India’s Smartphone Exports: India has achieved a significant milestone in its smartphone export sector, crossing a remarkable $21 billion in exports for the financial year 2024-2025. This figure represents an impressive 54% increase compared to the same period last year, marking a transformative leap for the country’s electronics industry. The surge in exports has been largely attributed to the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has played a crucial role in attracting global tech giants, such as Apple, to establish manufacturing operations in India.
The success of the PLI scheme has not only bolstered India’s export figures but has also helped shift the country from being a net importer of mobile phones to a net exporter. Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw had previously projected smartphone exports to reach $20 billion for FY 2024-25, but the final figure surpassed expectations, reaching $21 billion with one month still remaining in the fiscal year. This growth has been pivotal in strengthening India’s position in the global smartphone supply chain and is expected to continue reshaping the country’s manufacturing landscape.
The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) credits the government’s PLI scheme for attracting major global players, particularly Apple, to India. The scheme was introduced to incentivize domestic production and reduce India’s reliance on imports, and it has yielded substantial results.
As a result, India has not only been able to meet 99% of its domestic smartphone demand through local production but has also significantly increased its exports. The expansion of Apple’s manufacturing presence in India has been a major contributor to this growth. According to ICEA, nearly 70% of India’s smartphone exports during the first 11 months of FY 2024-25 came from Apple’s supply chain. The Foxconn facility in Tamil Nadu, a key partner in Apple’s global manufacturing operations, accounted for almost 50% of the country’s smartphone exports. Exports from this plant have surged by over 40% compared to the same period last year.
In addition to Apple, South Korean electronics giant Samsung also contributed significantly to India’s export figures. The company accounted for approximately 20% of the total smartphone exports from India in the first 11 months of FY 2024-25. This diverse range of contributors underscores India’s growing stature as a hub for smartphone production and export, with both domestic and international players investing heavily in the country’s electronics manufacturing sector.
