India Targets Full Indigenisation with Planned ‘Made-in-India’ Smartphone by 2028
New Delhi: In a bold move to cement its position as a global manufacturing powerhouse, India has set its sights on creating a smartphone that is 100% domestically produced. Government sources have confirmed that a high-priority initiative is currently underway, involving a collaboration between multiple Indian companies and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The ambitious goal is to have a fully indigenous device ready for the market by the end of 2028.
Beyond Assembly: The Goal of True Indigenisation
While India has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second-largest manufacturer of smartphones, much of this success has been characterized by the assembly of components imported from abroad. Giants like Apple and Samsung operate massive manufacturing units within Indian borders; however, these devices rely heavily on global supply chains for critical hardware and core technology.
The government’s new project aims to move past the “assembly-only” model. The objective is to establish an ecosystem where every element—from the design architecture to the complex internal components—is engineered and manufactured entirely within India.
A Multi-Phased Economic Strategy
The government has adopted a structured three-pillar approach to transform the nation’s electronics landscape. The initial phase involved identifying and producing components that were previously dependent on Chinese imports. Significant progress has already been made in this area, with the country now exporting approximately Rs 35,000 crore worth of these essential parts back to global markets, including China.
The subsequent phases focus on scaling up domestic manufacturing capabilities and, crucially, mastering the design process. By investing in indigenous design, the government intends to ensure that the intellectual property remains rooted in India, effectively decoupling the domestic industry from foreign reliance.
Accessible Technology for the Masses
According to senior officials, the upcoming device is not intended to challenge premium global handsets like the iPhone. Instead, the government envisions a product that is three to four levels below the luxury segment in terms of specifications, ensuring it remains affordable and accessible to the average Indian consumer.
The device is slated to operate on Google’s Android platform, leveraging its widespread popularity across the country. While the final branding is still under discussion, there are strong indications that the name will reflect the nation’s identity.
Political Implications and Future Outlook
This project carries significant political weight as the 2028 target date places the launch just months ahead of the 2029 general election. The initiative serves as a direct rebuttal to critics, including opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and economic observers like Raghuram Rajan, who have questioned the current administration’s progress in the manufacturing sector.
By successfully launching an entirely homegrown smartphone, the government aims to provide concrete evidence that its “Make in India” initiative has matured from simple assembly to the sophisticated manufacturing of technology, design, and hardware, marking a transformative milestone in India’s industrial journey.
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