
Union Budget 2025: How India plans to become a global toy hub
Budget 2025: Toys have always held a special place in every child's heart, but finding ones that both kids and their parents are happy with can be a challenge. Good-quality toys often come with a hefty price tag, while cheaper alternatives may not meet the expectations. However, the Indian government has recognised the need for a change and is working towards transforming the toy sector into a global leader.
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In her Union Budget 2025 speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced measures to make India a hub for toys. «We will implement a scheme to build a national action plan for toys, focusing on the development of clusters, skills, and a manufacturing ecosystem. This will help create high-quality, unique, innovative, and sustainable toys that represent the 'Made in India' brand,» she said.
Over the past few years, India has made significant strides in reducing its reliance on Chinese toys. Thanks to increased tariffs and stricter quality controls, the country has slashed toy imports from China by an impressive 80%. Between FY20 and FY24, India raised the customs duty from 20% to 70%, and enforced the Quality Control Order (QCO), which sets safety standards for all toys. The results are clear: In FY20, India imported $235 million worth of Chinese toys, a number that has now plummeted to just $41 million by FY24. India has even become a net exporter of toys, marking a major turning point for the industry.