Manufacturing | Consumer Goods | Exports | Government Policy
India's Toy Industry Records Strong Growth in Manufacturing and Exports
Driven by policy reforms, quality upgrades and expanding trade agreements, India’s toy sector is rapidly emerging as a globally competitive manufacturing and export hub.
Published: 29 July 2026 Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India
Key Performance Indicators (FY19 – FY26)
89.1%
Growth in Toy Exports
₹1,913 Cr → ₹3,616 Cr
37.5%
Decline in Toy Imports
₹3,494 Cr → ₹2,184 Cr
95%
Toys Meeting BIS Quality Standards (2025)
Up from 33% in 2019
40+
Countries at Toy Biz Exhibition
400 Brands | 30,000 Visitors
Overview
India’s toy manufacturing sector has witnessed remarkable progress over the past several years, propelled by a comprehensive suite of government interventions designed to bolster domestic production capacity and sharpen the country’s competitive edge in international markets. Data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Jitin Prasada, confirmed that toy exports surged substantially between FY19 and FY26, while imports registered a notable decline — underscoring the expanding strength and self-sufficiency of the Indian toy manufacturing ecosystem.
The sector’s growing momentum was prominently on display at the 17th Toy Biz International B2B Exhibition, organised under the aegis of the Toy Association of India. The event served as a showcase for the advancing capabilities of Indian toy manufacturers and their steadily growing footprint across global markets.
Key Highlights at a Glance
📈 Export Performance
- ✅ Exports surged 89.1% from ₹1,913.16 crore (US$ 203.5 million) in FY19 to ₹3,616.18 crore (US$ 384.7 million) in FY26
- ✅ Imports fell 37.5% from ₹3,494.01 crore (US$ 371.7 million) to ₹2,183.62 crore (US$ 232.3 million)
- ✅ India has transitioned from a net importer toward greater self-reliance in toy production
🎪 Toy Biz Exhibition Highlights
- 🏷️ 400 Indian toy brands showcased
- 🌍 100 international buyers participated
- 🗺️ Representatives from 40+ countries
- 👥 Approximately 30,000 business visitors attended
- 🏆 95% of toys met BIS quality standards in 2025 (up from 33% in 2019)
Government Initiatives Driving Growth
The Central Government has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to strengthen the domestic toy ecosystem. The following policy measures have been instrumental in catalysing growth across manufacturing, quality assurance and exports:
- National Action Plan for Toys
- Quality Control Order (QCO) enforcement
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandatory certification
- Increased customs duties on imported toys
- Cluster development programmes for toy hubs
- Startup India support for toy entrepreneurs
- Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme
🌐 Zero-Duty Market Access Secured Under Trade Agreements
India has negotiated preferential zero-duty market access for toy exports under bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements with the following nations and blocs:
Why This Development Matters
The concurrent rise in exports and reduction in imports signals a significant structural shift toward self-reliance in India’s toy manufacturing landscape. This trajectory validates the effectiveness of targeted policy interventions aimed at nurturing domestic production capabilities.
The dramatic improvement in quality compliance — from just 33% of samples meeting standards in 2019 to 95% in 2025 — demonstrates that Indian manufacturers have not merely scaled output but have also elevated product quality to internationally acceptable benchmarks.
Preferential market access secured through free trade agreements with six major trading partners positions India favourably to accelerate export momentum. The broader implications extend to employment generation, particularly within the MSME sector, and to strengthening India’s manufacturing reputation on the global stage.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Data referenced from the written reply in Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry.
Disclaimer: This article is based on secondary research from official and publicly available sources. While FinIntelHub strives for accuracy, it does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information.