Samsung, a key player in the Korean electronics industry, has now extended its “Make in India” campaign by producing laptops domestically in India, following the launch of smartphones.
Samsung’s Noida Facility: Expanding From Smartphones to Laptops
According to a Times Now article, the laptops are put together at Samsung’s Greater Noida factory, where the company also produces wearable technology, smartphones, tablets, and feature phones.
The article further reveals that Samsung’s first shipment of locally produced laptops has already reached the Indian market, and more production expansion is planned. Samsung is increasing its production capacity with the support of the “Make in India” campaign.
Meeting With IT Minister Signals Bigger Plans for India
The Korean electronics giant aims to begin producing additional products in India, as reported by PTI. This comes shortly after IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met with Samsung Southwest Asia President and Chief Executive JB Park and Samsung Southwest Asia Corporate Vice President SP Chun.
The PTI report also noted that the meeting indicated the company’s increased commitment to fortifying its relationship with India and supporting the government’s drive for domestic production.
India’s Growing Laptop Market and Samsung’s Opportunity
Brands like Dell, HP, ASUS, and Lenovo dominate the laptop market, whereas Samsung has not yet reached a wider audience of consumers. In September 2023, Samsung’s entry into the Indian laptop market began to generate excitement. According to reports, the company’s Noida facility would include a dedicated laptop unit that could produce between 60,000 and 70,000 units a year.
Government’s Push: Import Restrictions and PLI Incentives
With the goal of exporting entirely domestic cellphones and electrical gadgets, from semiconductors to completed goods, the “Make In India” campaign seeks to reduce India’s dependency on imports. Alongside this campaign, the government planned to impose import limits on laptops, tablets, and personal computers beginning in January of this year in an effort to pressure multinational giants like Apple, Dell, and Lenovo to increase their domestic manufacturing in the $8–10 billion sector.
Lenovo India MD Shailendra Katyal had stated that the company plans to treble local output to 12 million laptops and smartphones in FY25 from 6.4 million units in FY24, riding on the Centre’s “Make in India” push. In FY25, the business plans to treble local production from 6.4 million laptops and cellphones to 12 million units.
India’s Laptop Assembly Changes Gears Government initiatives, especially the production-linked incentive (PLI) programme, are encouraging several businesses to invest in new or expanded laptop manufacturing facilities in India.
For example, Dixon Technologies, based in Noida, signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government in April to invest INR 1,000 Cr in the construction of a laptop and personal computer manufacturing facility close to Chennai.
Tata Electronics was reportedly in discussions with companies like Microsoft, Dell, and HP, among others, to expand its capabilities and position itself as a fully integrated electronics producer, according to reports from last December.
Supported by EY’s forecast that the domestic electronics manufacturing services sector might grow into an $80 billion market by 2027, the consumer electronics sector in India has been gaining traction in the startup ecosystem.
Quick
Shots
•Samsung begins domestic laptop
production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
•Assembly at Greater Noida facility,
which already makes smartphones, tablets, wearables & feature phones.
•IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met
Samsung executives JB Park & SP Chun, signaling stronger India
commitment.
•Production-linked incentive scheme
driving investments in electronics assembly.
The Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) application window deadline has been extended by the Centre until September 30. Applications under ECMS were previously due on July 31, 2025. According to a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notification, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister of IT, approved the adjustment.
Notably, under the ECMS plan, the Centre has already received bids totalling between INR 7,500 Cr and INR 8,000 Cr. The ministry is expected to sanction projects under the INR 22,919 Cr program by August or September, according to a number of earlier reports.
Scheme Aims to Create 91,600 Jobs & Scale Output
This plan to concentrate on non-semiconductor electronics components was accepted by the union cabinet on March 28. It seeks to draw in INR 59,350 Cr in investment, which will lead to INR 4,56,500 Cr in output and the creation of 91,600 new direct jobs in addition to numerous indirect jobs. With a one-year gestation period, the system has a six-year duration. A portion of the incentive’s payout is also correlated with meeting employment goals.
Rare Earth Shortages & Global Trade Tensions Hit Industry
Cross-border trade disputes are making it challenging for Indian manufacturers to advance smoothly, even as the government promotes the “Made in India” slogan to boost domestic production. A number of ECMS companies raised concerns earlier this month about missing first-year incentive targets because they lacked the necessary resources.
This follows previous Chinese export restrictions on several rare earth elements. To put things in perspective, the incentive payout for the first year under ECMS is contingent upon a number of goals, including employment creation, capital spending, and output value.
However, Indian manufacturing would also be hit hard, as China has banned the supply of seven essential rare earth elements in retaliation for Donald Trump’s announcement of a 34% tariff on Chinese imports into the US. India uses rare earth metals to make consumer gadgets, conventional cars, and electric vehicles, among other things.
In terms of the industry’s progress thus far, India manufactured electronics products valued at INR 9.52 Lakh Cr in FY24 compared to INR 1.90 Lakh Cr in FY15. With 99% of smartphones being produced domestically, the nation has also seen a significant decrease in its reliance on imports, according to the Economic Survey 2024–25.
Policy Support: SEZ Norms Relaxed to Boost Local Manufacturing
Even in her 2025–2026 budget statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the government wants to provide the local electronics equipment industry with a much-needed boost. Since then, the industry has seen a number of advancements. The Centre changed the regulations governing special economic zones (SEZs) last month to give manufacturers of semiconductors and electronic components more latitude.
The minimum amount of land needed to establish SEZ units has been lowered from 50 hectares to 10 hectares under this new notification. Smartwatches, earbuds, display module sub-assemblies, Li-ion battery cells, camera module sub-assemblies, battery sub-assemblies, and various other module sub-assemblies, as well as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and hardware components for mobile and information technology, will all be covered by the relaxation.
Tata Electronics and German engineering behemoth Robert Bosch GmbH teamed together earlier this month to concentrate on semiconductor chip manufacturing and packaging at Tata Electronics’ planned sites in Gujarat and Assam.
According to reports, Delta Electronics, a Taiwanese power and energy management company, is spending $500 million to increase its footprint in India. According to a top official who spoke with a media agency, the investment, which was made public in 2015 as part of the “Make in India” campaign, intends to increase the company’s operations and manufacturing in the nation.
Benjamin Lin, president of Delta Electronics India, stated at Elecrama 2025 that the company has made large investments through its local division since entering the Indian market in 2003. He went on to say that India is a significant market for Delta and that we are dedicated to using our cutting-edge solutions to propel its industrial and energy revolution. The company’s strategic investment in the Krishnagiri facility demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, superior production, and local innovation.
Delta’s Expansion Plan
Lin noted that Delta Electronics is now spending $500 million in India, which includes expanding its Krishnagiri facility. He emphasised that while upholding international industry norms, the investment seeks to increase India’s independence in smart manufacturing and energy infrastructure. Additionally, he stated that by the end of 2025, a portion of this expansion should be operational. It’s important to remember that the 125-acre Krishnagiri project, which included a special economic zone (SEZ), was supposed to be completed in five stages.
At its Krishnagiri location, roughly 90 kilometres from Bengaluru, Delta Electronics produces solutions for telecom, data centre energy efficiency, and electric mobility. Since 2003, Delta Electronics India, a division of Delta Group, has been a prominent player in the power and energy management industry. It leads the market in telecom power, EV charging, and display solutions and specialises in power electronics, automation, and infrastructure. In addition, the company provides energy storage systems, rail transportation, UPS and data centre solutions, and industrial automation. With two R&D centres (Gurugram, Bengaluru), three manufacturing plants (Rudrapur, Gurugram, Krishnagiri), and sixteen regional offices, Delta has a significant national footprint.
India’s EV Sector
India has seen a tremendous increase in EV adoption due to government regulations and startups that prioritise sustainability. The market is expanding quickly despite its late start thanks to the creative solutions provided by companies like Ather Energy, Altigreen, BluSmart, and Exponent Energy. By 2029, the Indian EV market is expected to grow to a value of $110.74 billion. Indian EV entrepreneurs are lowering carbon emissions, providing affordable fossil fuel substitutes, and advancing sustainable mobility, energy infrastructure, and battery management solutions.
The move coincides with the Indian government’s intention to restrict the amount of money that international manufacturers may spend on charging infrastructure to 5% of their overall investment. The purpose of this clause is to guarantee that EV producers concentrate more on making vehicles than on building charging stations. Their pledged commitment in the nation will not include any investments made above the 5% criterion. A few thousand electric vehicles will reportedly be shipped to a port close to Mumbai in the upcoming months by Elon Musk’s Tesla, which is getting ready to enter the Indian market. As part of its expansion strategy in India, the EV giant has also decided on two locations for its showrooms: Delhi and Mumbai.
After ten years, the Government of India’s “Make in India” campaign has demonstrated its effectiveness in stimulating investment, encouraging creativity, and developing top-notch infrastructure to turn India into a center for manufacturing, design, and innovation. It still has a major influence on the nation’s development of a strong manufacturing base for renewable energy. The government’s assistance and incentive program for domestic production in the renewable energy sector is one of its main priorities. India is a major player in the renewable energy manufacturing area because its renewable energy equipment manufacturing industry is well-positioned to meet domestic demand and service the worldwide market through exports.
Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, posted on X India’s #10YearsOfMakeInIndia has profited greatly from the country’s renewable energy sector. “We are providing our domestic industries with all conceivable support, from PLI to VGF. Our goal is for India to become a significant global participant in the whole clean energy solutions value chain.”
Policies to Boost Domestic Renewable Energy Equipment Production
The Union Government has implemented several initiatives to encourage domestic production of renewable energy equipment, including solar PV modules, cells, and upstream components like ingots, wafers, and polysilicon. In addition, the manufacturing of wind turbines, electrolysers for the creation of green hydrogen, and battery energy storage devices for utility-scale electricity storage applications are all part of these initiatives.
The government is working to support domestic production through a variety of financial, economic, and regulatory initiatives. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme offers financial incentives for the establishment of fully or partially integrated manufacturing facilities for solar PV modules and upstream components. The National Green Hydrogen Mission grants incentives for the generation of green hydrogen and the manufacturing of electrolysers, in addition to Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for stationary Battery Energy Storage System projects.
A few examples of fiscal incentives include basic customs tariffs on solar PV modules, cells, and inverters imported into the country, a waiver on import duties for certain capital items needed for domestic manufacturing, and concessional customs duties on inputs used in domestic manufacturing.
Joshi has implemented policy measures through the use of regulations like the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) in government-subsidized schemes including PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM, and CPSU Scheme Phase-II. Additional policies include Quality Control Orders for solar equipment, approved lists of models and manufacturers for solar and wind technologies, and the connection of PLI amounts to local value addition.
Encouraging the Production of Solar PV
The government’s efforts continue to be heavily focused on the manufacturing of solar PV. The government is dedicated to making solar PV production in India self-sufficient (Atmanirbhar) and positioning the country as a key participant in the global value chain. The PLI Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules, which will cost INR 24,000 crores, and other governmental initiatives like the enforcement of basic customs tariffs and domestic content criteria serve as evidence of this commitment.
Due to several initiatives under the “Make in India” campaign, India’s installed solar PV module production capacity has increased from 2.3 GW to over 67 GW since 2014. India can now meet both domestic and foreign demand thanks to this rise. The nation’s capacity to produce solar PV modules has increased quickly; in just the last 3.5 years, it has gone from producing 8 GW in 2021 to 67 GW annually.
Mercedes-Benz India has made a big step towards improving its electric vehicle portfolio by beginning local manufacture of its top-of-the-line electric SUV, the EQS 580 4MATIC, at its Pune facility. This move is meant to boost the company’s electric vehicle portfolio. By manufacturing the luxury electric SUV, India became the first country outside of the United States to do so. This achievement represents a significant milestone for Mercedes-Benz’s global electric vehicle strategy as well as its commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
On 16 September, the EQS SUV 580 was introduced to the market with an introductory price of INR 1.41 crore. It features a driving range of 809 km and comes with a high-voltage battery warranty that is valid for 10 years.
Santosh Iyer, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz India, expressed his pride in the introduction of the locally made EQS SUV 580 4MATIC, which further solidifies India’s position as a major market in the company’s global electric vehicle roadmap. With this significant achievement, the firm is able to demonstrate its manufacturing skills and establish its dedication to assisting India in its journey towards electrification.
In the first half of the year, the company’s Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) penetration is currently at 5% of total sales. The introduction of this vehicle is a component of Mercedes-Benz’s strong push towards electrification, which is in line with the company’s aim for a future that is entirely electric and environmentally friendly. The production of the EQS luxury sedan was followed by the production of the EQS 580 4MATIC, which is the second BEV to be made locally. Over five hundred EQS sedans have been sold by the company in India so far.
To this point, the company has indicated that it will be investing a total of INR 200 crore in 2024 for the purpose of manufacturing operations, the launch of new product lines, and the digitisation of manufacturing processes. Up till the year 2024, the total investments made by the company amount to INR 3000 crore.
With six luxury BEVs already in the market, Mercedes-Benz will have the most extensive BEV range in India. It is because of India’s rising desire for SUVs, which presently account for 55% of the luxury car market, that the company has made the decision to construct the EQS SUV locally. According to Iyer, this is the pinnacle of technology, luxury, and space, at the same time that it prioritises sustainability.
Pune Being a Manufacturing Hub for the Company
Both battery electric cars (BEVs) and vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) are currently manufactured at the Pune plant. The growth rate of the corporation was 60% in the first quarter of 2024.
The EQS SUV 580 4MATIC local production highlights the flexibility of producing internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) vehicles under one roof, as well as managing a complex supply chain process, complex battery fitment process, sophisticated MBUX Hyperscreen installation, and other complex processes.
According to Vyankatesh Kulkarni, the executive director and head of operations for Mercedes-Benz India, the company is the only luxury original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in India to produce two battery electric vehicles from its production site alone.
The EQA, EQB, EQE, and EQS, as well as the ultra-luxurious Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, are the six vehicles that are included in Mercedes-Benz India’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio, according to Kulkarni, who also notes that the company has achieved great progress in the field of electrification.
As a result of the company’s BEV sales increasing by 60% during the first half of 2024, the country accounted for 5% of the company’s total sales. There have already been over 500 units of the EQS 580 sedan sold in the local market, and there have been confirmed bookings for more than 80 Electric G-Class cars prior to the launch of the vehicle.
The 8th Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) meeting under the National Technical Textiles Mission was held in Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi and it was headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles on 27 August 2024. Under the “Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)” programme, the committee has allotted around INR 50 Lakhs to four different startups.
As part of the “General Guidelines for Enabling of Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles,” the committee has also given five educational institutions a grant of around INR 20 crore to start offering technical textiles courses.
The recognised Startup initiatives centre on three important strategic domains: smart textiles, sustainable textiles, and composites. New Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) programmes in technical textiles, geotextiles, geosynthetics, composites, civil structures, and related subjects have been suggested by recognised educational institutions.
India’s Textile Industry
Over the past five years, India’s technical textiles market has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8-10%, making it the fifth largest market in the world. In the fiscal year 2021-22, the market size reached $21.95 billion, with domestic output amounting to $19.49 billion and imports amounting to $2.46 billion.
National Technical Textiles Mission
A National Technical Textiles Mission has been established in India with the objective of achieving an average growth rate of 15-20%. This mission was established in recognition of the potential of the India’s textile sector. Through market expansion, international collaborations, and the Make in India programme, the mission intends to realise its goal of increasing the size of the domestic market for technical textiles to between $40-$50 billion by the year 2024.
As a result of India’s rapid scaling up of production of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and masks during the Covid-19 crisis, the Technical Textiles sector acquired greater significance. This development demonstrated India’s capacity to innovate even in difficult circumstances.
In October of the previous year, the Ministry of Textiles approved 23 key research projects with a total value of around INR 60 crores. Speciality fibres, sustainable textiles, geotextiles, portable technology, and sports textiles are some of the fields that are covered by these initiatives.
Government funding is available through the programme to assist companies in developing working prototypes or in the process of “commercialising” their technology. It wasn’t until October 2023 that the ministry first mentioned the notion of the grants.
As part of the effort to foster innovation in technical textiles, the centre plans to provide assistance to 150 entrepreneurs. Incubators would receive 10% of the total subsidy, while 26 institutes will receive a total of INR 151 crore to upgrade their labs and create and provide technical textile courses.
Technical textiles’ rising popularity can be attributed to their widespread application in industries like aviation, agriculture, and the automotive sector. Resham Sutra, Chematico Technologies, Greenwear, and many more have emerged as a result of this.
The toy industry is one of the most promising export markets because of its high growth potential. Forecasts indicate that the Indian toy market will reach $3 billion by 2028, expanding at a CAGR of 12% from 2022 to 2028, as per the data shared by Invest India. This places it among the world’s fastest-growing industries.
The toy sector in India is growing its international footprint by sending more expensive toys to countries in Africa and the Middle East. A rise from 60% to 70% was enacted in Budget 2023 regarding the import tariff on toys. In 2021, the Toys Quality Control Order (QCO) was put into effect to guarantee the safety of imported and manufactured toys by increasing their standardization.
With a 52% drop in imports, a 239% increase in exports, and an improvement in the overall quality of the toys offered in the domestic market, the Indian toy sector saw tremendous growth in FY 2022-23 compared to FY 2014-15. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has undertaken a case study on the “Success Story of Made in India Toys” that takes these points into account.
The government’s initiatives have improved the production environment for the Indian toy business, according to the research. The report emphasized that between 2014 and 2020, a total of six years of hard work, doubled the number of manufacturing units, cut reliance on imported inputs from 33 percent to 12 percent, increased gross sales value by 10 percent CAGR, and improved worker productivity.
The survey found that zero-duty market access for locally manufactured toys in countries like Australia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as India’s integration into the global toy value chain, are contributing factors to the country’s rise to the position of the top exporter. According to the report, if India wants to make a name for itself in the toy industry and compete with China and Vietnam, it needs the government and the toy industry to work together on several fronts, including technological advancements, eCommerce, partnerships, exports, brand-building, communicating with parents and teachers, cultural diversity, collaboration with local artisans, etc.
The goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Mann ki Baat” speech in August 2020 was to make India a major player in the toy industry. Government efforts to realise the vision include, among other things, the creation of comprehensive plans like the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) to encourage plaything design, plaything use as a teaching tool, plaything quality control, indigenous plaything clusters, etc.
Total Revenue of the Global Toy Market From 2019 to 2022
Revolutionary Sparks
This turnaround was greatly influenced by the ‘Make in India‘ project, which was spearheaded by the Indian government and aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing skills. The toy industry reaped considerable benefits from this movement’s goal of revitalizing the nation’s industrial sector. As a safeguard against the flood of imported toys, local makers were given a boost by the implementation of higher customs taxes, which were increased from 20% to 60% in 2020 and then to 70% in 2023.
The noose around low-quality imports was further tightened by non-tariff measures, such as strict quality control standards and required testing for import shipments. The government’s dedication to improving the quality and safety standards of toys, both imported and domestically produced, was highlighted in 2021 with the adoption of the Quality Control Order (QCO) for toys.
In addition to regulatory measures, the government also took aggressive steps to encourage innovation and self-sufficiency in the industry. Promoting indigenous toys, encouraging startups, and showcasing Indian craftsmanship on global platforms have been made possible through programs like the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT), the Toy Cluster under the Scheme of Funds for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), and the Indian Toy Fair 2021.
As a result of India’s participation in the global toy value chain and the elimination of tariffs on toys made in India in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Australia, the toy industry in India has also flourished. The international toy expo in Germany recently saw orders worth crores of rupees for Indian toys from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Germany, among others.
The incredible journey of endurance and strategic brilliance is exemplified by the evolution of the Indian toy sector into a global innovation hub. The sector has triumphed over import obstacles by embracing cultural diversity, innovation, and quality, with the help of the government and the dynamism of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Technology, sustainability, and worldwide competitiveness will play a pivotal role as it moves forward. This comeback is more than just a financial success; it is a tribute to India’s diverse cultural heritage and an indication of the country’s growing prominence in the international toy industry. It heralds a future in which play represents inclusivity, learning, and responsibility.
India hopes to enhance its defense exports and decrease its dependence on foreign suppliers by implementing Make In India. The global defense market is worth $2.1 trillion. In 2022, India spent around $76.6 billion, or 2.4% of its GDP, on its military, putting it third in the world behind China and the United States. This represents 3.7% of worldwide military spending. Startups in the Indian defense sector are anticipated to get increased funding and focus as the industry keeps expanding in the country.
Being in the vanguard of technological innovation, the defense sector is always adapting to meet the problems of contemporary security and combat. Firms that are at the forefront of innovation and technological growth are crucial in propelling revolutionary changes. Examples of such pioneering firms are DRDO, Bharat Electronics Limited, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), which is a division of Tata Group. These companies are changing the face of defense technology, from new airplanes to cutting-edge weaponry, thanks to their insatiable need for innovation.
Consistent with this ever-changing environment, India is utilizing the Make in India drive to greatly improve its offensive and defensive capabilities. The main goal is to increase defense exports and decrease dependence on defense equipment and technology imports to gain a portion of the $2.1 trillion global defense industry. With the help of tax breaks and other government programs, the Make in India initiative encourages large corporations, new businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises to manufacture defense equipment in India. These initiatives are complemented by the Indian government’s Innovation for Defense Excellence (IDEX) program, which was established to encourage innovation and provide assistance to startups operating within the defense industry.
Big private enterprises in India are in the news all the time. Airbus Defense & Space (DS), a subsidiary of Airbus, and Tata Advanced Systems, a company that designs and produces aerospace, defense, and security goods, recently worked together to produce and build the C-295 medium-lift transport plane. The largest development since the private sector became involved in India’s defense industry is the deal for INR 21,935 Cr ($2.67 Bn) that involves the production of 40 fly-away C-295 aircraft and the provision of MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) services for 56 aircraft.
Guns and mounted vehicles make up the bulk of Bharat Forge’s order book, which surpasses INR 2,000 Cr ($240 Mn). Mahindra Defense Systems is presently fulfilling two orders from the Indian government: one for light combat vehicles valued at INR 1,056 Cr ($129 Mn) and another for an integrated anti-submarine warfare defense suite valued at INR 1,350 Cr ($165 Mn) from the navy.
Size of the Military Aircraft and Aerospace Manufacturing Market Worldwide From 2018 to 2021
Make In India
The government’s procurement process gives preference to indigenous products, and the Make in India initiative has established a hospitable environment for domestic manufacturers, opening up new markets for entrepreneurs and increasing domestic military production from 54% in 2019 to 75% by 2024.
From 2022 to 2030, the government will indigenise 411 weapons, platforms, and systems that were previously outlawed. Imports of some types of aircraft, including transport, basic trainer, and light combat planes, as well as certain missiles, destroyers, artillery cannons, and naval utility helicopters, are prohibited.
The government has also made public three lists of 3,738 components that DPSUs import annually for a total of INR 39,000 Cr ($4.75 Bn). In the next years, these components will be indigenized to a large extent, with the private sector set to get 25%.
iDEX
The Indian government, cognizant of the limitations of conventional domestic defense contractors, launched a groundbreaking initiative in 2018 known as iDEX, or Innovations for Defense Excellence, as part of the Make in India project. Over the next five years (from 2021-22 to 2025-26) the plan would distribute funding to about 300 startups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), individual innovators, and 20 partner incubators, with a total of INR 500 Cr ($60 Mn) in the budget. To aid fledgling defense companies, the initiative has launched several projects and schemes, such as:
The Defense Innovation Startup Challenge (DISC) is an initiative in India designed to find and back innovators and companies developing game-changing defense technology. The Defense Minister of India introduced the ninth iteration of the DISC initiative in February 2023. The program’s 28 problem statements center on cybersecurity. Notable Indian investors have pledged around INR 200 Cr to the iDEX Investor Hub, which he has also inaugurated.
The funding and management of iDEX are overseen by a “Defense Innovation Organisation (DIO)” that was established as a “not-for-profit” business in compliance with Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013. Its original intent was to encourage creative problem-solving and technological advancement within the defense industry.
Startups and inventors can get funding from the Technology Development Fund (TDF) to help them build defensive technologies. The Defense Minister gave the green light in June 2022 to increase the funding for each project under the MoD’s TDF plan from INR 10 Cr to INR 50 Cr.
Going Forward
By taking advantage of these programs, several Indian defense startups were able to rapidly expand their operations, improve their products and services, and secure contracts with the Indian military.
In 2020, 44 out of 194 defense technology businesses in India that were part of the Startup India mission were active participants in the iDEX project, according to a research report published in the media. With the help of iDEX awards totaling over INR 200 Cr, the number of defense startups has increased to over 300.
A joint report by industry bodies FICCI and KPMG had estimated that the Indian toy industry was worth USD 1 billion in FY 2019-2020 which would double by FY 2024-2025 to reach USD 2 billion. These figures are low compared to the global worth of the toy industry which stands at a whopping 120 billion.
This is a massive change from a decade ago when the Indian market was flooded with imported toys with eight out of ten toys being predominantly imported from China. The import worth of toys in the year 2014 was USD 3.28 billion and USD 19.36 billion in 2015 – six times higher than the export. The Indian toy industry was ailing due to a lack of investment and technology as well as competition from cheap imported toys. Also, traditional toys were long forgotten and the local industry was in shambles with 40% of manufacturing units closing permanently and a further 20% on the brink of shutting down.
Approximately three years ago, the industry turned on its head as it grew to become a net foreign exchange earner. Exports increased by 61.4% from USD 202 million in FY 2018-2019 to USD 326 million in FY 2021-2022 while imports decreased by 70% from USD 371 million to USD 110 million during the same period.
The global disaster of the covid-19 pandemic caused a severe disruption in supply in the year 2020. This became a blessing in disguise in a combination with rising governmental support for the dwindling toy industry.
Introducing New Policies
The Indian government introduced two key initiatives. February 2020 saw an increase in basic customs duty from 20% to 60%. Then a year later, in January 2021, it issued a Toys Quality Control Order, which made it mandatory for all toy manufacturers, domestic and international, to get a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for selling toys in the Indian market. As per the specifications, all toys for children under 14 years of age must conform to 7 Indian quality standards. These supportive measures had the combined effect of curbing cheap as well as high-quality imports and encouraging local manufacturers to flourish. The immediate effect was on the long-standing public health concerns surrounding Chinese toys, 67% of which were found to be highly toxic.
BIS Certification
The introduction of the BIS rules also heightened India’s stance with its major markets like the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands in Indian exported toys maintaining international standards. It also encouraged many toy importers to enter the manufacturing space to export Indian toys to markets in West Asia and Africa.
Drawing the Attention of Multiple Players within the Industry
A National Toy Action Plan was introduced in the year 2020 to boost domestic manufacturing of toys as per the ‘Make in India’ plan and make the market more competitive. The India Toy Fair was launched in 2021 providing a platform for toy manufacturers to exhibit their creations. This led to a direct connection with end customers who could purchase toys from them. Also, this provided an excellent way for traders to assess the industry’s potential.
A program named SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) was launched. Under this program, Toy Clusters will be created aiming to bring together in-campus business support services that will include business accommodation and social infrastructure to support the entire workforce working under the Toy Clusters. These Toy Clusters will enfold different business services involved in toy making like raw material suppliers, shared infrastructure, research and development, design and prototyping, testing, training, quality certification, customs, ancillary industries, and service providers. The Indian government has approved a total of USD 23 billion for constructing 8 toy manufacturing clusters – 3 in Madhya Pradesh, 2 in Rajasthan, and 1 each in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Launching the PLI Scheme
The Government of India is planning to launch a Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme worth USD 35 billion that is specifically for Indian toy manufacturers making both traditional and mechanical toys. Applicable for five years, this scheme will apply to BIS-compliant toys subsidizing the sale of toys by local manufacturers.
India hits Chinese Toy Market as Indian Kids Now Play with Made-in-India Toys
Utilizing E-commerce
Digital India’s proactive approach is ensuring that toys manufactured in India are slowly and surely gaining more presence on popular e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart. Indian toys are also available on the government website GeM.
The proactive measures taken so far by the Indian government to revive the toy industry are highly encouraging as toy manufacturers are seeing newer opportunities. These measures are also helping India in building its image as a trustworthy destination for quality manufacturing. The scope for growth of the Indian toy industry is great which will also boost employment in direct and indirect jobs within the industry.
Ajay Agarwal, President of the Toy Association of India said – “Now several makers are manufacturing toys based on Indian ethos and culture. Icons like Chhota Bheem are very popular and several manufacturers have the license to manufacture them.”
Conclusion
The Indian government’s move to prohibit the sale of non-certified toys is being hailed as a game-changer and a major booster for the Indian toy manufacturing industry. Added to that, the various hand-holding schemes launched by the government are also helping to set up more manufacturing units. The industry is on the path of strong growth and expansion with the talent and ability to become a global toy manufacturing hub as more and more international brands are also exploring the possibility of setting up their manufacturing units in the country.
FAQs
Is the toy industry growing in India?
The Indian toys market reached USD 1 billion in FY 2019-2020. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach US$ 2.73 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.6% during 2022-2027.
What changed the Indian toy industry?
Below are the factors that changed the Indian toy industry:
Introducing new policies
Domestic manufacturing of toys as per Make in India
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The female hygiene market in India is a rapidly growing industry, with an increasing awareness of menstrual hygiene and feminine hygiene products among women. However, the market is still facing some challenges such as lack of awareness, taboos and low penetration of products in rural areas. According to estimates, only 12% of women in India use sanitary napkins, while the rest rely on traditional methods. Also, the lack of proper disposal facilities and inadequate sanitation facilities in schools and workplaces also pose a challenge to the growth of the market.
Mildcares is a brand that has taken on the challenge of improving the lives of women by addressing the issue of menstrual hygiene. They have developed GynoCup, a sustainable, cost-effective, and superior form of managing periods using a menstrual cup. Let’s learn more about the company’s vision and how its co-founders plan to solve the challenges in this area.
Understanding femininity and her struggles, as well as how to empower the feminine race, was where it all began! GynoCup is a revolutionary invention that immediately belongs to reducing the arduous days of menstruation and making each woman’s life healthier and better. Our efforts are furthered by our significant contributions to the community, international organisations, and educational sectors.
“I founded this company after witnessing how unpleasant menstruation was for my sister and wife. That is why I established my company with a range of hygiene products for women that are both comfortable and discreet. – Sandeep Vyas
Team of GynoCup wants to break the taboo surrounding menstruation and mainstream the adoption and use of new and innovative menstrual care solutions.
Mildcares intends to dominate the market over the next five years, with an emphasis on retaining production within the country’s borders and the motto ‘Aatma NirbharBharat‘ in mind and heart.
Mildcares: Market/Industry Details
Female Hygiene Market in India
The feminine hygiene products market was worth $441 Mn in 2020 and is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.87% between 2021 and 2025, reaching $944 Mn by 2025.
In 2020, less than 41% of about 355 million menstrual women adopted hygienic menstruation protection techniques. In India, sanitary menstruation products such as sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, tampons, pantyliners, and intimate cleansers are widely used. Sanitary napkins are the most often used, with 17.63% of menstrual women using them.
In India, the female sex ratio is 48% of the overall population. Out of the overall 48% female population out of which 55% menstruate (Children below 12 and those over the age of 50). The premium target audiences are 34% urban and 66% rural. which makes total target audience as 35 million people.
Mildcares: The Product/Service
GynoCup is a game-changing brand that aims to offer world-class products that can quickly reduce period discomfort and enhance menstrual hygiene. It prioritises women’s personal hygiene and strive hard to make menstruation less uncomfortable in order to make a significant difference in the lives of its consumers.
MildCares (Gynocup) offers a range of products for period care, intimate hygiene, and toilet hygiene. In the period care category, the company offers Menstrual Cups, Menstrual Cup Wash, Menstrual Cup Sterilizer container, Menstrual Cup Lubricant Water Based and Period Cramp Relief Roll On. These products aim to provide safe, eco-friendly and comfortable solutions for menstruation related issues.
In the intimate hygiene category, Mild Cares (Gynocup) offers Natural Intimate Wipes, Intimate Men’s Wash, Feminine Intimate Wash, Intimate Lightening Serum and Stretch Mark Removal Cream. These products are designed to provide effective and safe solutions for skin care, personal hygiene, and intimate area related issues.
In the toilet hygiene category, the company offers Disposable female urination Device (Stand & pee), Reusable Female Urination Device (Stand & pee) and Disposable Toilet Seat Covers paper. These products are designed to provide a hygienic and convenient solution for using public toilets and preventing the transmission of diseases.
To ensure that its products are both safe to use and environmentally sustainable, they are totally made in India using FDA-certified medical-grade silicone.
Mildcares: Founders + Team Details
Co-founders, Mildcares
Sanddep Vyas and Rachna Vyas are the Co-founders of Mildcares.
Sandeep Vyas holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Institute of Management Studies Indore in India and over a decade of experience developing profitable rising enterprises. He understands marketing communication, business administration, and company growth.
Rachna Vyas, has 7+ years of operational experience with Network 18 Involved in the research and development in the company. Her objective in life has always been to liberate women from menstrual poverty. She take a personal interest in the designing of the products and she make sure that all the products are made from organic materials.
At Mild Cares, we don’t believe in stuffing a statistic or just boosting staff numbers to fit the stereotyped numbers. We believe in keeping things small yet effective. As a result, as of this writing, we have sixteen extremely skilled professionals working with us, including some of the most well-known front-end leaders”, says Sandeep Vyas.
Mildcares: Name, Tagline, and Logo
Mildcares Logo
Understanding womanhood and her challenges, as well as how to empower the feminine race, was where it all began! “GynoCup’s tale began when we realised that no woman in any part of the world should be ashamed of her womanhood because of the pain she endures every month. GynoCup is every lady’s best friend because it is dedicatedly made and designed to help during menstruation.”, said by Sandeep Vyas.
Mildcares: Business Model and Revenue Model
Mildcares currently has 7000 monthly orders and more than 200000 Gynocup users [Jan 2023]. GynoCup offers goods through ecommerce marketplaces as well as its own website. The company also distributed the content through more than 50 Offline stores too.
GynoCup also has strategic partnership with pharmacy distributors and a couple of significant NGOs to distribute products on a wide scale on a regular basis. Recently the company started exporting to the USA and Canada.
Mildcares- Challenges
When GynoCup was launched, there were a lot of size issues, and women were extremely confused about which size to use. The team understood that menstrual cups are not a one-size-fits-all product. That is how they started a Size Guarantee Program- if you receive the incorrect cup size or if the cup does not work for you. they provide a size exchange for free or a complete refund. This not only solved the issue but also built trust among its users.
The company runs surveys and solicit input from its consumers about the cup and its use; this allows it to improve its product while also understanding the problems that the customers are experiencing. The company also attempted to educate its clients on the use of menstruation cups by developing instructive movies and putting them on our social media.
Mildcares- Growth
Initially, GynoCup used social media channels to spread awareness about menstrual cup creating content around how menstrual cup is perfect alternative of sanitary pads & tampons.
They also worked with some influencers who were real user of GynoCup and asked them to share their experience to build customer trust.
The family of GynoCup team also used the same products which helped them to get good word of mouth publicity.
Their “Size Satisfaction Guarantee” Program was a game chnager! The company knows that menstrual cups are not one-size-fits-all products – they’re not necessarily the right period products for everyone. That’s why the company offers 100% replacement or refund, “if you get the wrong cup size or if the cup simply doesn’t work for you.”
“We are currently concentrating on raising awareness of this product in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, as well as in more rural locations. According to our poll in the village area, only one lady out of 500 knew about menstruation cups. So, in the future, we want to perform ground-level promotion to raise awareness of this product. In the next five years, we intend to cover at least 70% of rural and urban areas.”, said Sandeep.
Mildcares- Future Plan
The company is looking to touch Rs. 100 crore revenue by 2025-26” Mildcares’s Brand Gynocup was shortlisted from among 2000 startups worldwide and reached the semi-finals with their promising brand offering which offers to become a safe and hygienic product for women globally.
In the next 5 years, we see the industry growing exponentially as more and more women become aware of the benefits of using eco-friendly menstrual products. We also see a shift in consumer preferences towards reusable and sustainable options. As a company, we plan to capitalize on this trend by expanding our product range and distribution network.
