ElectronicsManufacturing – India Records Massive Growth in Jobs, Production and Exports
ElectronicsManufacturing – India’s electronics manufacturing industry has witnessed remarkable expansion over the past decade, with employment opportunities and production levels rising sharply under the government’s Make in India programme. According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the sector has generated nearly 25 lakh jobs while electronics production has grown almost seven times, reflecting India’s increasing importance in the global manufacturing landscape.
Employment Growth Strengthens Manufacturing Base
The ministry said electronics manufacturing has become one of the country’s fastest-growing industrial employers. A major share of this growth has come from the mobile phone manufacturing ecosystem, which now supports nearly 12 lakh direct and indirect jobs across various stages of production, logistics and supply chains.
Government-backed initiatives have also contributed significantly to employment generation. MeitY stated that its flagship programmes have created more than 5.3 lakh jobs. Of these, around 1.8 lakh positions were generated through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing, while other central government schemes accounted for approximately 3.5 lakh additional employment opportunities.
Women Play a Growing Role in the Sector
The electronics industry has also emerged as a significant source of employment for women. Official figures indicate that women account for nearly 30 per cent of all jobs created in the sector during the past ten years.
Their participation is even stronger in mobile phone manufacturing, where they represent close to 70 per cent of the direct workforce. The ministry noted that the PLI scheme alone has helped create employment for nearly 90,000 women, increasing their presence in formal manufacturing roles and contributing to greater workforce diversity.
Tamil Nadu Manufacturing Hub Reflects Industry Expansion
One of the most visible examples of this growth can be seen at the large electronics manufacturing campus in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Thousands of young women are employed there in the production of smartphones and electronic components destined for international markets.
Across three major manufacturing facilities operated by a leading electronics company in the region, nearly 80,000 people are employed. Women make up around 65 per cent of the workforce, highlighting the industry’s growing contribution to inclusive employment.
Production and Exports Register Significant Rise
The ministry reported substantial growth in electronics production over the last decade. Total production increased from Rs 1.90 lakh crore in the financial year 2014-15 to an estimated Rs 13.11 lakh crore in 2025-26, representing nearly seven-fold growth.
Electronics exports expanded at an even faster pace. Export value rose from Rs 38,263 crore to Rs 4.24 lakh crore during the same period, marking an approximately eleven-fold increase. Electronic goods have now become India’s third-largest export category, with shipments reaching $47.96 billion in FY26.
Mobile Phone Manufacturing Leads the Growth Story
Mobile phone manufacturing has been one of the strongest contributors to the sector’s overall performance. Production increased from Rs 18,900 crore in FY15 to Rs 6.27 lakh crore in FY26, reflecting a 33-fold jump.
Exports of mobile phones recorded even stronger growth. Overseas shipments rose from Rs 1,566 crore to Rs 2.60 lakh crore during the same period, representing a 165-fold increase and reinforcing India’s position as an important global supplier of smartphones.
PLI Scheme Continues to Drive Investment
The government credited the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing with accelerating investment and production across the industry. As of March 31, 2026, the scheme had attracted cumulative investments exceeding Rs 20,600 crore.
According to MeitY, companies participating in the programme have generated cumulative production worth more than Rs 11.62 lakh crore, while exports under the scheme have crossed Rs 6.53 lakh crore. The ministry said these achievements demonstrate the growing strength of India’s electronics manufacturing sector and its expanding role in global supply chains.