India’s mobile phone exports jump 11,950% To $24.1 billion backed by rising domestic value addition hits: CDS Study

To sustain this momentum, the study calls for continued focus on scale, liberal trade policies, rationalisation of tariffs, and targeted investments in logistics and ecosystem development.

India’s mobile phone exports have soared by a staggering 11,950% in just seven years — from a mere $0.2 billion in 2017-18 to $24.1 billion in 2024-25, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s manufacturing landscape, according to a new study by the Centre for Development Studies (CDS).

Alongside thisexport boom, domestic value addition in mobile production has risen sharply to 23%, reflecting a deeper integration of local industry into the global supply chain.

The study, led by Prof. C. Veeramani of CDS and RBI Chair Professor, highlights how sustained government interventions — especially the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme launched in 2020 — have helped India transition from an import-heavy mobile market into the world’s third-largest mobile phone exporter.

The 11,950% growth in exports is not just a number, but a signal of structural change. For the first time, exports are now outpacing domestic consumption as the primary driver of production growth in India’s mobile sector.

Crucially, the growth is not limited to exports alone. The study found that total domestic value addition — including both direct manufacturing and supporting industries — climbed to more than $10 billion in 2022-23, accounting for 23% of the sector’s total output.

Direct domestic value addition jumped from $1.2 billion (2016-19) to $4.6 billion (2019-23), while indirect value addition — driven by local suppliers and service providers — grew over sixfold from $470 million to $3.3 billion during the same period.

“This surge in value addition signals a maturing ecosystem, where Indian firms are not just assembling but also contributing meaningfully to the production process,” said Prof. Veeramani.

The study also reported significant gains in employment and wages. Jobs associated with mobile phone manufacturing exceeded 17 lakh in 2022-23, while export-linked employment grew 33 times. Wage levels in export-oriented roles saw notable improvement, indicating broader economic benefits.

To sustain this momentum, the study calls for continued focus on scale, liberal trade policies, rationalisation of tariffs, and targeted investments in logistics and ecosystem development.

ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said the findings reaffirm the industry’s belief that integrating into global value chains is key to scaling exports and strengthening domestic capabilities.

With exports booming and local value addition deepening, India’s mobile manufacturing sector is now seen as a template for replicating similar success across the broader electronics ecosystem.