India’s ambitions in electronics manufacturing may soon extend beyond assembly and component exports into the realm of fully homegrown smartphone brands with global appeal, according to Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. Speaking to ET NOW on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, the minister suggested the country is ready to produce devices that could rival global leaders like Apple.
Substantial Electronics Ecosystem in Place
Vaishnaw emphasised that India has developed a “very substantial” electronics manufacturing ecosystem capable of handling the complex, multi-stage processes involved in modern mobile production. This includes components, supply-chain capabilities, and manufacturing infrastructure that together form a foundation for domestic brands to emerge and scale, pushing India beyond its traditional role as a contract manufacturer for global companies.
He noted that both the government and industry have completed the extensive groundwork — from supply-chain coordination to infrastructure readiness — required to support such an evolution in the smartphone value chain. This preparation reflects a strategic shift toward building nationally branded devices, not just producing for others.
Timeline for a Homegrown Brand
When asked about how soon India might see its own globally recognised mobile brand — colloquially described as an “Indian Apple” — Vaishnaw replied that this could happen “very soon, maybe another one year from now or maybe a maximum of 18 months”. If realised, this would bring India fully into the league of countries that not only manufacture electronics at scale but also innovate and compete internationally with their own technology brands.
Strategic Significance
This announcement comes at a time when India has been aggressively expanding its electronics production base under policies like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and “Make in India” initiatives. These efforts have helped scale up domestic manufacturing, draw foreign investment, and foster deep integration across component categories such as displays, chips, batteries, and camera modules.
The minister’s statements suggest a deliberate move to leverage that momentum toward brand creation and design expertise, signalling a shift from passive manufacturing to active product development and market competition. A successful homegrown smartphone brand would mark a significant milestone in India’s technology ecosystem, potentially boosting exports, innovation, and high-value jobs in R&D and design.
Challenges and Outlook
While the minister’s confidence reflects progress, launching a competitive global smartphone brand remains a formidable challenge. It requires not only manufacturing excellence but also strong software ecosystems, brand recognition, after-sales support, and consumer trust — areas where established players currently dominate. However, the projected timeline suggests that stakeholders believe India can overcome these hurdles with coordinated effort and strategic investment.
