On 5th January, 2021, Toycathon 2021; a Hackathon to crowd source innovative ideas for the Toys and Games based on Bharatiya history, civilization, ethos, and culture was launched by Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Hon’ble Minister of Education and Smt. Smriti Irani, Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles. Toycathon 2021 is organized by the Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education with support of AICTE, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Toycathon is a novel opportunity for students from HEIs and schools to propose toys and games that will greatly help India develop into a global hub for toys and games and assist our children to understand the ethos and values of Indian culture as envisaged in the National Education Policy 2020. There are three tracks in this hackathon for submission of ideas from different participants.
The winners of the Toycathon will have a chance to win total prize money worth of Rs. 50 lakhs.
The last date for submission of ideas in the prescribed format is 20th Jan 2021.
Result Announcement Phase -1 (Tentative) 10 Feb 2021
Grand Finale Phase -2 (Tentative) 22 Feb 2021
Focus of Toycathon
Toy/Games concepts based on Indian civilization, heritage, culture, mythology,history, ethos, technology, ethnicity, national heroes and important events
Inculcate positive behaviour and good values(‘Sanskaar’)
Toys for specially-abled/ Divyanga children
Boosting physical and mental fitness
Using eco-friendly, indigenous, non-hazardous or recycled material
Focus on promoting Vedic Mathematics
Encouraging national unity and respecting the cultural diversity.
Supporting missions like Swatch Bharat, BetiBachaoBetiPadhao, Environment Conservation, Climate Change, Digital India, Skill India, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Rediscovering/redesigning traditional Indian toys
Toys for pedagogy (for teaching students’difficult concepts in Math, Science, Languages, Social Sciences, etc.)
Design should confine to basic toy guidelines issued by Govt. of India. Click the link to view the Gazette Notification
TRACK 1
Junior Students
Junior Level Participants that involves problem statements & innovation process in toys that focus on primary level development inclusive of hardware & stuffed practices
TRACK 2
HEI’s Students
Senior level participants [HEI’s] that is having major involvement of AI or advance practices in order to develop toys affordable and of better quality.
TRACK 3
Professionals
Start-up-Professional Level that incudes overall innovation and development of prototypes that enables toy industry to boost up the production and quality toys in the Indian market
For more information, please visit https://toycathon.mic.gov.in/index.php
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