**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 594, answered on March 2, 2026, concerning the import and export of cellular phones in India. It provides data on the import and export of mobile phones for the past three years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25) and outlines government initiatives to promote domestic manufacturing in the electronics sector. There are no immediate deadlines or action items highlighted.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Mobile Phone Import/Export Data:**
* Provides data on the total number of import and export of mobile phones during the last three years, including the State of Tamil Nadu.
* Data is categorized by HS Code and commodity description.
* Figures are reported in lakhs (Indian numbering system).
* Export data provided for 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.
* Import data provided for 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Details several Government of India schemes to promote electronics manufacturing, including Production Linked Incentive (PLI), Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors, Electronic Manufacturing Clusters, Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, continuous focus of Government under 'Make in India', Manufacturing Mission announced in Budget FY 2025-26 and Export Promotion Mission.
* These are pan-India initiatives and not limited to any particular state.
* Benefits are granted to companies selected after due process.
* **Electronics Manufacturing Context:**
* Notes that electronics manufacturing is a global value chain-led industry.
* Acknowledges India's dependence on imports for certain critical inputs and components despite building strong capabilities in finished goods manufacturing, primarily in mobile phones, and several sub-assemblies.
* **Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS):**
* Introduced to build indigenous capabilities in key sub-assemblies and components.
* Aims to deepen domestic value addition, reduce import reliance, and strengthen India's position in global electronics supply chains.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of India**
* **Impact:** The document provides justification for and details the impact of the government's initiatives to boost domestic electronics manufacturing.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting and refining existing schemes (PLI, ECMS, etc.) to reduce import dependency and strengthen India's position in the global electronics supply chain.
**Stakeholder: Electronics Manufacturers in India**
* **Impact:** The data highlights the current state of import and export, informing business strategies. Government schemes offer incentives to boost domestic production.
* **Action Required:** Consider participating in government schemes like PLI and ECMS to leverage incentives and expand domestic manufacturing capabilities.
**Stakeholder: Consumers in India**
* **Impact:** While not explicitly stated, the long-term impact of these initiatives aims to provide more affordable and accessible electronics through increased domestic production.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required; potential beneficiaries of a more robust domestic electronics manufacturing sector.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The primary ministry addressing the import and export of cellular phones in India.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI): A scheme of the Government of India to incentivize domestic manufacturing.
Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS): A scheme by the Government of India to improve domestic electronics manufacturing capabilities.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India specifically mentioned regarding import/export and electronics manufacturing.
Make in India: Government of India initiative to encourage domestic manufacturing.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 594
ANSWERED ON 03/02/2026
IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CELLULAR PHONES
594. DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be
pleased to state:
(a) the total number of import and export of cellular phones during last three years
in the country including the State of Tamil Nadu;
(b) the details of any new proposal to start electronics item manufacturing industry
in Tamil Nadu;
(c) the total share percentage of electronics item manufacturing industry running,
State-wise; and
(d) the details of India depending any electronics items from other countries and
the reason therefor?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) The total number of import and export of Mobile phones during last three
years in the country including the state of Tamil Nadu is as under:
Exports of Mobile Phones
(figures in lakh)
HS Code Commodity Description 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
85171110 Push button type 0.03 0.63 0.25
85171190 Others 0.42 0.65 0.42
85171219 Mobile phones, push button type 0.21 0.00 0.00
85171290 Other 0.20 0.00 0.00
85171300 Smartphones 70.84 151.53 226.31
85171400 Other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless 0.11 0.00 0.00
85171810 Push button type 0.15 0.24 0.40
85171890 Other 2.27 0.40 1.35
Grand Total 74.23 153.45 228.73
1Import of Mobile Phones
(figures in lakh)
HS Code Commodity Description 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
85171110 Push button type 9.54 8.31 5.56
85171190 Others 5.75 1.13 1.25
85171290 Other 0.31 0.00 0.00
85171300 Smartphones 23.39 15.38 8.88
85171400 Other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless 10.46 12.97 6.33
85171810 Push button type 4.89 3.17 4.74
85171890 Other 4.32 5.44 3.36
Grand Total 58.66 46.40 30.12
(b) & (c) The Schemes of Government of India like Production linked Incentive (PLI),
Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and
Semiconductors, Electronic Manufacturing Clusters, Electronics Component
Manufacturing Scheme, continuous focus of Government under ‘Make in India’,
Manufacturing Mission announced in Budget FY 2025-26 and Export Promotion
Mission are pan-India initiatives, not limited to any particular State. Further, the
benefits are granted to the Companies (Selected after due process), who decide the
location of its units.
(d) Electronics manufacturing is inherently global value chain–led, where production
spans multiple countries and stages. While India has built strong capabilities in
finished goods manufacturing. primarily in mobile phones, and several sub-
assemblies, it continues to depend on imports for certain critical inputs and
components.
To address this structurally, the Government has introduced the Electronics
Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). The scheme focuses on building
indigenous capabilities across key sub-assemblies and components, including
displays, camera modules, PCBAs, mechanics, connectors, and other critical inputs.
Over time, ECMS is expected to deepen domestic value addition, reduce import
reliance, and strengthen India’s position in global electronics supply chains.
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