India plans expanded testing infrastructure for toy manufacturing clusters

The Centre has announced plans to expand modern testing infrastructure across toy manufacturing clusters to strengthen quality standards, boost exports and enhance domestic production capabilities, as part of its broader strategy to position India as a global toy manufacturing hub.
Addressing the 17th Toy Biz International B2B Exhibition 2026 in New Delhi, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the government would work through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), National Test House and other public laboratories to establish improved testing facilities for the toy industry, according to an official government release.Goyal urged manufacturers to identify the testing equipment required to ensure Indian-made toys comply with both domestic and international quality standards. The move is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening the country's presence in global export markets.

VIDEO | Delhi: Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurates 17th Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2026.

At the event, Piyush Goyal says, "Toys are in one way the first teacher in our life. They build our mind. In some sense, they are nation builders. Because a good, healthy mind,… pic.twitter.com/aMXwg2ARVu

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 4, 2026

Goyal said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should continue expanding their operations while leveraging the government's policy under which export turnover is excluded from MSME status calculations. This, he said, enables businesses to increase exports without losing access to MSME support schemes.
Calling for stronger industry-academia collaboration, the minister encouraged toy manufacturers to partner with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to establish skill development centres focused on advanced manufacturing techniques and good manufacturing practices.He also proposed the creation of centres of excellence through public-private partnerships to support product testing, design, innovation and product development. These facilities could include dedicated testing laboratories, design centres and exhibition spaces to showcase new products.
Emphasising the importance of technology adoption, Goyal urged manufacturers to integrate computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and CNC machining into production processes to improve precision, efficiency and product quality. He also encouraged investments in better finishing techniques, stronger materials and advanced manufacturing processes, particularly for stitched and electronic toys.
Goyal highlighted sustainability as a key priority, calling on the industry to adopt environmentally responsible manufacturing practices while developing domestic capabilities for components such as motors, electronics, dyes and moulds.According to the government, India's toy exports have grown by 239 per cent over the past four years, while imports have declined by 32 per cent, reflecting the impact of measures aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing.
Goyal urged manufacturers to further expand their global footprint by taking advantage of India's growing network of free trade agreements. He said the India-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement would come into force on July 15, 2026, opening new opportunities for Indian toy exporters in the UK market.He also pointed to emerging opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Gulf countries, while noting that negotiations with several other trading partners are expected to progress later this year. Manufacturers were encouraged to engage directly with overseas retailers, distributors, supermarkets and e-commerce platforms to expand exports.
The minister said India's toy industry has witnessed significant growth under the Make in India initiative and the National Action Plan for Toys launched in 2020. According to official data, the country now has more than 50 toy manufacturing clusters and around 21,000 MSME units engaged in toy production.He added that domestically manufactured toys now meet the majority of India's demand in a market valued at nearly Rs18,000 crore, driven by improved quality standards, expanded manufacturing capacity and greater participation by Indian companies.
The four-day exhibition in New Delhi brought together more than 400 Indian toy brands, over 15,000 business visitors and participants from more than 50 countries, showcasing India's expanding capabilities across the toy manufacturing and export ecosystem.