India has witnessed a stunning evolution in the mobile manufacturing space, emerging as the world’s third-largest mobile phone exporter with total exports reaching US$ 20.5 billion in calendar year 2024, as per a study by the Centre for Development Studies (CDS). This achievement marks a dramatic shift from India’s prior reliance on mobile imports to now becoming a dominant force in global exports.
The transformation began around 2017, gaining strong momentum after the rollout of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 2020. This policy played a crucial role in boosting large-scale electronics production and integrating Indian manufacturers into global value chains. The country’s mobile exports, which stood at just US$ 200 million in 2017-18, have skyrocketed to an estimated US$ 24.1 billion in 2024-25—reflecting a jaw-dropping increase of more than 11,950%.
In a rare feat for a developing country, India’s mobile exports have now outpaced domestic consumption. The industry has also shown a consistently positive net export trend since 2018-19, underlining its structural strength and long-term potential.
The report further spotlights the growing share of Domestic Value Addition (DVA), which now comprises 23% of total production value—amounting to over US$ 10 billion in 2022-23. Direct DVA surged by 283% to US$ 4.6 billion since 2019-20, while indirect contributions from component manufacturers and service providers reached US$ 3.3 billion—a sixfold jump.
The sector’s growth has also translated into socio-economic gains. Employment in mobile manufacturing now exceeds 1.7 million jobs, with export-driven roles expanding by over 33 times. Moreover, wages in export-related jobs have improved significantly, suggesting that growth is becoming more inclusive.
To maintain this momentum, the study advises India to retain its export-oriented strategy, enhance infrastructure, streamline tariffs, and prioritise scale before deepening localisation. With these steps and continued global integration, India could repeat this success across the wider electronics sector, positioning itself as a global production powerhouse.
