Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Telangana Toy Clusters Gain Momentum as Exports Surge
India is selling many more toys to other countries.
Toy exports increased to $384.7 million in the latest financial year.
At the same time, India bought fewer toys from abroad.
Telangana’s traditional crafts, including Nirmal wooden toys, may benefit from this change.
The state plans to build a toys park near Hyderabad.
Toy makers also met international buyers at a large exhibition in New Delhi.
Nirmal artisans say they need shared tools, safer workspaces and help creating new designs.
They believe this support could help younger people continue the craft and help families earn better incomes.
India’s toy exports rose 89.1% to $384.7 million in FY 2025–26.
Toy imports fell 37.5% to $232.3 million during the same period.
Nirmal wooden toys, Pembarthi metal craft and Warangal durries are positioned to benefit from expanding demand.
A toys park is planned at Dandumalkapur near Hyderabad to support modern manufacturing clusters.
Artisans are seeking shared facilities, design support, easier BIS compliance and stronger market access for Nirmal toys.
- Who
- Indian toy manufacturers, Telangana artisans and the central and state governments are involved.
- What
- India’s toy exports have increased while imports have declined, creating new opportunities for Telangana’s toy and craft clusters.
- When
- The export and import figures cover FY 2025–26; a BIS survey cited in the article was conducted in 2025.
- Where
- The opportunities concern Telangana, including Nirmal, Pembarthi, Warangal and a planned park at Dandumalkapur near Hyderabad; the industry exhibition was held in New Delhi.
- Why
- Higher demand, customs duties, quality checks, BIS licensing and government cluster support are reshaping the domestic toy industry.
- Toy exports
- $384.7 million in FY 2025–26, up 89.1%.
- Toy imports
- $232.3 million in FY 2025–26, down 37.5%.
- Quality compliance
- 95% of toy samples met prescribed standards in a 2025 BIS survey, compared with 33% in 2019.
- Domestic manufacturers
- More than 1,800 manufacturers received BIS licensing.
- Industry exhibition
- The 17th Toy Biz International B2B Exhibition featured 400 Indian brands and 100 buyers from 40 countries.
- Planned infrastructure
- A dedicated toys park is planned at Dandumalkapur near Hyderabad.
- Government target
- Commerce minister Piyush Goyal announced a task force seeking a 5% share of the global toy market by 2032.