Goyal Emphasizes on need for Self-Reliance and Export Competitiveness in Key Sectors

India must focus on the sectors in which India has competitive edge over other countries and address the problems faced by the various stakeholders so that country’s exports can grow. This was stated by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal at the review meeting on Production Linked Incentive Scheme, one of the notable initiatives for making India “Aatmanirbhar’ in the manufacturing sector.

Shri Goyal urged the need for becoming self-reliant in the key sectors covered under the PLI Scheme. Emphasizing that the Ministries should focus on creating quality skilled manpower instead of focusing on the quantity and resolve infrastructure bottlenecks in collaboration with NICDC, Shri Goyal stressed on preparing a roadmap for the next five years both on investment and disbursement.

The meeting was attended by all the concerned Ministries. 

The PLI Scheme is under various stages of implementation in 14 key sectors. The scheme has witnessed investments worth Rs. 1.76 lakh crores, which has generated production/ sales of over Rs. 16.5 lakh crore and employment of over 12 lakhs (Direct & Indirect) till March 2025. Cumulative incentive amount of Rs. 21,534 crore has been disbursed under PLI Schemes for 12 Sectors viz. Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM), IT Hardware, Bulk Drugs, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Telecom & Networking Products, Food Processing, White Goods, Automobiles & Auto components, Specialty Steel, Textiles and Drones & Drone Components.

The impact of PLI Schemes has been significant across various sectors in India. These schemes have incentivized domestic manufacturing, leading to increased production, job creation and a boost in exports. Some of the notable sectors are as follows:

1. Pharmaceutical Drugs: The sector has witnessed cumulative sales of Rs. 2.66 lakh crore which includes exports of Rs. 1.70 lakh crore achieved in the first three years of the scheme. Export sales of eligible products under the scheme for FY 2024-25 was ₹0.67 lakh crore, which is approximately 27% of total pharma exports of the country during the same period. 40% of total investment (Rs 37,306 Cr) amounting to Rs 15,102 Cr has been undertaken by the approved companies under Research & Development (R&D) for eligible products under the scheme. The overall Domestic Value Addition in the Sector has been 83.70% as on March 2025.
2. Bulk Drugs

The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs aims to boost domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs), Drug Intermediates (DIs), and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in India. The scheme has contributed to India becoming a net exporter of bulk drugs (2280 cr.) from net importer (-1930 cr.) as was the case in FY 2021-22. It has also resulted in significant reduction in gap between the domestic manufacturing capacity and demand of critical drugs.

3. Food Products: PLI Scheme for food products has reported investments worth Rs. 9,032 crore which has resulted in production/sales of Rs. 3,80,350 crores and employment of 3,40,116 (Direct and indirect). By mandating the use of domestically grown agricultural products (excluding additives, flavors, and edible oils) in the manufacturing process, the scheme has substantially increased local raw material procurement, benefiting underdeveloped and rural areas while supporting farmers' incomes. Under the PLI scheme, a significant proportion of beneficiaries are MSMEs, with 70 MSMEs directly enrolled and 40 others contributing as contract manufacturers for larger companies. This has strengthened SMEs by fostering innovation, improving competitiveness, expanding market access, generating employment opportunities, and supporting the broader value chain in the food processing industry. The sales of Value-Added Marine products increased at CAGR of 22% during the PLI period. With the launch of PLI Millet Scheme, the Sales of Millet Based Products increased 25 times in FY 25 over the Base Year (FY 21).  The procurement of millets by the PLI beneficiaries has increased from 4081 MT in FY 2022-23 to 16130 MT in FY 2024-25 which has led to the increase in the rural household income.
4. Textiles: Exports of Indian Man-made Fibre (MMF) Textiles have reached US$ 6 Billion during FY 2024-25 as against exports of US$ 5.7 Bn. during the FY 2023-24. The overall exports of Technical Textiles from India reached US$ 3,356.5 million during FY 2024-25 as against exports of US$ 2,986.6 million during FY 2023-24.