PLI Scheme Propels India’s Smartphone Exports to ₹1 Trillion in Record Time

India’s smartphone export sector has witnessed extraordinary growth, with exports exceeding ₹1 trillion within the first five months of the 2026 fiscal year. This represents a substantial 55% surge compared to the previous year’s corresponding period. This surge is largely attributed to the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has encouraged prominent global companies like Apple to relocate a significant portion of their manufacturing to India. Tata Electronics and Foxconn together contributed nearly ₹75,000 crore, accounting for almost three-quarters of total smartphone exports during this period. The PLI scheme has also spurred broader sectoral transformation and unprecedented expansion. Notably, India took the lead from China as the top smartphone exporter to the United States during the April–June quarter. Currently, 44% of U.S. smartphone imports are made in India, a significant increase from 13% a year prior. This change reflects a global trend of supply chain diversification, as manufacturers seek more economical and dependable options outside of China. The PLI scheme has fostered the growth of new supply chains, contributing to job creation and making the smartphone sector a key industrial and employment driver. Domestic companies are expanding their production capacity, while foreign giants have committed to further investment. The government is reviewing the PLI policy to ensure the continuation of these positive growth trends.