‘Made in India’ laptops after smartphones? Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched Syrma SGS’s laptop assembly line in Chennai, with plans for 1 million laptops annually.
On Saturday, an advanced laptop assembly line of Syrma SGS Technology was inaugurated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Chennai. This facility, located within the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), marks a major milestone in the country’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, expanding the focus from mobile phones to IT hardware, particularly laptops.
The new assembly line will initially produce 100,000 laptops annually, with plans to scale production to 1 million units within the next one to two years. Syrma SGS, which operates four manufacturing units in Chennai, will begin laptop production at its Unit 3.
The facility’s global partnership with Taiwanese technology leader Micro-Star International (MSI) will help produce laptops for both the domestic and international markets. The project is expected to create 150-200 specialised jobs in electronics manufacturing by FY26.
According to a government press release, the laptops manufactured will meet international quality standards, showcasing India’s manufacturing prowess.This initiative also aligns with the government’s PLI 2.0 scheme for IT hardware, underscoring India’s increasing capacity for high-value electronics manufacturing.
Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw emphasised the importance of developing India’s electronic component ecosystem, which he believes will be crucial to the nation’s growth and self-reliance, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
“We must work meticulously to ensure that the electronic component ecosystem is also developed in the coming time,” he said.
At the same time, he announced on his official X handle, “After smartphones, now it’s time for ‘Made in India’ laptops.”
India’s electronics manufacturing sector has seen remarkable growth, with total production rising from ₹2.4 trillion in 2014 to ₹9.8 trillion in 2024. Mobile manufacturing alone has reached ₹4.4 trillion, with exports of ₹1.5 trillion in 2024.
In this journey, Tamil Nadu plays a crucial role in this success, hosting over 47 manufacturing units and receiving significant support through schemes like the PLI and SPECS, which have helped generate ₹1.3 trillion in production to date.
The PLI 2.0 scheme for IT hardware, launched in May 2023, offers a 5% incentive to eligible companies. With a ₹30 billion investment, the scheme is expected to generate 47,000 jobs and drive production worth ₹3.5 trillion, further cementing India’s place in the global IT hardware manufacturing ecosystem.
