India’s mobile phone export sector is witnessing remarkable growth, with May 2025 marking a 74% year-on-year (YoY) increase, reaching over ₹26,559 crore (US$ 3.09 billion). This export figure stands as the second-highest monthly export value ever recorded, trailing only March 2025, which saw exports worth ₹26,645 crore (US$ 3.1 billion). The surge has been primarily driven by Apple’s aggressive export push to the United States, ahead of anticipated tariff hikes, enabling India to solidify its position as a critical node in global smartphone supply chains.

The India mobile exports May 2025 data was compiled from industry sources and shared with the government, highlighting an impressive run since October 2024, where monthly mobile exports have consistently surpassed ₹17,190 crore (US$ 2 billion). This upward trend continued into April 2025, with exports valued at ₹20,628 crore (US$ 2.4 billion), reflecting a 62% YoY growth.

PLI Scheme Fuels Mobile Export Growth

At the heart of this growth is the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched by the Indian government in 2020, which has significantly boosted domestic smartphone production and exports. Between FY23 and FY25, mobile exports from India surged from ₹95,405 crore (US$ 11.1 billion) to ₹2.07 lakh crore (US$ 24.1 billion), showcasing the effectiveness of government policy in transforming India from a net importer to a key exporter of mobile phones.

The PLI scheme mobile phones target was supported by global tech giants like Apple, whose three contract manufacturers in India—Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (now Tata Electronics)—have been the largest contributors to export volumes. These firms, under the incentive structure, have ramped up both assembly capacity and local sourcing, aligning with India’s broader vision of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Historic Transition: From Import-Dependent to Manufacturing Powerhouse

Back in 2014, India imported nearly 78% of its mobile phones, but in a decade-long industrial policy shift, this figure has reversed. Thanks to the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) initiated in 2017, and further accelerated by the PLI scheme in 2020, India now manufactures 99.2% of all mobile phones sold domestically as of 2023.

This shift is not only significant from a trade balance perspective but also a major success story for India’s industrialization journey. It has created thousands of jobs, supported the growth of component ecosystems, and attracted global supply chain investments.

Mobile Exports Lead Electronics Export Surge

The electronics sector has now become India’s third-largest export category, after engineering goods and petroleum products. In the first two months of FY26, total electronics exports hit ₹70,995 crore (US$ 8.26 billion), registering a 47.2% YoY growth, making it the fastest-growing segment among India’s top 30 export categories.

Mobile phones alone accounted for 67% of electronics exports in April–May FY26, a sharp jump from 59% during the same period last year. This shows the increasing export dependence on smartphones, a sector now deemed strategic for India’s trade and industrial policy.

The India smartphone export growth story is driven by several factors:

• Government subsidies and policy stability under PLI.

• Global brands’ China+1 strategy, with India emerging as the preferred alternative.

• Rising demand from the US and EU markets for India-assembled smartphones.

• Streamlined supply chains due to improved infrastructure and logistics.

Apple’s Dominant Role in Export Momentum

Apple’s operations in India have had a profound effect on mobile export growth. With the rising geo-political tensions and trade risks involving China, Apple has accelerated efforts to diversify production, making India its second-largest manufacturing base.

In recent months, Apple's India exports to the US surged, particularly in March and May 2025, in preparation for new US tariff regulations on Chinese electronics. This move alone was responsible for the record-high exports in March and the second-highest in May.

The localization of Apple’s supply chain, involving both Indian and global vendors, has also catalyzed development across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where new factories and component units are emerging.

Outlook for FY26 and Beyond

With exports already touching ₹47,273 crore (US$ 5.5 billion) in just the first two months of FY26, India is on track to cross ₹2.5 lakh crore (US$ 29.2 billion) in mobile phone exports this fiscal year. This represents a 41% growth over the corresponding FY25 period, setting a new benchmark for the sector.

Industry experts believe India could soon challenge Vietnam’s global ranking in mobile and electronics exports, given the scale of investment, workforce training, and policy tailwinds backing the Indian industry.

However, to match or surpass China, India would need to:

• Deepen its component manufacturing ecosystem, particularly for semiconductors.

• Strengthen R&D capabilities for design-led exports.

• Further reduce logistical and operational costs.

A Template for Electronics Export Growth

The success of the mobile phone PLI has encouraged policymakers to replicate the model across other segments of electronics such as IT hardware, wearables, white goods, and semiconductors. If implemented with the same rigour, India could well position itself as a top three global electronics exporter within the next decade.

The PLI performance for smartphones shows that right policy incentives, coupled with industry execution and geopolitical opportunity, can deliver exponential growth. It also highlights India’s potential to lead the next global manufacturing shift, especially in high-tech exports.

Conclusion: A New Era for Indian Electronics

The India mobile exports data 2025 paints a clear picture: India has moved from being a buyer to a builder and now a global supplier of mobile technology. The month of May, with its 74% YoY export growth, is more than just a milestone—it is a symbol of India’s arrival on the global electronics stage.

With PLI as the backbone, and global players like Apple as catalysts, India’s transformation into a trusted export hub for smartphones and electronics is well underway. As India eyes higher global rankings, the emphasis will be on scaling responsibly, building resilient supply chains, and sustaining export momentum.

In this fast-evolving narrative of India’s manufacturing resurgence, mobile exports stand as a beacon of policy success, private sector collaboration, and strategic vision.

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