Make in India: Powering the Rise of a Global Manufacturing Giant

A deep dive into the initiative’s pillars, its evolution into Atmanirbhar Bharat, the PLI schemes, success stories and the path ahead for India’s manufacturing future.

What is the ‘Make in India’ Initiative?

Launched in September 2014, Make in India was more than a slogan — it was a strategic push to transform India from a services-first economy into a global manufacturing and design powerhouse. Represented by a lion made of cogwheels, the program invited domestic and foreign investors to manufacture in India and helped strengthen jobs, skills and industrial capacity.

The Core Pillars Supporting the Vision

The program rests on four strategic pillars that collectively modernize India’s industrial ecosystem:

1. New Processes (Ease of Doing Business)

Gone are the days of the infamous “License Raj.” A major focus has been on simplifying and rationalizing regulatory environments. The government has introduced major reforms to improve India’s ranking in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index, making it faster to start a business, get construction permits, and handle taxes.

2. New Infrastructure

Modern manufacturing requires modern infrastructure. The government is heavily investing in industrial corridors, smart cities, and world-class logistics hubs. Projects like Sagarmala (port-led development) and Bharatmala (road connectivity) are crucial for reducing logistics costs and moving goods efficiently.

3. New Sectors

Make in India opened up vast sectors of the economy to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Sectors previously restricted—like Defense, Railways, and Space—have seen significant liberalization, attracting global technology and capital.

4. New Mindset

Perhaps the most critical shift was changing the government’s role from a “regulator” to a “facilitator.” The goal is to partner with industry in economic development rather than obstructing it with red tape.

From ‘Make in India’ to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) evolved in the post-pandemic world as a complement to Make in India. While the latter invites global firms to manufacture in India, Atmanirbhar focuses on building domestic capacity and resilience. The two are complementary — you need a strong manufacturing base to be self-reliant, and domestic demand (Vocal for Local) helps sustain it.

The Game Changer: Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes

The PLI schemes provide financial incentives for incremental sales of products manufactured in India — a powerful lever to attract large-scale investments across electronics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and more.

By directly linking rewards to output, PLI programs encourage both global and domestic firms to expand local manufacturing footprints rather than just use India as a market.

Success Stories: The Lion Roars

Mobile & Electronics: India rose from net importer to the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer globally — a standout PLI success.

Automotive & EVs: Companies like Tata & Mahindra are leading EV adoption while India exports small cars and components worldwide.

Defense: A renewed focus on indigenization is driving domestic defense production and reducing import dependence.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite strong momentum, India faces structural challenges that must be resolved to become a global manufacturing hub:

Logistics Costs: Still above global benchmarks — continued investment in ports, roads, and rail integration is necessary.

Skill Gap: Industry 4.0 demands upskilling the workforce for automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

Land & Labor Reforms: Sensible reforms will enable large-scale factory creation and streamline operations.