IP University unveils 4-year course in toy design

To strengthen India’s position in the global toy industry, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (IP University) has announced plans to introduce a four-year Bachelor of Design (B.Design) programme with a specialisation in Toy Design and Development. The programme is being conceived in academic collaboration with the Toy Association of India and will be housed at the University School of Design & Innovation (USDI) on the University’s East Campus.

The announcement was made during the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Exhibition, Asia’s largest toy industry expo, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from July 4 to 7, where the University was a special invitee.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who inaugurated the exhibition, visited the University’s stall and spent quality time interacting with students and faculty. “These young minds are not just making toys; they’re crafting futures. Their work is full of innovation, rooted in Indian culture, and driven by purpose,” he remarked, adding a personal touch by sharing nostalgic anecdotes from his own childhood toys.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Prof Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor, IP University, stated,“This is a significant step in our mission to strengthen design education and foster innovation in India's toy sector. The Indian toy industry is currently worth around $3 billion and is growing rapidly. There’s a huge demand-supply gap in skilled professionals, and this programme is a timely intervention to bridge that gap.”

Prof Verma emphasised that the programme aligns with the Government of India’s vision to position the country as a global hub for toy manufacturing. “Through this course, we aim to blend cultural storytelling with cutting-edge design and technology, making Indian toys globally competitive,” he said.

The University’s exhibit drew significant attention from national and international delegates. Prof Arvinder Kaur, Dean of USDI and USAR, who supervised the student teams, said, “We are proud to see our students demonstrate such creativity and innovation. Their work reflects the interdisciplinary training we focus on, combining design, automation, and cultural context.”

The proposed B.Design in Toy Design is expected to offer hands-on training in design thinking, cultural research, prototyping, automation integration, and child psychology, providing a holistic foundation for aspiring designers in the toy sector.

Kaur said, “We are not just designing toys — we are designing experiences, cultural narratives, and tools for learning and joy.”With this initiative, IP University is poised to lead a paradigm shift in how the Indian toy industry is shaped — through education, innovation and tradition.