India Export Value Calculator
Compare Export Values
India doesn’t export cars, or steel, or even tea anymore as its top money-maker. The biggest export from India today isn’t what most people expect. It’s not diamonds. It’s not cotton. It’s not even software services. The real leader? Electronics.
Back in 2015, India exported just $12 billion worth of electronics. Five years later, that number jumped to $50 billion. By 2025, it hit $110 billion. That’s more than twice the value of India’s next biggest export-pharmaceuticals-and nearly triple the value of gems and jewelry. This isn’t a slow climb. It’s a full-blown transformation.
How India Became a Global Electronics Hub
It didn’t happen overnight. Ten years ago, India was still known for importing smartphones, laptops, and TVs. Most devices sold in India were made in China, Vietnam, or South Korea. But then came policy changes. The government launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in 2020, offering cash rewards to companies that made more electronics locally. The rules were simple: if you manufacture smartphones in India and export them, you get 4% to 6% of your sales back as a cash incentive.
Companies took notice. Apple’s suppliers-Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron-built massive factories in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. Samsung expanded its Noida plant into the world’s largest mobile phone factory. Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Realme shifted most of their production from China to India. By 2024, over 90% of smartphones sold in India were made there. And a big chunk of those got shipped overseas.
What Exactly Is Being Exported?
When people say “electronics,” they’re not just talking about phones. India now exports:
- Smartphones (over 70% of total electronics exports)
- Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Laptops and tablets
- Telecom equipment like 5G routers and base stations
- Consumer electronics such as smartwatches, headphones, and power banks
India’s biggest export customer? The United States. In 2025, the U.S. imported $38 billion worth of Indian-made electronics. That’s more than what the U.S. imported from Vietnam, Thailand, and Mexico combined. The next biggest buyers? The Netherlands, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. Many of these devices end up in Europe and Africa under brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google.
Why Electronics Outpaces Pharmaceuticals
For years, India’s pharmaceutical industry was the crown jewel of exports. In 2020, it accounted for nearly $25 billion. Today, it’s around $24 billion. Why the drop? Because the global market for generic drugs is slowing. Countries like the U.S. and EU are pushing for local production. Meanwhile, India’s electronics sector is growing at 25% per year. That’s not just growth-it’s acceleration.
Also, electronics have higher value per unit. A single smartphone can be worth $300 to $800. A bottle of medicine? Maybe $5. So even if you ship fewer units, the total value skyrockets.
The Hidden Engine Behind the Boom
What made this possible? It’s not just government incentives. It’s the supply chain. India now has over 400 local suppliers making everything from batteries to camera modules. Companies like Dixon Technologies and Lava have become key players in assembling components. Even small towns like Tiruppur and Saharanpur now have factories making PCBs and connectors.
And labor? India has a massive workforce trained in electronics assembly. Workers in Tamil Nadu can assemble a smartphone in under 12 minutes. That speed, combined with lower wages than China, makes India the cheapest place to build mid-range electronics today.
What’s Next? The Road to $300 Billion
The Indian government has set a target: $300 billion in electronics exports by 2026. That’s not fantasy. It’s already on track. New factories are being announced every month. Apple is planning to export iPhones made in India to Europe and the Middle East. Intel is building a chip packaging plant in Gujarat. And startups are designing India’s first homegrown semiconductors.
By 2027, India could be the world’s second-largest electronics exporter after China. That’s not a guess-it’s what the World Bank and McKinsey both predict based on current trends.
What This Means for the Global Market
India’s rise in electronics isn’t just good for its economy. It’s changing how the world makes gadgets. Companies that once relied on China are now using India as a backup-and sometimes their main source. When a factory in China shuts down due to labor strikes or trade restrictions, manufacturers now have a reliable alternative in India.
It’s also pushing prices down. More competition means better deals for consumers. A $200 smartphone made in India costs less than the same model made in Vietnam. That’s why brands like Google and Amazon are shifting more of their budget to Indian suppliers.
Challenges Still Remain
But it’s not all smooth sailing. India still imports over 80% of its high-end chips. Most advanced components-like processors and memory-come from Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. Without local chipmaking, India’s electronics industry remains vulnerable to global supply shocks.
Also, infrastructure is uneven. Power cuts still happen in some manufacturing zones. Logistics costs are higher than in China. And while the government gives cash incentives, tax rules are still confusing for foreign investors.
Still, the momentum is real. Every year, more companies commit to India. Every year, more workers get trained. Every year, the export numbers climb higher.
What About Other Big Exports?
Just to be clear: India still exports a lot of other things.
- Pharmaceuticals: $24 billion in 2025-still huge, but falling behind electronics.
- Gems and Jewelry: $18 billion, mostly diamonds cut and polished in Surat.
- Textiles: $16 billion, including cotton fabrics and ready-made garments.
- Organic chemicals: $14 billion, used in medicines and dyes.
But none of these come close to electronics. Not even close. And the gap is growing.
Why This Matters to You
If you buy a smartphone, laptop, or smartwatch made after 2022, there’s a good chance it was assembled in India-even if the brand is American or Korean. That’s the new reality. India isn’t just a market anymore. It’s a factory. And it’s now the world’s most important one for mid-range electronics.
This shift means jobs, innovation, and economic power are moving to India. It also means global supply chains are becoming more balanced. No single country controls production anymore. And that’s good for everyone.
Is India’s biggest export really electronics?
Yes. In 2025, India exported $110 billion worth of electronics, surpassing pharmaceuticals ($24 billion), gems and jewelry ($18 billion), and textiles ($16 billion). Smartphones make up the majority of this, with over 70% of electronics exports being mobile devices.
When did India become the top electronics exporter?
India overtook pharmaceuticals as its top export in 2023. The turning point was the 2020 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which gave cash rewards to companies manufacturing electronics locally. By 2022, exports hit $50 billion, and by 2025, they crossed $110 billion.
Which countries buy the most electronics from India?
The United States is the largest buyer, importing $38 billion in 2025. The Netherlands, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates are next. Many of these devices are rebranded and sold under Apple, Samsung, and Google labels in Europe and Africa.
Why are smartphones India’s top electronics export?
Smartphones have high value per unit and are easy to assemble with India’s labor force. Companies like Apple and Samsung moved production to India to avoid tariffs, cut costs, and meet local demand. Over 90% of phones sold in India are now made there-and a large portion gets exported.
Can India make its own chips yet?
Not yet at scale. India still imports over 80% of its advanced semiconductors from Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. But new investments are coming. Intel is building a chip packaging plant in Gujarat, and startups are developing India’s first homegrown processors. Full chipmaking is still years away, but progress is accelerating.
