India doesn’t just import electronics-it builds them. From smartphones to solar inverters, the country’s manufacturing base has grown fast over the last five years. If you think India only assembles foreign designs, you’re missing the bigger picture. Today, over 90% of smartphones sold in India are made here. That’s not just assembly-it’s full-scale production with local supply chains, engineering teams, and testing labs.
Smartphones: The Big Success Story
India is now the second-largest smartphone producer in the world, after China. Companies like Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, and OnePlus all have factories here. But it’s not just foreign brands. Indian companies like Lava, Micromax, and Karbonn started here and still make phones locally, even if they’ve shrunk in market share.
What’s inside those phones? Batteries, screens, cameras, and printed circuit boards (PCBs) are increasingly made in India. For example, Dixon Technologies, based in Noida, builds over 100 million phones a year for global brands. They don’t just screw parts together-they test signal strength, calibrate sensors, and run software updates on every device. Samsung’s Noida plant alone produces 120 million units annually, with 70% exported to Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Consumer Electronics: Beyond Phones
TVs, air conditioners, and washing machines are now largely made in India. LG, Samsung, and Godrej all have large manufacturing plants in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. In 2024, India produced over 45 million TVs locally-up from just 12 million in 2019.
Even niche products like smart speakers, fitness bands, and Wi-Fi routers are being designed and built here. Companies like BoAt and Noise started as importers but now design their own hardware and manufacture it in India. BoAt’s latest wireless earbuds use custom Bluetooth chips and battery packs made in Gujarat. Their R&D team in Bengaluru works directly with component suppliers to tweak firmware and reduce power use.
Industrial and Infrastructure Electronics
Most people don’t think of India making industrial electronics-but they do. Solar inverters, smart meters, and grid controllers are now locally produced to support India’s push for renewable energy. In 2023, India manufactured over 8 million solar inverters, up from 2 million in 2020. Companies like Loom Solar and Waaree Energies design and build these in-house, using locally sourced semiconductors and capacitors.
Smart meters for electricity distribution are another growing category. State electricity boards now require all new meters to be made in India under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. These meters aren’t just simple devices-they include communication modules, tamper sensors, and remote billing software, all developed by Indian engineers.
Automotive Electronics: The Hidden Engine
Electric vehicles (EVs) are booming in India, and so is the electronics that powers them. Battery management systems (BMS), motor controllers, and onboard chargers are now being made locally. Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Ola Electric all source these components from Indian suppliers like Exide, Amara Raja, and L&T Electronics.
Ola Electric’s S1 Pro scooter uses a BMS designed in Bengaluru and manufactured in Tamil Nadu. The system monitors cell temperature, balances voltage across 120 battery cells, and communicates with the rider’s app. This isn’t imported tech-it’s built for Indian roads, heat, and charging habits.
Medical and Healthcare Electronics
India manufactures over 60% of its own medical electronics. Pulse oximeters, ECG machines, glucometers, and portable ventilators are now made in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana. During the pandemic, Indian companies like Dr. Morepen and Trivitron scaled up production fast. Today, they export these devices to Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Even advanced devices like portable ultrasound machines are being built here. SonoScape, an Indian firm, now designs and assembles its own handheld ultrasound units in Hyderabad. The software runs on Android tablets with custom algorithms trained on Indian patient data.
What’s Still Imported?
Not everything is made in India yet. High-end chips, advanced sensors, and specialized memory chips still come from Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. The country doesn’t make its own 5nm processors or DRAM chips. But that’s changing. The government is investing billions in semiconductor fabrication plants. A new facility in Gujarat, backed by Vedanta and Foxconn, will start producing display drivers and power chips by 2026.
Right now, India imports about $12 billion worth of electronic components each year. But that number is falling as local production rises. In 2024, electronics exports hit $32 billion-up from $8 billion in 2019. The goal is $300 billion by 2030.
Why This Matters
When India makes its own electronics, it’s not just about jobs. It’s about control. Local production means faster repairs, better after-sales service, and custom features for Indian users. A phone made here can be tuned for Hindi voice commands. A smart meter can handle India’s unstable voltage. A solar inverter can work during monsoon humidity.
It also reduces reliance on global supply chains. When shipping delays hit in 2021, Indian manufacturers kept producing because their parts came from nearby factories in Pune, Chennai, and Ludhiana-not from halfway across the world.
What’s Next?
The next wave of Indian-made electronics will focus on AI-powered devices, edge computing modules, and IoT sensors for agriculture and logistics. Startups like SigTuple (AI diagnostics) and Stellapps (dairy IoT) are already designing hardware that runs on low-power chips made locally.
The government’s PLI scheme has already triggered $12 billion in investments. More factories are coming. By 2027, India could be making over 70% of the electronics it consumes-up from 40% today. The country isn’t just catching up. It’s becoming a hub for electronics that work for its people, in its environment, at its price point.
Are smartphones made in India really Indian?
Yes, but with context. Most smartphones sold in India are assembled here, and increasingly, key parts like batteries, screens, and circuit boards are made locally too. Companies like Dixon Technologies and Pegatron operate full production lines with Indian engineers designing firmware and testing performance. While some chips and sensors are still imported, the final product is engineered and built in India for Indian conditions.
What electronics does India export?
India exports smartphones, TVs, medical devices, solar inverters, and automotive electronics. Major export markets include the U.S., Germany, the U.K., Kenya, and Vietnam. In 2024, smartphone exports hit $18 billion, and medical electronics exports grew by 45% year-over-year. Products are often branded under global names but made in Indian factories under strict quality controls.
Is India making its own chips?
Not yet at the high-end level, but it’s coming. India doesn’t produce 5nm or 7nm processors yet. However, it does make display drivers, power management chips, and sensor ICs. A new semiconductor plant in Gujarat, backed by Vedanta and Foxconn, is set to start producing basic chips by 2026. This will reduce reliance on imports for everyday electronics like TVs and smart meters.
How has the government helped electronics manufacturing?
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme offers companies cash rewards based on how much they produce and export. For electronics, the government pledged $10 billion in incentives over five years. This led to over $12 billion in private investment. Factories that make phones, TVs, and laptops now get 4%-6% of their sales back as cash incentives if they meet export targets. It’s not a subsidy-it’s a performance-based reward.
Can India compete with China in electronics?
Not in volume yet, but India is winning in niche areas. China still makes more devices overall, but India is faster at adapting products for local needs. Indian-made phones have better battery life in hot climates. Solar inverters handle voltage swings better. Medical devices are built for rural power outages. India’s advantage isn’t scale-it’s relevance. The country is becoming the go-to place for electronics designed for emerging markets.
If you’re looking to buy electronics, support local manufacturing, or even start a business in this space, the message is clear: India isn’t just assembling gadgets-it’s building the future of electronics for the next billion users.