PLI Boost Apple's Ecosystem 5-6 Lakh Jobs Set to be Created in India
Fueled by strong local production, Apple’s iPhone manufacturing plants in India are setting new export records every month. The company is poised to generate between 500,000 and 600,000 jobs both directly and indirectly over the next 1-2 years. With iPhone exports consistently reaching around $1 billion per month, thanks to the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple currently employs approximately 200,000 people, predominantly women, throughout its supply chain, including vendors and component suppliers, according to industry sources.
Tata Electronics, operating two plants for Apple, stands out as the largest job creator within the Apple ecosystem, alongside Foxconn and Pegatron. Over the past decade, mobile manufacturing has been a major driver of job creation, aligning with the government's goal to establish India as a global manufacturing hub. According to government reports, more than 200,000 people have found employment within Apple's ecosystem alone, demonstrating significant growth.
During the peak festival season, iPhone factories in India are expected to directly hire over 10,000 people. Apple is intensifying its investment in India and is reportedly in advanced discussions with Tata Group's Titan Company and the Murugappa Group to assemble sub-components for phone camera modules. The tech giant aims to produce more than 50 million iPhones annually in India, as part of its strategy to shift some production away from China.
The iPhone exports from India surged sharply to $12.1 billion in 2023-24 from $6.27 billion in 2022-23. Overall, the company’s India operations reached 23.5 billion dollars in value in the last fiscal (FY24), further cementing the country’s position as a viable alternative to China and Vietnam when it comes to electronics manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Tata Group is geared up for a new iPhone assembly plant in the country that is likely to become operational in the festive quarter. The iPhone unit by Tata is being built in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The iPhone facility is expected to employ over 50,000 workers, mostly women.
Apple has started training thousands of workers at its Foxconn-operated factory in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in preparation for the launch of the latest iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models in India following their global debut this fall. The company plans to release its 'Make in India' iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models in the country immediately after their international launch.
