India's electronics industry is poised for a transformative phase as it targets USD 500 billion in manufacturing output by 2030, according to a report by TeamLease. Achieving this ambitious milestone will require the sector to expand fivefold in the next five years to address a significant production gap of USD 400 billion. Currently, domestic production in the industry stands at USD 101 billion, with mobile phones contributing a dominant 43% of this output. Other segments, such as consumer and industrial electronics, account for 12% each, while emerging areas like auto electronics, LED lighting, wearables, and printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) also play a growing role.

Despite its promising future, the industry faces a critical talent shortage that could impede its progress. This challenge is not merely quantitative but also qualitative, as there is a pronounced deficit of skilled professionals equipped to meet the demands of advanced technologies and specialized manufacturing processes. Addressing this talent gap is crucial to achieving the sector's ambitious goals, strengthening India’s position in the global electronics supply chain, and sustaining the momentum of growth.

The sector’s growth trajectory is projected to create 12 million jobs by 2027, offering a combination of direct and indirect employment opportunities. Direct employment is expected to span 3 million roles, including nearly 1 million engineers, 2 million ITI-certified professionals, and 200,000 specialists in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Indirect employment, which reflects the sector's broad economic impact, will create an additional 9 million jobs, predominantly in non-technical roles. This employment potential underscores the sector's capacity to drive economic growth while creating diverse career opportunities.

To realize its vision, the industry must prioritize initiatives that bridge the skills gap. This includes enhancing workforce training programs, fostering stronger collaborations between academia and industry, and implementing supportive policy measures to attract investment and promote innovation. As India aspires to become a global leader in electronics manufacturing, its success will depend on its ability to overcome these challenges and seize emerging opportunities in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.