India achieves mobile phone manufacturing milestone
13 March 2024: India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), an apex industry body for the mobile and electronics industry comprising manufacturers, brand owners, technology providers, VAS application & solution providers, distributors, and retail chains of mobile handsets and electronics, has stated that India has emerged as the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer, based upon a noteworthy rise in both, production and exports. This remarkable achievement has led to the country now being considered as a global leader in electronics.
News reports have mentioned that this accomplishment is the result of ten years of sustained efforts and strategic planning according to ICEA. A production of 2.45 billion units of mobile phones valued at Rs.4.1 lakh crore over the past ten years, marks a substantial increase from the Rs.18,900 crore worth of mobile phones produced in 2014-15.
News reports have conveyed ICEA as having pointed out that the sector has been transformed from being 78% dependent on imports in 2014 to achieving 97% self-sufficiency in 2024, with only 3% of the mobile phones sold in the country being imported.
This transformation underscores India’s local manufacturing capabilities and reduced reliance on foreign imports for mobile phones. The initial target for the industry was ambitious, aiming for Rs.20 lakh crore in cumulative production over the decade. The actual figures came remarkably close, with a total production value of Rs.19.45 lakh crore. Starting from Rs.1,556 crore in 2014-15, the industry is expected to close FY24 with an estimated export value of Rs.1.2 lakh crore.
ICEA is committed to carrying forward its vision of building Indian manufacturing and design in verticals other than mobile handsets while consolidating the gains made in the mobile handset and components industry. It is entirely devoted to improving the competitiveness and growth of the industry by closely working with the Government’s ministries to create a robust, legal, and ethical electronics industry, thereby creating an innovative market environment in the country.
