India’s electronics production reached an unprecedented Rs 11.3 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, nearly six times higher than Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15, according to an official release by the Ministry of Electronics and IT. The remarkable growth reflects the country’s journey from being a net importer of electronic goods to emerging as a global manufacturing powerhouse.
Exports of electronic goods also saw exponential growth, rising eightfold from Rs 38,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 3.27 lakh crore in 2024-25. This surge has been driven by rising domestic capabilities, strong policy incentives, and the entry of major global manufacturers.
Over the last ten years, the sector has created 25 lakh jobs, strengthened supply chains, and attracted over $4 billion in FDI, establishing India as a trusted electronics hub under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Mobile manufacturing powers India’s growth story
The standout performer in India’s electronics boom has been the mobile phone industry, which has experienced transformative growth both in production and exports.
In 2014-15, India’s mobile phone output was worth just Rs 18,000 crore. A decade later, in FY 2024-25, the figure reached Rs 5.45 lakh crore, a 28-fold increase, making India the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world.
Exports have been equally remarkable, jumping 127 times, from Rs 1,500 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 2 lakh crore in 2024-25.
From merely two manufacturing units in 2014, India now boasts over 300 factories, producing around 330 million devices annually. In fact, the country has become nearly self-reliant, moving from importing 78 percent of its mobile requirements in 2014-15 to manufacturing almost all devices domestically today.
India overtakes China as top smartphone exporter to the US
The momentum continued into the current fiscal year. In the first five months of FY 2025-26 alone, smartphone exports reached Rs 1 lakh crore, marking a 55 percent increase over the same period last year.
Significantly, in the second quarter of FY 2025-26, India surpassed China to become the top smartphone exporter to the United States, a milestone achievement that underscores India’s growing competitiveness in global electronics trade.
Global tech giants, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, have expanded production in India, supported by government incentives and infrastructure upgrades. In 2024, Apple alone recorded exports worth Rs 1.10 lakh crore (US$12.8 billion), a 42 percent year-on-year increase.
Policy Push: The engine behind the electronics boom
The unprecedented growth of India’s electronics industry has been anchored by strong government interventions aimed at building a resilient manufacturing ecosystem.
Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Launched with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore across 14 sectors, including electronics and IT hardware, the PLI scheme has been instrumental in attracting investment and boosting exports.
According to government data, the scheme has generated Rs 8.56 lakh crore in production, Rs 4.65 lakh crore in exports, and 1.35 lakh direct jobs. Nearly 70 percent of the total FDI in electronics manufacturing since FY 2020-21 has come from PLI beneficiaries.
SPECS: Strengthening the Supply Chain: The Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) provides a 25 percent financial incentive on capital expenditure for domestic manufacturing of critical electronic components.
This has reduced dependency on imports, enhanced local capability, and positioned India as a key player in the semiconductor and electronic components value chain, a foundation essential for long-term technological sovereignty.
Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS): Approved in May 2025 with an outlay of Rs 22,919 crore, the ECMS has received 249 applications worth Rs 1.15 lakh crore in proposed investments, nearly double the original target.
The scheme is expected to generate Rs 10.34 lakh crore in production and create 1.42 lakh direct jobs over six years. Its success reflects strong industry confidence and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving a $500 billion domestic electronics ecosystem by 2030-31.
Electronics: The backbone of modern India
The rapid growth in electronics manufacturing is not just an industrial success, it’s shaping the future of India’s economy. Electronics today form the backbone of innovation across sectors, powering everything from communication and healthcare to transportation and automation.
Consumer Electronics: The expansion of consumer electronics, including TVs, refrigerators, and home appliances, has brought comfort and convenience to millions of households. Growing affordability and product diversity are boosting domestic demand, supporting both urban and rural consumption.
Automotive Electronics: As India transitions to electric and smart mobility, the demand for advanced sensors, battery management systems, and infotainment technology is skyrocketing. The automotive electronics sector is now a key pillar of India’s EV revolution.
Medical Electronics: The rise of digital health and medical devices has enhanced accessibility and precision in healthcare. Equipment like oximeters, glucometers, and portable diagnostic tools, largely made in India, are transforming medical care delivery.
Electronic Components: The expansion of component manufacturing has reduced import dependency and improved resilience. Components are the invisible infrastructure powering every modern system, from defence to consumer gadgets.
Major export destinations
India’s electronics exports are increasingly diversified, with the United States, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Italy emerging as the top five destinations in FY 2024-25.
India’s integration into global supply chains is deepening as multinational companies relocate production bases from other regions to India, attracted by policy stability, cost competitiveness, and market potential.
Foreign investment and employment impact
Since FY 2020-21, India has attracted over $4 billion in FDI in electronics manufacturing, signaling global investor confidence in the country’s long-term growth story.
The industry has also become a major employment generator, directly and indirectly supporting over 25 lakh jobs through manufacturing, logistics, and allied services.
The creation of electronic manufacturing clusters, export-oriented zones, and R&D facilities has opened new avenues for skill development and innovation, especially among youth and MSMEs.
Toward a $500 billion electronics ecosystem
Looking ahead, the government has set an ambitious goal, to build a $500 billion electronics manufacturing ecosystem by 2030-31.
With sustained investment under PLI, SPECS, and ECMS, alongside reforms in logistics, infrastructure, and digital policy, India aims to position itself not just as a manufacturing destination but as a global innovation hub.
Electronics today symbolise India’s economic resilience and technological ambition. From smartphones to semiconductors, India’s rise in electronics reflects a broader transformation, one that combines policy foresight, industrial growth, and national aspiration.
A decade ago, India’s electronics sector was heavily import-dependent. Today, it stands as a global manufacturing powerhouse, contributing significantly to exports, employment, and innovation.
Driven by visionary initiatives like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and key schemes like PLI, SPECS, and ECMS, the nation has rewritten its industrial story.
As India moves toward 2030, its electronics industry is set not just to meet domestic demand but to power the global digital future, showing the country’s emergence as a world leader in technology, innovation, and manufacturing excellence.
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