New Delhi — Apple could expand its manufacturing operations in India beyond iPhones, while three Indian smartphone companies could emerge as significant players over the next 10 to 14 months, Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Friday.
Asked whether Apple could manufacture products other than iPhones in India, Vaishnaw said “yes,” indicating that the technology giant could broaden its manufacturing and product ecosystem in the country.
The minister also said the government is working to encourage the development of Indian smartphone brands capable of competing across different market segments.
As part of that effort, three Indian companies have been asked to develop best-in-segment designs and identify the market categories where they believe they can compete most effectively, including economy, premium and super-premium smartphones.
Vaishnaw said the companies have expressed interest in focusing on the high-volume segment. However, the government will evaluate their intellectual property and design quality before extending support.
“At this point, I see three potential Indian smartphone players coming up in 10-14 months,” Vaishnaw said.
His comments come shortly after the government notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme, or MPMS, which is intended to strengthen domestic mobile phone production and support the development of Indian smartphone brands.
The program is divided into two segments. The first focuses on incentives for mobile phone manufacturing, while the second is designed specifically to support Indian mobile phone brands.
Companies applying under the second segment will receive a one-year gestation period to establish operations and meet eligibility requirements before becoming eligible for financial incentives.
Under the scheme, mobile phone manufacturers registered in India with annual revenue of at least Rs 10,000 crore in fiscal 2026 will be eligible to participate. Existing brands seeking incentives will be required to generate an additional Rs 5,000 crore in sales above their total fiscal 2026 sales during each year for which incentives are claimed.
Electronics manufacturing services companies must have fiscal 2026 revenue of at least Rs 1,000 crore to qualify.
The initiative is part of India’s broader effort to move beyond serving primarily as a manufacturing base for global technology companies and build a stronger domestic electronics industry that includes locally designed and branded smartphones. (Source: IANS)
