New Delhi : India’s mobile phone manufacturing industry has achieved a historic milestone, with exports reaching an all-time high of ₹1.5 lakh crore in January 2025, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).
In a press release, the ICEA highlighted that this surge marks a significant jump from the previous export record of ₹22,868 crore set in the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21. The association credited the sharp growth to the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has played a transformative role in the sector.
According to ICEA, mobile phone production has doubled, rising from ₹2,20,000 crore in FY23-24 to ₹4,22,000 crore. The association further projected that production is expected to reach ₹5,10,000 crore in FY24-25, solidifying India’s status as a global manufacturing powerhouse.
With India emerging as a key player in mobile phone manufacturing, the ICEA estimates that mobile phone exports could exceed ₹1,80,000 crore in FY24-25. This would mark a 40% growth compared to the previous fiscal year, which recorded exports of ₹1,29,000 crore. Since the inception of the PLI scheme in FY20-21, this represents an astounding 680% growth.
Mobile phone exports continue to be the biggest driver of growth in India’s electronics sector, with the U.S. standing out as a key market for Indian smartphones, according to ICEA.
Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA, emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum, stating, “We have reached a substantial scale, driven by strong government support and our industry’s robust capability.”
He further added, “We cannot afford to be complacent—our journey has only just begun. There are immense opportunities still to be harnessed, and with the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, our window of opportunity is short. We must take decisive steps forward.”
The ICEA attributed this remarkable achievement to the collaborative efforts between a proactive government and an industry that continues to demonstrate its ability to produce globally competitive smartphones.
For the first time in history, smartphones are poised to become India’s top export commodity, marking a significant transformation in the country’s independent manufacturing capabilities, the ICEA stated