Govt weighs pvt sector exec to lead manufacturing push

The push comes at a time when manufacturing share of GDP has stood at 15-17% for years

- Manas Pimpalkhare & Rituraj Baruah

The Centre is weighing whether to appoint a private sector executive or a senior government official to lead the National Manufacturing Mission (NMM), a programme aimed at reviving India's stalling manufacturing growth.

One of the key conversations underway between the government policy think tank NITI Aayog and industry leaders is over the ideal profile of the NMM's chief—whether the mission would benefit more from bureaucratic experience or private-sector execution capability, two people aware of the matter said.

Announced in the Union budget for FY26, the mission is part of a broader push to reposition manufacturing and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as twin engines of economic growth. The mission aims to not just boost industrial output but also reduce import dependence, support green manufacturing, and improve ease of doing business for small and mid-sized firms.

The finance minister's announcement did not detail the implementation roadmap or total outlay for the mission, which are being worked out.

Another issue under discussion is the mission's governance structure—specifically, whether it will include regulatory oversight to track the progress of participating firms.