India's smartphone exports have achieved a significant milestone, reaching a record Rs. 25,000 crore (US$ 3.14 billion) in January 2025. This performance surpassed the entire FY21 total, demonstrating the growth and potential of India as a major player in the global smartphone manufacturing sector. This growth reflects a 140% increase over January 2024, when smartphone exports stood at Rs. 11,373 crore (US$ 1.31 billion).

The Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Railways, Electronics & IT, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, has projected that India’s smartphone exports will reach Rs. 2,25,000 crore (US$ 25.92 billion) by FY25, following the Rs. 1,35,439 crore (US$ 15.6 billion) achieved in FY24. These figures highlight the tremendous rise in exports driven by the country’s increasing prominence as a global smartphone manufacturing hub.

Role of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

One of the key factors driving this growth is the success of India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Launched to address the cost disadvantages that hindered India’s competitiveness in manufacturing, the scheme has been instrumental in attracting global players like Apple to shift their supply chains to India. The scheme aims to make India a competitive global manufacturing hub by providing incentives to companies for producing smartphones and other electronics domestically.

Since the scheme’s introduction, smartphone exports from India have grown consistently. From Rs. 26,914 crore (US$ 3.1 billion) in FY21, exports have surged to Rs. 1,35,439 crore (US$ 15.6 billion) in FY24. This growth trajectory demonstrates the significant success of the PLI scheme, positioning India as one of the largest smartphone exporters globally.

Impact of Major Players and Shifts in Global Supply Chains

The surge in smartphone exports is also supported by strong contributions from major manufacturers. In January 2025, 70% of India’s total smartphone exports came from Apple. Key suppliers, including Foxconn, contributed Rs. 8,334 crore (US$ 960 million), accounting for 33% of the total, while Tata Electronics contributed over Rs. 6,945 crore (US$ 800 million) and Pegatron exceeded Rs. 4,341 crore (US$ 500 million). These companies’ continued investment in India’s manufacturing sector has helped increase the country’s exports and significantly boosted its standing in the global smartphone market.

India’s Growing Global Importance in Smartphone Exports

A decade ago, in FY15, smartphone exports ranked as 167th among India’s total exports. By December 2024, smartphone exports had become the second-largest export category, underscoring India’s growing significance in the global smartphone market.

This rapid rise is a reflection of India’s burgeoning manufacturing capabilities and the country’s strategic push to increase its presence in global supply chains. The country’s smartphone export figures for FY24 and the strong growth forecast for FY25 point to an upward trajectory for India’s role in the global electronics and smartphone manufacturing sectors.

Conclusion

The record-setting performance of India’s smartphone exports in January 2025, exceeding Rs. 25,000 crore, underscores the significant impact of initiatives like the PLI scheme and the country's increasingly pivotal role in the global smartphone market. With major companies like Apple, Foxconn, and Tata Electronics leading the charge, India’s smartphone export sector is poised for further growth, contributing to the nation’s economic transformation. The projected increase to Rs. 2,25,000 crore (US$ 25.92 billion) in FY25 reflects the sector’s immense potential for the coming years.

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