The 'Make in India' Program

In September 2014, the government launched the Make in India¹² campaign, focusing on initiatives to facilitate investments in India and promoting it as a global manufacturing hub. The program aims to improve the ease of doing business in India by reducing red tape, improving infrastructure, opening up more sectors to FDI, and most importantly, changing the image of the Government from a 'permit-issuing authority' to a true business partner. The program has been a stellar success in India, reducing dependency on imports and turning many sectors into domestic manufacturing hubs that cater to global demand. The Make in India initiative dismantled outdated frameworks and introduced transparent mechanisms that resolve investor issues and accelerate investment flows. Aligned with Make in India, the government introduced the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan¹³ campaign built on five pillars: economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography, and demand. The campaign urges citizens and industries to prioritize self-reliance and boost domestic value creation. Key achievements of the Make in India program over the past decade include¹⁴.

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes¹⁵: One of the most impactful initiatives aligned with Make in India, PLI schemes now span 14 major sectors with an investment of USD 24 Billion including electronics, semiconductors, automotive, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. These schemes have significantly boosted domestic manufacturing capacity, attracted global OEMs, and strengthened India’s role in global value chains.
• Electronics & Semiconductor Manufacturing¹⁶: India has become the world’s second-largest mobile handset manufacturer, with major brands setting up and expanding facilities under Make in India. In 2024– 25, the government approved multiple semiconductor fabrication and OSAT/ATMP plants to reduce import dependency and strengthen high-tech manufacturing.
• Bharatmala Pariyojana: An initiative by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), this large- scale infrastructure initiative enhances freight and passenger movement through development of national corridors and highways, supporting manufacturing competitiveness and supply-chain efficiency.
• Redefining MSME Champions: MSMEs, which form the backbone of Make in India, continue to benefit from redefined classifications, digital registration, and grievance redressal systems through the CHAMPIONS portal, enabling faster scaling and improved formalization.
• Defence Manufacturing Hubs¹⁷: India has emerged as one of the top 5 military spenders and an up-and- coming defense manufacturing hub. Two Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu continue to attract investments from domestic and global firms. India’s defence exports crossed USD 2.8 billion, reflecting the shift from importer to emerging exporter.
• National Broadband Mission: The expansion of fiber networks, 4G saturation, and rapid 5G rollout have strengthened digital capabilities essential for modern manufacturing, automation, and Industry 4.0 adoption.
• Industrial Corridors: The government has accelerated the development of industrial corridors such as DMIC, CBIC, AKIC, and BMEC, enabling world-class industrial townships with plug-and-play infrastructure, multimodal logistics connectivity, and simplified land allotment.

• 12.Make in India, https://www.makeinindia.com/about
• 13. Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, https://www.investindia.gov.in/atmanirbhar-bharat-abhiyaan
• 14. Make in India spotlight, https://www.makeinindia.com/atmanirbhar-bharat-abhiyaan
• 15. PLI - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153454&ModuleId=3
• 16. Ministry of Electronics & IT - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2099656
• 17. Ministry of Defence - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2117348