Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
| Photo Credit:
Salman Ali/PTI
The government on Monday lashed out at electronics manufacturers for failing to meet targets for structured in-house design programmes and Six Sigma standards, warning that it may halt fund disbursements under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) if these goals are not met.
Vaishnaw warns industry over unmet commitments
“In the last meeting, all of you had committed that by the end of March 2026, you will have a proper structured programme… but I don’t see that structured programme till now. While we from the government are trying our best, the ball is now in the industry’s court to match those efforts. We have to be in tango, and you have to really scale up your efforts and ambitions,” Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, said at an event here.
The Minister pulled up the industry body, the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), and its member firms for not adhering to the integrated approach set by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) to boost high-quality, self-reliant electronics manufacturing under the ECMS, launched in April 2025.
Fresh approvals under ECMS announced
Meanwhile, MeitY on Monday approved 29 applications under the ECMS, entailing a cumulative investment of ₹7,103 crore and 14,246 jobs. These new applications will lead to the production of electronic components worth ₹84,515 crore, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, told reporters.
With this, a total of 75 applications across 23 products have been approved. Manufacturing units are to be set up in 12 states over the next year, with a total investment commitment of ₹61,671 crore to date, direct employment for 65,000 people, and a production capability worth ₹4,51,858 crore, MeitY informed.
15-day deadline for compliance roadmap
Vaishnaw has issued a 15-day deadline for the industry to update the government on steps taken toward key requirements: product design, Six Sigma standards, talent development, and local sourcing. In January, the Minister had asked the industry to prioritise setting up design teams and urged players to adopt Six Sigma to remain competitive in global supply chains.
“Over a period of time, those who do not invest in design will be weeded out. We will make sure that they are weeded out. I am saying that very bluntly and very openly because that is very important for our nation, and in our party, we always believe in nation first, always first,” he said.
Focus on design-led manufacturing push
The Minister stressed that the “need of the hour” is for the country to move into electronics, components, and machine design. Six Sigma is a methodology aimed at minimising defects and ensuring near-perfect output.
Vaishnaw added that all 75 applicants under the ECMS must share their progress plans within the next 15 days.
Industry remains optimistic on growth
“The scheme has generated strong industry confidence and is encouraging fresh investments in the components segment, which is critical for enhancing domestic value addition. Continued policy support, ease of doing business, and a stable, long-term framework will further enable the industry to scale and integrate with global value chains,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA.
He added that the industry remains confident that such initiatives will significantly help position India as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
Published on March 30, 2026
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