Electronic components PLI received over 50K cr proposals: Vaishnaw

Despite geopolitical challenges and high tariffs, India's electronics manufacturing is on a roll, and smartphone exports are set to hit a new record in FY26, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw tells Surajeet Das Gupta in an email interview.

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Edited excerpts: The last date for companies to apply for production-linked incentive (PLI) on electronic components, in which the government has earmarked ₹22,919 crore for incentives, ends on September 30. What has been the response so far?

Yes, we already have applications for more than 50,000 crore worth of investments in manufacturing electronic components. The momentum built by electronics manufacturing in the past 11 years is clearly reflected in this demand. Electronics manufacturing in India has grown six-fold, reaching a production value of ₹11.5 trillion, with exports of over 3 trillion, and generating direct and indirect employment for 2.5 million citizens.

Despite global challenges, India's smartphone exports touched $10 billion in the first four months of FY26. What is the estimate for the full year, compared to the $25 billion achieved in FY25?

Today, the world trusts India's electronics manufacturing capabilities.