India Seeks Innovation Ecosystem to Boost Electronics Exports

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced that India must develop a comprehensive innovation ecosystem parallel to its manufacturing base to transition from a net importer to a net exporter of electronics. Speaking at the Chintan Shivir 2026 on Electronics Export Vision, Agrawal stated that future growth depends on creating new products rather than solely producing them to move up the global value chain.

This strategy complements the Government of India's existing Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, electronics manufacturing grew from Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 11.32 lakh crore in 2024-25, while exports increased eight-fold to Rs 3.26 lakh crore during the same period.

To support these goals, the government continues to utilize Production Linked Incentive schemes and the Semicon India Programme. These efforts include the approval of 10 semiconductor units representing a total investment of Rs 1.6 lakh crore.