Over the past decade, India has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its electronics manufacturing sector. The production value has skyrocketed from ₹1.9 lakh crore to an impressive ₹9.52 lakh crore, complemented by a robust 22% increase in exports.
In the fiscal year 2014-15, electronics exports from India stood at ₹38,263 crore. Fast forward to last month, and that figure has surged to ₹2.41 lakh crore. Mobile phone manufacturing has emerged as a standout success, with annual production ranging between 325 and 350 million units. Notably, 99% of mobile phones sold in India are now domestically manufactured, a significant leap from just 26% in 2014-15. This achievement is a key highlight of the Make in India initiative.
S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), emphasized the success of the program, stating, “We are manufacturing between 325 to 350 million mobile phones a year in India. With nearly a billion mobile phones in use, we have virtually saturated the domestic market, which explains the substantial rise in exports. The Make in India program has truly excelled, supported by government initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the mobile sector.”
PLI Schemes: Catalysts for Employment and Growth
The PLI schemes have played a pivotal role in boosting employment within the electronics sector, which currently employs around 1.2 million people. These production-linked incentives have not only driven companies to surpass targets but have also facilitated India’s integration into global supply chains. Under current trajectories, the electronics manufacturing sector is projected to reach USD 278 billion by FY 2030.
Additionally, the government is focusing on semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to further enhance the sector’s capabilities and competitiveness. As India continues to innovate and grow, the electronics manufacturing landscape looks poised for even greater achievements in the years to come.
