What is Make in India?

Make in India is a flagship initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 September 2014 to transform India into a global manufacturing hub and a key destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). The initiative aims to boost the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% (from ~15-16%), create 100 million additional manufacturing jobs by 2025, and position India as a leading manufacturing destination in the global supply chain.

The programme initially focused on 25 sectors (later expanded to 27 sectors) spanning manufacturing and services, including automobiles, aviation, biotechnology, chemicals, defence manufacturing, electronics, food processing, IT/BPM, mining, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, railways, renewable energy, space, textiles, and tourism. The initiative is anchored in four pillars: New Processes (ease of doing business), New Infrastructure (industrial corridors, smart cities, logistics), New Sectors (opening defence, railways, insurance to FDI), and New Mindset (government as facilitator, not regulator).

Make in India 2.0 was launched in 2019 with a sharper focus on 27 sectors and deeper integration with schemes like PLI (Production Linked Incentive), Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the National Manufacturing Mission (announced in Budget 2025-26).

Key Features

# Feature Details
1 Launched 25 September 2014 by PM Modi
2 Objective Boost manufacturing share to 25% of GDP; create 100 million jobs
3 Sectors 27 sectors (manufacturing + services)
4 Four Pillars New Processes, New Infrastructure, New Sectors, New Mindset
5 Nodal Ministry DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
6 FDI Reforms Automatic route expanded; FDI caps raised in defence (74%), insurance (74%)
7 Linked Schemes PLI, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, National Manufacturing Mission
8 Symbol Lion made of cogs and wheels -- representing manufacturing strength

Current Status / Latest Data

  • FDI inflows FY2024-25: Total FDI of $81 billion; manufacturing FDI rose 18% YoY to $19.04 billion (from $16.12 billion in FY2023-24).
  • Cumulative FDI (2014-2024): FDI equity inflows into manufacturing rose 69% to $165.1 billion (vs $97.7 billion in 2004-14).
  • Mobile manufacturing: Production surged from Rs 18,000 crore (FY2014-15) to Rs 5.45 lakh crore (FY2024-25) -- a 28-fold rise. 99% of mobile phones sold in India are now domestically produced. Mobile exports rose 8x from Rs 228.7 billion to Rs 2 trillion.
  • Manufacturing share in GDP: Declined from 16.7% (FY2013-14) to 15.9% (FY2023-24) -- falling short of the 25% target.
  • National Manufacturing Mission (Budget 2025-26): Focuses on 5 key areas -- ease of doing business, future-ready workforce, vibrant MSMEs, technology access, quality manufacturing.
  • Semiconductor push: 10 semiconductor projects approved across 6 states with investments of Rs 1.60 lakh crore; 4 major units (Tata Electronics, Micron, CG Power, Kaynes) to begin commercial production in 2026.
  • India's manufacturing PMI: Consistently above 50 (expansion zone) throughout 2025, indicating sustained manufacturing momentum.

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Make in India launched on 25 September 2014; covers 27 sectors
  • Four pillars: New Processes, New Infrastructure, New Sectors, New Mindset
  • Mobile phone production rose 28-fold from FY2014-15 to FY2024-25
  • Manufacturing FDI rose 18% YoY in FY2024-25 to $19.04 billion
  • Manufacturing share in GDP remains ~15.9% (below 25% target)
  • National Manufacturing Mission announced in Budget 2025-26

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. Despite a decade of Make in India, manufacturing's share in GDP has not improved. Critically evaluate the initiative's outcomes and challenges
  2. Analyse the role of PLI schemes and FDI liberalisation in strengthening Make in India's objectives
  3. How can India leverage its demographic dividend and the China+1 strategy to become a global manufacturing hub?
  4. Evaluate the significance of the semiconductor manufacturing push under Make in India for India's strategic and economic autonomy

Sources: IBEF - Manufacturing Sector India, IBEF - FDI Data, India Briefing - Manufacturing Tracker 2024-25