New Delhi,25th July 2025: In just a decade, India has transformed its image from a major importer of mobile phones to a leading exporter. In 2024, India exported mobile phones worth Dolar 20.5 billion ( Rs1.7 lakh crore), making it the third-largest mobile exporter in the world.
This remarkable shift gained momentum following the introduction of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which accelerated domestic manufacturing in the mobile sector.
According to a study by CDS Director Prof. C. Veeramani, India’s mobile exports began rising steadily after 2017. Back in 2014–15, the country was heavily dependent on mobile imports. But by 2017, mobile exports had reached only $200 million. Fast forward to 2024–25, and exports have surged by 11,950 Percent, crossing Dolar 24.1 billion.
For the first time ever, India’s mobile exports have exceeded domestic sales. Since 2018–19, India has consistently remained a net exporter of mobile phones.
With the development of a strong mobile manufacturing ecosystem in the country, this boom in exports has also created significant employment opportunities. According to ASI (Annual Survey of Industries) data, more than 17 lakh people were employed in this sector during 2022–23.
As a result, export-based employment in mobile manufacturing has seen a 33%+ growth, indicating that the industry is not only contributing to foreign exchange but also to job creation.