MeitY Announces e-Toycathon

Source: This post on MeitY Announces e-Toycathon has been created based on the article “MeitY Announces Electronic Toy Hackathon (e-Toycathon) during the convocation ceremony of 1st batch of 15 Young Engineers” published in PIB on 25th November 2024.

Why in news?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) hosted the convocation ceremony on November 23, 2024, in Delhi. The event marked the graduation of the first batch of 15 engineers trained under the Electronic Toys Project.

About the Electronic Toy Hackathon (e-Toycathon)

1. Aim: to foster innovation and creativity in electronic toy development.

2. The initiative seeks to further strengthen the Indian toy industry by leveraging electronics and IT solutions.

3. Plans were discussed to formalize the program on a larger scale, enabling more students to benefit.

4. MeitY proposed setting up a Center of Excellence (CoE) for electronic toys with support from STPI, MSH, and other institutions. The CoE is expected to encourage entrepreneurship and startup culture in the toy industry.

About the Electronic Toys Project

1. Aim: The project aims to develop electronic and IT-based control and automation solutions for the toy industry.

2. Focus: It focuses on building a robust ecosystem for the Indian toy industry by creating indigenous prototypes and skilled professionals.

3. The initiative gives priority to young engineers from underrepresented communities, including SC/ST and the North-Eastern Region (NER).

About the Training Program

1. The program lasted one year, split into two six-month phases. The first phase involved hands-on training at C-DAC Noida’s toy labs, and the second phase focused on industry-based training to create toy prototypes.

2. Participants received a monthly stipend of ₹25,000 during the program.

3. Engineers were selected from across India, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology