Eyeing to cut electronics imports fast, ICEA tells the PMO that the industry is developing 16 key products by 2026 to deepen localisation and boost exports.
India’s electronics industry has informed the Prime Minister’s Office that it is developing 16 products for domestic manufacturing by 2026, as part of a broader push to cut import dependence. These include 11 intermediate products and five finished goods.
According to a report by the Business Standard, the move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to the Centre and states to jointly identify 100 products that can be made locally. The aim is to reduce imports, strengthen economic resilience and advance the Viksit Bharat vision.
Addressing the Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries on December 28, 2025, the Prime Minister stressed the need for greater self-reliance. He also highlighted the importance of zero-defect manufacturing and low environmental impact.
In response, the Indian Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) has submitted a detailed note to the PMO. The letter was addressed to P K Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister. ICEA represents major electronics manufacturers and suppliers operating in India.
The industry’s plan focuses on reducing reliance on imports, especially from China. The priority areas include sub-assemblies, core components, supply-chain depth and capital equipment used in electronics manufacturing.
According to ICEA, localisation efforts are underway for mobile phone and IT hardware enclosures, display and camera modules, and advanced printed circuit boards. These include high-density interconnect, modified semi-additive process and flexible PCBs. The roadmap also covers lithium-ion cells for digital devices and a broader ecosystem of parts and sub-systems.
The initial focus is on replacing imports. Over time, the industry aims to shift towards exports.
Finished products are also part of the strategy. ICEA noted that smartphones were an early success. Until 2014-15, India depended on imports for nearly four-fifths of its smartphones. Today, over 99 per cent of smartphones sold in the country are made locally.
As a matter of fact, smartphone exports reached $24.1 billion in 2024-25. Building on this base, manufacturers are now targeting local production of laptops, tablets, hearables and wearables by 2026.
ICEA chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said the product list reflects industry-wide consensus and aligns with national policy goals.
The association estimates private investments of over ₹1.1 trillion. These could support production exceeding ₹10.34 trillion and create about 141,000 skilled jobs, supported by incentives under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).
