Published on: August 3, 2025 at 21:44
India has achieved a major manufacturing milestone—surpassing Vietnam to become the world’s third‑largest exporter of mobile phones. In calendar year 2024 alone, exports soared to USD 20.5 billion, fueling a massive employment surge of over 1.7 million direct and indirect jobs in the manufacturing ecosystem.
The Rise — From Importer to Export Powerhouse
Just a decade ago, India was heavily dependent on imports, with exports at only USD 0.2 billion in 2017–18. By 2024–25, exports exploded to around USD 24 billion, reflecting an astonishing nearly 12,000% growth. The country has maintained a positive net export trend since 2018–19. That growth has vaulted India past Vietnam, now ranked #4 with around USD 19 billion in exports
What’s Behind the Boom: Policy & Ecosystem
This transformation is driven by:
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Make in India, Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), and especially the Production‑Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme launched in 2020, which incentivised global OEMs to invest in Indian manufacturing.
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A shift toward global value chain (GVC) integration, with Apple, Samsung, Wistron, and Foxconn expanding operations here.
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Strategic tariff reforms, like cutting import duties on key smartphone parts in 2025 to boost competitiveness.
Domestic Value Addition & Jobs
Domestic Value Addition (DVA) has grown substantially:
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Total DVA stood at ~23% of production value in 2022–23, equating to over USD 10 billion.
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Direct DVA rose 283%, from USD 1.2 billion to USD 4.6 billion.
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Indirect DVA surged 604%, from USD 470 million to USD 3.3 billion, signalling a more mature domestic component industry.
Meanwhile, employment in the sector exploded—supporting over 1.7 million jobs as of FY 2022‑23, with export‑linked roles increasing 33‑fold, and wages rising in tandem.
Why This Matters
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India’s mobile exports now contribute around 7% of global mobile exports, and its rise has come at a time when Vietnam’s and China’s exports have declined—creating an opportunity India seized.
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Apple’s strategic shift—part of its China + One supply chain strategy—means 44% of U.S. smartphone imports are now from India, overtaking exports from China and Vietnam combined in Q2 2025.
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This boom offers a blueprint for other electronics sectors (like laptops and networking gear) to replicate the success
This article is based on publicly available data, news reports, and industry analyses at the time of writing. All statistics, company names, and references mentioned are for informational purposes only. The content is intended for general awareness and does not constitute financial, investment, or policy advice. While we strive for accuracy, we recommend verifying key facts from official sources.
FAQs
1. Why is India now the 3rd-largest mobile exporter?
Due to policies like PLI, Make in India, and global brands expanding production here.
2. What is the value of India’s mobile exports?
USD 20.5 billion in 2024, surpassing Vietnam.
3. How many jobs were created?
Over 1.7 million direct and indirect jobs.
4. Which companies helped boost exports?
Apple, Samsung, Foxconn, and other OEMs.
5. Is India close to China in mobile exports?
No, China is still #1. India is now ranked 3rd, ahead of Vietnam