In a remarkable transformation, India’s mobile phone exports rose from ₹1,500 crore in 2014–15 to a staggering ₹2 lakh crore in 2024–25, marking a 127-fold increase, according to Parliament data disclosed by Electronic & IT Minister of State Jitin Prasada.
How the PLI Scheme Power-Pumped Growth
The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM) has proven instrumental. As of June 2025, it had:
- Drawn investments totaling ₹12,390 crore
- Generated ₹844,752 crore in production
- Contributed ₹465,809 crore in exports
- Created over 1.30 lakh direct jobs
This momentum has reshaped India’s standing in global electronics.
Shift from Importer to Exporter
In 2014–15, India imported 75% of domestic mobile demand. That figure has plummeted to just 0.02%, as domestic manufacturing has ramped up dramatically. Today, India ranks as the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer globally.
Expanding the Scheme: PLI 2.0 & FDI Inflows
A new wave of incentives under PLI Scheme 2.0, focused on IT hardware, has already attracted ₹717 crore in investment, generated ₹12,196 crore in production, and created 5,056 direct jobs.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in electronics manufacturing has surged to USD 4.07 billion since 2020–21, with PLI beneficiaries accounting for USD 2.80 billion of that inflow.
The Strategic Upshot
- India’s export boom reinforces its position as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
- The PLI models are delivering impact, driving production, employment, and exports.
- Reducing import dependence and enhancing domestic capabilities across hardware sectors.