New Delhi. Taking another big step towards self-reliance in India’s electronics manufacturing sector, the Central Government has approved seven new projects under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav gave this information on Monday. The minister said that the government had received a total of 249 proposals under this scheme, out of which 7 proposals have been approved in the initial phase. These projects include proposals to the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) i.e. motherboard bases, camera modules, copper laminates and polypropylene films (which are used in capacitors and consumer electronics).

Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said that a total investment of ₹5,532 crore will be made in these seven projects. This is likely to provide direct employment to about 5,195 people. He said the government has so far received investment proposals worth ₹1.15 lakh crore, indicating the growing electronics manufacturing capabilities in the country.

This initiative of the government will further strengthen the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaigns. Under this scheme, emphasis is being laid on increasing domestic production of electronics components in the country, reducing dependence on imports, and establishing India as a global manufacturing centre. Ashwini Vaishnav said that India is fast becoming an electronics production hub. From mobile phones to semiconductors and now components manufacturing, India aims to be a leader in electronics exports in the coming years.

The application process for the first phase of the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) ended on September 30, while the application window for Capital Equipment is still open. The government says that many more important projects are likely to be approved in the second phase of this scheme, which will further strengthen the country’s participation in the electronics supply chain.

India’s electronics production has increased almost four times in the last ten years. It has increased from ₹2.4 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹9.8 lakh crore in 2024. Mobile phone manufacturing alone has reached the level of ₹4.4 lakh crore, which includes exports of ₹1.5 lakh crore. The government says that in the coming years, India will become a major center in the world in the production of not only mobiles but also chips, components and high-tech electronic equipment.