As part of its efforts to strengthen India’s electronic toy industry, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has established a strategic alliance between the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)-Noida and the LEGO Group. This collaboration was officially marked with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) under the initiative ‘Development of Electronics and IT-based Control and Automation Solutions for Consumer Electronic Goods (Toy Industry).’
This initiative, spearheaded by MeitY’s research and development division, is designed to enhance innovation in the Indian toy industry by equipping young engineers with essential technical skills. The program particularly focuses on individuals from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the North Eastern Region (NER) backgrounds, ensuring inclusive development in the sector.
Under this program, young engineers from across India undergo a year-long training that integrates both academic and industry experience. The first six months involve intensive research and development (R&D) training at CDAC-Noida’s toy labs, where participants engage in hands-on projects related to electronic toy design. The subsequent six months provide an opportunity for these engineers to work within the industry, gaining practical insights into toy prototype development that aligns with market demands.
A key highlight of this collaboration is the mentorship provided by LEGO India, in association with CDAC-Noida and the Creative Play Lab (CPL) of the LEGO Group. As part of this mentorship, one to two students from each batch will receive personalized guidance from LEGO experts. Additionally, select participants will have the opportunity to visit the LEGO Group’s headquarters in Billund, Denmark, where they will be exposed to global best practices in toy development and design. CPL will also facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions through webinars, offering insights into innovation methodologies, toy development standards, and feedback mechanisms to refine the prototypes created by the young engineers.
The formal signing event, held at MeitY headquarters on February 6, 2025, was attended by distinguished officials and industry leaders. Key dignitaries present included Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar and Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretaries at MeitY, Ms. Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator for R&D at MeitY, and Shri Vivek Khaneja, Executive Director of CDAC-Noida. The LEGO Group was represented by Ms. Colette Burke, Global Chief Commercial Officer, and Mr. Claus Kristensen, Senior Vice President of the APAC Market Group, alongside other senior officials from the ministry and industry.
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This initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in encouraging Indigenous toy manufacturing and reducing dependency on imported electronic toys. By bridging the gap between academic training and industry requirements, the program aims to nurture the next generation of toy innovators in India. The collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing research and innovation while empowering young engineers from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the country’s growing electronic toy sector.