India has launched a new ₹62,500 crore mobile manufacturing scheme to boost domestic production and foster Indian smartphone brands.
The five-year scheme will run from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, building on the success of previous initiatives.
It features two distinct tracks: one for large manufacturers and Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) companies, and another specifically for Indian smartphone brands.
The scheme aims to increase large-scale production and incentivize the creation of homegrown brands with intellectual property and design capabilities in India.
Mobile Manufacturing.jpg
Detailed Insights:
The first track acts as a successor to the earlier Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program, offering incentives for expanding production and increasing domestic component sourcing.
To qualify for the first track, manufacturers must have recorded at least ₹10,000 crore in turnover in FY 2025-26, with rising incremental sales targets annually.
The second track provides higher support for Indian brands that maintain their intellectual property, management control, design, and research and development capabilities within the country.
Eligible Indian brands will receive a 5% incentive on incremental sales, with an additional 3% for products designed and developed in India, and up to 1.5% for domestic sourcing.
This initiative signals a shift in government ambition from merely attracting assembly units to developing a robust domestic product capability and ownership in the electronics sector.
The higher incentive structure for Indian brands is designed to mitigate the initial cost disadvantages they might face against established global competitors.
Key Concepts Involved:
Production Linked Incentive (PLI): A scheme offering incentives to companies on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.
Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS): Companies that design, manufacture, test, distribute, and provide return/repair services for electronic components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).