Electronics & Components: Why is India Lagging Behind?
India has struggled to transition from a dominant player in the software industry to a competitive force in electronics manufacturing. This lag is partly attributed to the lack of government focus over the last 20 years. During this time, much of the global electronics manufacturing technology and foreign direct investment (FDI) flowed into China. Advanced economies like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States did not consider India as an alternative manufacturing hub.
This dynamic began to shift with the outbreak of COVID-19, which disrupted supply chains and forced industries to reevaluate their dependence on China. For the first time, serious discussions emerged about relocating electronics manufacturing to other countries. However, since China had established a stronghold on lower-end electronics manufacturing, it was Chinese companies themselves that began shifting operations to countries like Vietnam and Malaysia.
India was largely overlooked in this process, except in areas like mobile phones and a few select components. Furthermore, Chinese companies sought to establish manufacturing bases abroad with their own investments and control, which India deemed unacceptable. As a result, Chinese investments in this sector were restricted, limiting the country’s ability to capture a significant share of the global electronics manufacturing market.
India’s Focus on the Electronics Industry
India’s journey toward establishing a robust electronics manufacturing ecosystem began two years ago with the launch of Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes aimed at attracting the semiconductor manufacturing industry. A substantial $20 billion investment was allocated to entice global manufacturers from Taiwan, Israel, and the United States to set up facilities in India. Companies such as Micron, TATA, Foxconn, Israel’ Tower and others have already taken advantage of these incentives. Within two years, India is expected not only to test manufactured chips but also to produce 14nm and 28nm chips domestically, both for local use and export.
Another segment of the electronics industry witnessing rapid growth includes the manufacturing of LCD panels, electronic appliances, electric vehicles components (EVs), and mobile phone components. The groundwork for these initiatives has already been laid. A $3 billion incentive scheme is in place to encourage manufacture.
Additionally, significant incentives are being offered to kickstart the manufacturing of computer hardware and display units. Efforts are also underway to modernize and upgrade the Mohali Semiconductor Laboratory to produce highly specialized semiconductors. Approximately $1 billion has been sanctioned for this purpose.
While this push is at least a decade overdue, the adage “better late than never” holds true. The government’s top policy think tank, NITI Aayog, has set an ambitious goal of expanding India’s electronics manufacturing to $500 billion by the fiscal year 2030.
These initiatives have the potential to generate 2 million high-tech jobs. However, the lack of skill training presents a challenge. As a result, industries are compelled to train newly hired employees, which could slow down the growth of startups.
Conclusion
India’s focus on the electronics industry has been long overdue. For years, the country concentrated on assembling mobile phones, relying heavily on imports from China for key components. With a massive trade deficit with China and the global shift toward high-end chip manufacturing, India had no choice but to realign its priorities. The recent push toward electronics manufacturing is a step in the right direction. If executed effectively, India stands a strong chance of achieving its $500 billion target by 2030.