The establishment of Tool Rooms and Technology Centres in India is closely linked with the country’s post-independence industrialization strategy and the need to strengthen the manufacturing base, particularly for small and medium enterprises. After independence in 1947, India adopted a planned economic development model in which industrial growth was considered essential for achieving economic self-reliance. However, during the early decades, the country faced acute shortages of precision tools, dies, moulds, jigs, fixtures, and skilled technical manpower. These deficiencies severely constrained the growth of engineering industries and MSMEs, which depend heavily on quality tooling for mass production and standardization. In the initial years of industrial development, India relied heavily on imports for sophisticated tools and components. This dependence not only drained foreign exchange but also limited the competitiveness of domestic industries. The government realized that without developing indigenous tool-making capabilities and advanced technical skills, the objective of rapid industrialization would remain unfulfilled. Consequently, strengthening the tooling industry was identified as a strategic priority, as tool rooms are often described as the backbone of manufacturing industries. The concept of establishing specialized Tool Rooms emerged during the Second Five Year Plan (1956–61), which emphasized heavy industries, machine tools, and engineering goods. During this period, India also received technical assistance from several advanced industrial countries. Collaborations with nations such as Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland played a crucial role in shaping the tool room movement in India. These countries had strong traditions in precision engineering and vocational training, and their experiences influenced Indian policymakers. One of the earliest milestones in this direction was the establishment of the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Cuttack, Odisha, in 1967, with assistance from the Government of Denmark. This institution was set up to provide advanced tooling facilities and high-quality technical training to support small-scale industries. CTTC became a model institution, demonstrating how integrated facilities for design, manufacturing, testing,