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India’s Manufacturing Sector: A Path to Transformation

India is at a pivotal point in its manufacturing evolution, aiming to increase the sector’s GDP contribution from 15% to 25% through targeted regulatory reforms. The implementation of the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024, which enforces mandatory safety standards for machinery and electrical equipment, marks a significant step toward standardizing product quality.

This initiative enhances global competitiveness and fosters a strong industrial growth ecosystem. It reflects India’s dedication to developing a manufacturing sector that is innovative, sustainable, and capable of competing on the global stage.

Current Status of India’s Manufacturing Sector

• Overview:
  Manufacturing is becoming a key pillar of India’s economic growth, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Before the pandemic, the sector accounted for 16–17% of India’s GDP, employing 27.3 million workers. The government aims to increase this share to 25% by 2025, with a vision to add over US$ 500 billion annually to the global economy by 2030, solidifying India’s role in the global supply chain.
• Sectoral Growth and Performance:
  India’s manufacturing sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, fuelled by rising output, exports, and domestic demand. The HSBC Manufacturing PMI hit a 16-year high of 59.1 in March 2024, signalling strong expansion in production, new orders, and employment. Manufacturing exports reached a record US$ 447.46 billion in FY23, growing 6.03% compared to FY22.
• Investment and Employment Trends:
  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in manufacturing has seen a substantial rise, totalling US$ 165.1 billion, a 69% increase over the past decade. Employment in the sector has also grown steadily, rising from 5.7 crore in 2017–18 to 6.24 crore in 2019–20, with further job creation expected through Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.

Key Growth Drivers of India’s Manufacturing Sector

1. Government Initiatives and Policy Reforms:
   The government has introduced landmark initiatives like “Make in India” and “Gati Shakti” to enhance manufacturing competitiveness and infrastructure.
   The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme spans 14 sectors, aiming to generate $500 billion in manufacturing output.
   Additionally, the manufacturing sector attracted USD 21.34 billion in investments in FY22, reflecting the success of these policies.
2. Rising Domestic Demand:
   India’s expanding middle class, rapid urbanization, and increasing disposable incomes are driving demand for automobiles, electronics, and consumer goods.
   For instance, the domestic electronics market is projected to reach $400 billion by 2025, fueled by smartphone and appliance sales.
   The automotive sector also saw significant growth in 2023, supported by EV incentives under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme.
3. Strategic Trade Agreements and Export Growth:
   India’s focus on trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE and ongoing negotiations with the EU and UK, is opening new export markets.
   Exports grew by 6% to $447 billion in FY23, with the India-UAE CEPA projected to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.
4. Technological Advancements and Industry 4.0:
   The adoption of automation, IoT, AI, and robotics is transforming Indian manufacturing into a high-value, technology-driven sector.
   By 2025, more than two-thirds of Indian manufacturers are expected to embrace **Industry 4.0

India’s Manufacturing Sector Lags Behind Global Standards

1. Weak Infrastructure and Logistics Bottlenecks:
   India’s manufacturing sector faces challenges from inadequate infrastructure and inefficient logistics, which increase costs and reduce competitiveness.

Logistics costs in India constitute 14-18% of GDP, compared to 8-10% in developed economies.

Despite initiatives like Gati Shakti, India ranked 38th on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023, highlighting persistent issues like power outages and weak transport networks.

2. Policy Inconsistencies and Bureaucratic Hurdles:
   Frequent changes in trade and taxation policies, coupled with complex regulatory requirements, deter investments and delay projects.

India ranks 63rd in the Ease of Doing Business Index (2020), with contract enforcement (ranked 163rd) and land acquisition delays among the key challenges.

For example, the proposed POSCO steel plant project in Odisha faced prolonged delays due to regulatory and land acquisition hurdles, ultimately leading to its suspension.

3. Labour Market Challenges:
   India’s manufacturing sector is burdened by an inflexible labor market, dominated by informal workers and inefficiencies in implementing labor reforms.

The proportion of contract workers in formal manufacturing rose from 23.1% in 2002-03 to 40.2% in 2021-22.

For instance, in October 2024, over 1,000 workers at Samsung Electronics’ Tamil Nadu plant protested for higher wages and union recognition, reflecting labor unrest.

4. Inadequate R&D and Technology Adoption:
   Low investments in research and development (R&D) and outdated technologies hinder innovation and value addition in manufacturing.

India’s R&D expenditure is 0.7% of GDP, significantly lower than South Korea (4.8%) and China (2.4%).

India’s reliance on Chinese imports for lithium-ion batteries underscores its lack of local research in alternatives like solid-state or sodium-ion batteries.

5. Import Dependence for Key Inputs:
   India’s heavy reliance on imported raw materials and components increases vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions, raising production costs.

In FY23-24, India’s trade deficit with China reached $85 billion, driven by dependence on semiconductors and electronics imports.

This dependency undermines self-reliance initiatives like “Make in India”.

6. Global Trade Integration Deficiencies:
   Limited integration into global value chains (GVCs) and a protectionist trade stance restrict India’s ability to compete internationally.

India’s share in global merchandise exports is just 1.8%, compared to China’s 14.7%.

India’s decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2021 limited its access to key markets and supply chains.

7. Competition from Emerging Markets:
   Countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh offer more favorable business environments, attracting industries relocating from China.

Bangladesh’s garment exports surged by 92% to $47 billion in 2023, though recent political unrest has caused a temporary decline. India, however, has yet to fully capitalize on this opportunity.

8. Digital and Skill Gaps:
   The lack of digital infrastructure and skilled manpower hinders the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques.

The India Skills Report 2023 found that only 48.7% of India’s workforce is employable, highlighting gaps in training and skill development.

While India’s rank in the Global Innovation Index improved to 40th in 2023, tech adoption among SMEs remains low.

9. Fragmented MSME Sector:
   India’s manufacturing sector is dominated by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that face limited access to credit, technology, and export markets.

Of India’s 64 million MSMEs, only 14% have access to formal credit.

Initiatives like the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) have provided partial relief but fail to address the sector’s broader challenges comprehensively.

Measures to Elevate India’s Manufacturing Sector to Global Standards

1. Enhance Infrastructure and Reduce Logistics Costs:

• Accelerate investments in multi-modal transport systems, port connectivity, and freight corridors under the Gati Shakti initiative.
• Improve supply chain efficiency by reducing freight costs through strengthening the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, with potential savings of up to 25%.
• Expand port capacity and automation at major ports, such as the modernized JNPT terminal, to enhance operational efficiency.
• Establish “Component Manufacturing Clusters” in key industrial regions to boost local sourcing and reduce import dependency.

2. Simplify Regulatory Frameworks:

• Streamline labor laws, land acquisition processes, and environmental clearances to reduce compliance costs and attract foreign investments.
• Implement a unified single-window clearance system for faster approvals of manufacturing projects.
• Digitize approval processes for MSMEs to promote ease of doing business at the grassroots level.

3. Promote Research and Development (R&D):

• Encourage increased public and private sector investments in R&D through tax breaks and subsidies.
• Foster industry-academia collaboration by creating R&D ecosystems similar to Tesla’s Gigafactories.
• Launch a “Manufacturing Innovation Fund” to finance research in advanced materials, AI-driven production, and semiconductors.

4. Boost Technology Adoption and Industry 4.0:

• Promote automation, robotics, IoT, and AI adoption in manufacturing to enhance productivity and product quality.
• Introduce subsidized technology adoption schemes for MSMEs to democratize access to advanced tools.
• Expand the PLI scheme to incentivize companies adopting Industry 4.0 practices, such as offering tax credits for investing in IoT-enabled machinery.

5. Integrate into Global Value Chains (GVCs):

• Negotiate trade agreements to align India’s manufacturing with global supply chains in electronics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
• Strengthen export infrastructure by establishing Export Processing Zones (EPZs) near ports with tax exemptions and streamlined approvals.
• Leverage agreements like the India-UAE CEPA to boost Indian goods’ presence in the Middle East and Africa.
• Create a “Critical Input Reserve” for essential resources like semiconductors and rare earth metals to mitigate supply chain disruptions.

6. Develop Sector-Specific Strategies:

• Focus on high-potential industries like electronics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and defense manufacturing.
• Scale up the Semiconductor Mission through strategic partnerships (e.g., Foxconn) to develop a robust domestic ecosystem.
• Expand the FAME-II scheme to include incentives for EV battery manufacturing and advanced automotive technologies.
• Promote initiatives like Mega Food Parks and Textile Clusters to enhance sectoral output.

7. Strengthen MSMEs with Technology and Credit Access:

• Provide affordable financing and technology adoption support to MSMEs, which form the backbone of Indian manufacturing.
• Leverage e-commerce platforms to connect MSMEs with global markets and boost export opportunities.

8. Focus on Skill Development:

• Align skill development programs with the needs of advanced manufacturing technologies and global production standards.
• Integrate specialized training modules into programs like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
• Establish Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in collaboration with global tech firms for advanced skill development.

9. Encourage Green-Sustainable-Circular Manufacturing:

• Promote renewable energy adoption and carbon footprint reduction in manufacturing industries.
• Expand the National Hydrogen Mission to decarbonize energy-intensive sectors like steel and cement.
• Expedite the issuance of green bonds to finance sustainable manufacturing practices.
• Implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks in sectors like electronics and automobiles to promote recycling and waste reduction.

India’s manufacturing sector holds immense potential to accelerate economic growth, foster job creation, and enhance global competitiveness. However, to fully realize these potential, critical challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent policies, and limited technological advancement must be addressed. Government initiatives like the PLI scheme, National Manufacturing Policy, and green manufacturing efforts have laid the groundwork for sustainable and inclusive growth, but further targeted measures are necessary to bridge existing gaps.

The End of the Blog: India’s Manufacturing Sector: A Path to Transformation