India opens ₹62,500 crore Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme

India has opened applications for a major new Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme carrying a reported ₹62,500 crore budget through fiscal year 2030–31. The programme was notified on August 21 and is designed to expand domestic phone manufacturing, strengthen supply chains and encourage the development of Indian-owned smartphone brands.

Indian electronics-manufacturing-services companies receive a lower turnover threshold than larger international applicants, explicitly giving domestic firms a more achievable route into the programme. The government reportedly expects several Indian brands supported through the initiative to introduce products over the coming 10–14 months. This is important far beyond factory statistics.

India is already one of the world's largest smartphone markets and manufacturing centres, and greater local value addition could influence pricing, component sourcing, export volumes and employment. For mobile gaming, broader production of affordable capable devices expands the potential audience for publishers. The scheme reflects India's attempt to move from being primarily an assembly location toward owning more of the technology, brands and commercial value inside the smartphone supply chain.