India’s electronics industry is at a turning point: the government’s recent incentives under Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLI), Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), and earlier frameworks such as Make in India have created encouraging tailwinds for domestic PCB manufacturing.
Still, with nearly 88 per cent of PCB demand met through imports as of FY24-25, the gap between demand and domestic supply remains wide — underscoring that subsidies alone are insufficient to build a robust PCB ecosystem.
To bridge this gap and build a globally competitive PCB sector, four foundational changes are needed. First, India must localize critical raw-material supply — including copper foil, specialty laminates and chemicals — to reduce input costs and dependence on imports.
Second, investment in PCB-focused research & development (R&D) must increase, enabling India not just to produce basic boards but advanced variants such as HDI (high-density interconnect), flexible and RF PCBs — essential for modern electronics, EVs, telecom, defence and more.
Third, a skilled technical workforce is crucial. PCB fabrication requires expertise in processes such as multilayer registration, chemical processing and precision alignment. Structured training and industry-aligned certification programs will be key to cultivating this talent base.
Fourth, coordinated action between central and state governments is essential. A unified Centre–State facilitation framework with simplified compliance, predictable incentives and streamlined infrastructure support will make the sector more attractive and scalable.
If these elements are addressed in tandem, India has a realistic chance to transform from an import-dependent electronics assembler to a global PCB manufacturing hub — meeting domestic demand and becoming a trusted supplier to international OEMs.
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