Background of Toycathon 2021

1. Although India is the birthplace of many globally popular games such as Chess, Ludo, and Snakes and Ladders, it is not among the leading developers and manufacturers of toys.
2. Currently, the Indian toy market is valued at around 1.5 Billion USD. A significant portion of this market is dominated by imported toys, which do not necessarily represent the Indian heritage, civilization, and value systems.
3. The Indian government is making efforts to promote the indigenous toy industry to ensure self-reliance in this sector.

An Overview of Toycathon 2021

1. Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Union Minister WCD and Textiles Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani jointly unveiled Toycathon 2021 on January 5th, 2021.
2. Toycathon 2021 is an inter-ministerial initiative organized by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell. This initiative has been supported by All India Council for Technical Education – AICTE , Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Textiles, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
3. Toycathon 2021 aims to challenge the innovative minds of India to conceptualize unique Toys and Games that reflect the Indian civilization, history, culture, mythology, and ethos. This initiative aligns with the ‘ Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan ’ initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
4. Winners of Toycathon can receive prizes up to 50 lakhs.

Key Features of Toycathon

1. Toycathon is a unique hackathon where students and teachers from schools and colleges, design experts, toy experts, and startups will collaborate to crowdsource ideas for developing toys and games.
2. The toys and games developed during Toycathon will be based on Indian culture and ethos, local folklore and heroes, and Indian value systems.
3. Toycathon will revolve around nine themes. These include-
   • Indian Culture, History, and Knowledge of India and Ethos
   • Learning, Education, and Schooling
   • Social and human values
   • Specific occupations and fields
   • Environment
   • Divyang (differently-abled)
   • Fitness and sports
   • Creative and logical thinking
   • Rediscovering and redesigning traditional Indian toys
4. Toycathon will comprise three tracks - Junior Level, Senior Level, and Startup Level.

Objective of Toycathon

1. Toycathon aims to tap into India’s one billion USD toy market.
2. In line with the goals of the National Education Policy – NEP 2020 , Toycathon seeks to leverage the innovative prowess of 33 crore students across the country.

Why is Toycathon Significant?

1. Toycathon will contribute to reducing toy imports by developing India as a global toy manufacturing hub.
2. Toycathon will promote the use of educational toys in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
3. It is the first time in India that schoolchildren will get an opportunity to innovate, design, and conceptualize toys.
4. Toys can be an excellent medium to further the spirit of ‘ Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat ’.
5. Toycathon is a government initiative aimed at creating an ecosystem for the domestic Toy industry and the local manufacturers, tapping untapped resources, and utilizing their potential.
6. It supports missions like Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Environment Conservation, Climate Change, Digital India, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Skill India. Read about the Skill India Mission in detail.
7. It encourages the use of eco-friendly, indigenous, non-hazardous, or recycled material.
8. It aims to instill positive behavior and good values.
9. It promotes national unity and respects cultural diversity.

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