India’s electronics industry is poised to make significant strides towards achieving a manufacturing output of USD 500 billion by 2030, as outlined in a recent report by TeamLease. Currently, the sector faces a production gap of USD 400 billion that needs to be addressed through a fivefold expansion in the next five years. Mobile phones constitute a significant portion of the industry’s output, with other key contributors including consumer and industrial electronics, electronic components, auto electronics, LED lighting, wearables, hearables, and PCBAs.
This ambitious growth trajectory is projected to create 12 million jobs by 2027, encompassing both direct and indirect roles. Direct employment opportunities will cater to nearly 1 million engineers, 2 million ITI-certified professionals, and 200,000 specialists in high-demand areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. On the other hand, indirect roles will predominantly be in non-technical fields, reflecting the industry’s potential to drive economic growth and provide diverse career paths.
However, the electronics sector faces a critical talent gap that could hinder its progress. Bridging this gap is essential for India to strengthen its position in the global electronics supply chain. To address this issue, workforce skills must align with industry needs, particularly in sectors like semiconductors, electromechanical parts, and various electronic components. The talent pool is expected to come from specialized fields such as Electronics and Electrical streams, ITI-certified professionals, and other technical domains.
AR Ramesh, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, emphasized the importance of targeted skilling programs to meet industry demands. He highlighted the need to scale apprenticeship enrollments, projecting a growth rate of 55 per cent CAGR to reach 1 million apprentices by 2027. Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, stressed the need for capacity-building efforts through in-house training centers and industry-academia collaborations. These initiatives, along with investments in infrastructure, policy interventions, and innovation, are essential for India to realize its goal of becoming a global leader in electronics manufacturing.
In order to achieve this vision, India must adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes investing in skilling programs, fostering industry-academia partnerships, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and scaling reskilling and upskilling initiatives. By focusing on capacity-building measures and addressing talent shortages, the sector can sustain its rapid growth trajectory and solidify its position as a global leader in electronics manufacturing. With the right strategies and concerted efforts, India’s electronics industry can capitalize on its potential for growth and contribute significantly to the country’s economic development.
