Smartphone exports cross record Rs. 2 lakh crore, now India’s largest export commodity

India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), announced that mobile phone exports from India have crossed an all-time high of Rs. 2,00,000 crore in FY 2024-25. This marks a 55% growth over the Rs. 1,29,000 crore recorded in FY 2023-24. In a historic first, smartphones have now become India’s single largest export commodity (Smartphones now rank 1st among India’s Top Export Commodities), signalling an unprecedented Make in India success. ICEA appreciates the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, which has made this achievement possible.

The phenomenal surge in exports is driven primarily by the strategic implementation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, which has transformed India into one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile manufacturing hubs. The scheme has attracted substantial global investments, enhancing India’s competitiveness, scale, and capability to integrate deeply into Global Value Chains (GVCs). The export momentum is led by global companies such as Apple and Samsung, which have scaled their manufacturing operations significantly in India. As a result, India’s mobile phone production is estimated to have reached Rs. 5,25,000 crore in FY25, up significantly from Rs. 4,22,000 crore in the previous fiscal year.

Highlighting the significance of this landmark achievement, Mr. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA, stated “Crossing Rs. 2,00,000 crore in smartphone exports marks a strategic shift in India’s role in global electronics manufacturing. Smartphones are now India’s largest export commodity. This reflects the growing strength and maturity of India’s electronics sector. The PLI scheme has played a central role in this transformation. It has helped build scale, attract leading global investments, and position India as a competitive and reliable manufacturing base for the world.”

Addressing disabilities related to cost competitiveness, infrastructure, logistics, and tariffs remain ICEA’s topmost priority, as it continues to advocate strategic policies aligned with the government’s vision of making India globally competitive.

Mohindroo further emphasised, “Our foremost priority is to nurture scale in mobile phone manufacturing, drive export-led growth, enhance competitiveness, expand into new markets, and address existing cost and operational disabilities. With mobile phone production now reaching a substantive scale of Rs. 5,25,000 crore per annum, this momentum will provide the thrust needed to build capacities and capabilities in the domestic component ecosystem. We now need to double down on our efforts to create a sustainable, long-term ecosystem that can anchor India’s leadership in the global electronics value chain.”

ICEA also notes that recent shifts in global trade dynamics, particularly the reciprocal tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, have opened strategic opportunities for Indian electronics in the U.S. market. While ICEA continues focused efforts to address and leverage these new opportunities, its broader vision remains clear: to position India as the preferred electronics supplier globally, addressing not just specific market needs but becoming an integral part of global electronics supply chains.

“While shifts in global trade policies, such as the reciprocal tariffs by the U.S., have created new opportunities, our aspirations are global. Our vision is to position India as the principal manufacturing partner and preferred supplier for all major global markets. The world must see India as a natural and strategic choice in electronics manufacturing.” Mr. Mohindroo concluded.

ICEA remains committed to facilitating policy frameworks, advocating industry interests, and nurturing India’s electronics ecosystem to achieve India’s ambitious target of $500 billion in electronics manufacturing and exports by 2030.

CT Bureau