India’s Electronics Manufacturing Surges Sixfold In 11 Years, Driven By PLI Push

India’s electronics sector has recorded remarkable expansion over the past decade, with government-backed incentive programmes accelerating growth in manufacturing, exports, and employment.

New data presented in the Rajya Sabha on Friday highlights the transformative impact of production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for large-scale electronics manufacturing and IT hardware.

Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada informed the Upper House that India’s electronics production has multiplied almost six times—from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014–15 to ₹11.32 lakh crore in 2024–25.

He noted a dramatic rise in mobile manufacturing, supported by the PLI for large-scale electronics manufacturing, with output jumping from ₹2.2 lakh crore in 2020–21 to ₹5.5 lakh crore this year.

The number of mobile-making units has also grown from just two in 2014 to more than 300 today.

According to government figures, electronics exports have risen eightfold—from ₹38,000 crore to ₹3.26 lakh crore in the same 11-year period—making electronics India’s third-largest export category.

Mobile phone exports alone have grown from about ₹22,000 crore to over ₹2.2 lakh crore, reflecting India’s increasing role in global supply chains.

Prasada added that the electronics industry now employs an estimated 25 lakh people, based on industry assessments, signalling the sector’s growing contribution to job creation.

Semiconductors and IT Hardware Gain Momentum

India’s semiconductor and IT hardware ambitions have also received a boost. The PLI scheme for IT hardware, which covers laptops, tablets, servers and ultra-small form-factor devices, has already attracted investments worth ₹846 crore.

In tandem, the government has approved 10 semiconductor projects in under three years, with proposed investments totalling ₹1.6 lakh crore.

These units—spanning silicon fabs, silicon carbide fabs, advanced packaging and memory assembly—are expected to support industries such as automotive, telecom, aerospace, power electronics, and consumer appliances.

Prasada said the government’s drive aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

Complementary reforms in taxation, customs duties and foreign investment frameworks have further encouraged manufacturing activity.

With India’s electronics imports at $98.6 billion and exports at $38.5 billion in FY25, the government believes the country is increasingly emerging as a reliable global hub for electronics and semiconductor production.

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