India’s iPhone export crosses Rs 2 trillion export mark amid PLI success

In a remarkable achievement, India's iPhone exports have surged to an impressive ₹2 trillion in FY26, marking a significant milestone in the final year of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing. This surge positions iPhones as the largest single branded export from India, surpassing all major categories classified under the Harmonised System (HS) code framework, which encompasses over 5,000 product groups utilized in global trade. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India's total smartphone exports reached approximately ₹2.6 trillion ($29.4 billion) in FY26. Notably, iPhones constituted over 75% of this figure, establishing India as a formidable player in the global export market. In comparison, the automotive diesel fuel category lagged significantly at $14.53 billion, followed by diamonds at $11.23 billion and medicines at $9.98 billion. Apple's success story in India exemplifies the nation's manufacturing aspirations and the effectiveness of the “Make in India” initiative. The company has nurtured a robust ecosystem of local suppliers, training workers through in-house programs and collaborating with over 40 domestic firms, alongside non-Chinese partners like Japan’s TDK Corporation. The growth trajectory for Apple has been impressive, with exports rising from ₹9,351.6 crore in FY22 to ₹44,269.5 crore in FY23. As the PLI scheme gained traction, Apple's manufacturing partners, including Tata Electronics and Foxconn, propelled exports to ₹85,013.5 crore in FY24, eventually peaking at ₹1.5 trillion in FY25. In FY26, the first 11 months saw a 33% increase in iPhone exports, despite various geopolitical and tariff-related challenges impacting global trade. By the end of FY26, Tata and Foxconn were contributing nearly equal shares to iPhone exports. These companies operate some of India's largest manufacturing facilities, employing a workforce that includes over 19,000 workers at a smaller plant and more than 42,000 at the larger facility, with women making up over 70% of the workforce. Overall, Apple's supply chain ecosystem supports around 250,000 jobs across more than 40 component suppliers.