Make in India Initiative
Introduction – Why Make in India?
Before 2014, India’s growth was often described as “services-led” rather than “manufacturing-led.”
- The manufacturing sector contributed less to GDP compared to countries like China.
- There was heavy dependence on imports, low employment absorption, and lack of strong industrial ecosystems.
To change this, the Government launched the Make in India initiative in 2014, with the vision of transforming India into a global manufacturing hub.
👉 In short: “Produce in India, for India and the world.”
Purpose and Objectives
Purpose:
- To promote India as the most preferred global manufacturing destination.
Objectives:
- Facilitating investment – Attract both domestic and foreign capital.
- Fostering innovation – Encourage R&D and new technologies.
- Building world-class infrastructure – Industrial corridors, smart cities, logistics.
- Ease of doing business – Simplify rules, reduce red tape.
- Enhancing skill development – Build a workforce ready for modern industries.
- Opening new sectors – Especially for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
- Forging partnership – Government acts as facilitator, not just regulator.
Background
- Launched in 2014 under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- Now being implemented as Make in India 2.0, which focuses on 27 key sectors (manufacturing + services).
- Coordination:
- Manufacturing Sectors → DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade).
- Service Sectors → Department of Commerce.
Pillars of Make in India
The entire initiative is built on four pillars:
- New Processes
- Business environment reforms: simplification of procedures, faster clearances, digitization.
- Aim: Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).
- New Infrastructure
- Industrial Corridors, Smart Cities, high-speed internet, modern transport, logistics.
- Example: Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
- New Sectors
- FDI liberalization in Defence Production, Insurance, Construction, Medical Devices, Railways, etc.
- Many sectors now allow 100% FDI under automatic route.
- New Mindset
- Shift in government role → from being a regulator to being a facilitator.
- Positive partnership between government and industry.
Coverage – 27 Sectors
Under Make in India 2.0, focus is on 27 sectors:
- Manufacturing (15 sectors) → Aerospace & Defence, Automobiles, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Electronics, Textiles, Food Processing, Railways, Construction, New & Renewable Energy, etc.
- Services (12 sectors) → IT & ITeS, Tourism & Hospitality, Medical Value Travel, Transport & Logistics, Accounting, Education, Legal, Environmental Services, etc.
Key Initiatives Supporting Make in India
The initiative is not standalone. It is supported by several flagship programmes:
- Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme – Boosts domestic manufacturing with incentives.
- Semiconductor Ecosystem Development – To reduce import dependence in electronics.
- PM Gati Shakti – Integrated infrastructure planning.
- National Logistics Policy – To cut logistics cost.
- National Industrial Corridor Development Programme – World-class industrial zones.
- Startup India – To encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Tax Reforms – Corporate tax cuts, GST simplification.
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – Digital backbone for ease of business transactions.
Significance
- Strengthens self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
- Boosts FDI inflows.
- Expands employment opportunities in manufacturing and allied services.
- Reduces dependence on imports.
- Makes India part of the global supply chain.
✅ In summary:
The Make in India initiative, launched in 2014, is a transformative programme to position India as a global manufacturing hub. Built on four pillars—New Processes, New Infrastructure, New Sectors, New Mindset—and focusing on 27 key sectors, it facilitates investment, innovation, and skill development. Supported by schemes like PLI, Gati Shakti, Startup India, and UPI, it is central to India’s journey towards industrial growth and self-reliance.