From Import Dependence to Self-Reliance, Manufacturing Value Soars to ₹4.22 Lakh Crore
India has emerged as the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer, marking a significant transformation in its electronics sector. In 2014, India had just two mobile manufacturing units. Fast progress to 2025, over 300 units are operational, driving a surge in domestic production, employment, and exports.
Sharing this milestone, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted that 99.2% of mobile phones sold in India are now made locally. This signifies a remarkable shift from 2014-15. During that period, only 26% were manufactured domestically. The sector’s manufacturing value has jumped from ₹18,900 crore in FY14 to ₹4,22,000 crore in FY24. Meanwhile, mobile phone exports have skyrocketed past ₹1,29,000 crore.
From Imports to Global Exports
India now produces 325–330 million mobile phones annually, nearly saturating its domestic market. This growth has resulted in a major boost in exports. This is a stark contrast to 2014, when India relied heavily on imports. The ‘Make in India’ initiative has been instrumental in driving this shift. It encourages the local production of key components like chargers, battery packs, screen modules, and camera modules.
Job Creation & Expansion of the Electronics Ecosystem
The mobile manufacturing boom has generated over 12 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the past decade. This growth has significantly affected the economy. Moreover, India is now focusing on deepening the electronics value chain, with an emphasis on producing semiconductors and advanced components.
India’s Semiconductor Push: Strengthening Self-Reliance
For decades, India struggled to set up a semiconductor manufacturing base. The India Semiconductor Mission is changing this situation. Five key projects are setting the stage for India’s semiconductor revolution. These projects include Micron, Tata Electronics, CG Power, Keynes, and another Tata project.
A New Era for ‘Make in India’
Beyond mobile phones, India is now manufacturing toys. It is also producing defense equipment and electric vehicle motors. This further advances its goal of becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse. India will lead the next phase of electronics manufacturing. Continued policy support and investments make this possible on the world stage.
