The 2025 performance represents an 11-fold increase in electronics exports since 2014. This rapid acceleration is primarily attributed to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has transformed India into a massive assembly and manufacturing base for global giants.
The “iPhone Effect”: Leading the Charge
The smartphone segment was the primary engine of growth, contributing nearly $30 billion (roughly 64%) to the total electronics export value.
- Apple’s Dominance: iPhone exports from India alone crossed $23 billion (₹2.03 trillion) in 2025, an 85% jump from 2024. Apple now accounts for nearly half of India’s total electronics exports.
- Ecosystem Growth: Apple’s manufacturing footprint expanded to five assembly plants (three operated by Tata Group and two by Foxconn), supported by a supply chain of 45 local companies.
- Global Share: In 2025, approximately one in every four iPhones produced globally was “Made in India.”
Key Sector Statistics (2025)
| Metric | Value / Detail |
| Total Electronics Exports | $47 Billion (Record High) |
| Year-on-Year Growth | 37% |
| Smartphone Share | ~$30 Billion |
| iPhone Export Value | ~$23 Billion |
| Monthly Peak | December 2025 ($4.17 Billion) |
| Employment Impact | ~25 Lakh new jobs created |
Strategic Shift: From Assembly to Components
While finished smartphones (SKDs) led the 2025 numbers, the government is shifting focus for 2026 toward high-value components:
- Local Value Addition: Local value addition in smartphones rose to 19% in 2025. The new Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (SPECS 2.0) aims to push this to 30% by 2027.
- Semiconductor Push: Four major semiconductor fabrication and assembly plants are slated to begin commercial production in 2026, which is expected to further reduce import dependency for raw materials.
- Diversified Destinations: While the U.S. remains the top market (absorbing 78% of iPhone exports), India saw a 67% surge in electronics exports to China in December 2025, primarily in printed circuit boards and display modules.
Conclusion: Target $55 Billion
The government has set an ambitious target of $55 billion for electronics exports in 2026.As global players like Google (Pixel) and Samsung continue to scale their Indian operations alongside Apple, the sector is on track to rival traditional heavyweights like petroleum and engineering goods in India’s total trade basket.
