuable global perspectives to the young engineers.

Key Announcements and Industry Engagement

During the convocation ceremony, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan announced the launch of the Electronic Toy Hackathon (e-Toycathon). The hackathon is envisioned as a platform to drive innovation in electronic toy design, encouraging creative solutions and industry collaboration.

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Additionally, Sanjay Mehndiratta, Managing Director of Toys Zone, presented appointment letters to 10 graduating engineers, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to nurturing skilled talent.

Speaking at the event, Krishnan noted, “India’s electronic toy market is growing rapidly, and electronics and IT are integral to developing this ecosystem. This program establishes a foundation for empowering the next generation of engineers. We aim to scale this initiative by potentially setting up a Center of Excellence dedicated to electronic toys in collaboration with STPI, MSH, and other institutions. This effort will foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the industry.”

Distinguished Attendees

The convocation ceremony, held at MeitY headquarters, was attended by prominent figures across sectors:

• Government Representatives: MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, Additional Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar, and Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator for R&D in Electronics and IT.
• Industry Leaders: Vivek Khaneja, Executive Director of C-DAC Noida; Manu Gupta, Chairman of the Toys Association of India; Vipin Nijhawan, Managing Director of S.R. & Sons; and Sanjay Mehndiratta, Managing Director of Toys Zone.
• Global Collaborator: Bhavana Mandon, Country Manager for the LEGO Group in India.

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Paving the Way for a Vibrant Toy Ecosystem

This convocation not only celebrated the achievements of the first batch of engineers but also laid the groundwork for a bright future in India's electronic toy industry. By integrating innovation, inclusivity, and global expertise, the program is empowering young talent to lead the way in designing world-class toys.

With ongoing collaboration between government, industry, and global partners like LEGO, India is poised to become a hub for innovative toy design, driving economic growth and fostering entrepreneurship. As this initiative scales, it presents an opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen India’s position in the global toy market while supporting sustainable development in the sector.

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