From Make in India to Design in India: How Advanced Machining is Enabling Next-Gen Electronics Components

India’s electronics goals are shifting from basic assembly to local innovation. Meeting this challenge calls for strong precision engineering, reliable machining tools, and quality-focused processes that can make “Design in India” a practical reality.

Over the past decade, India has emerged as a hub for electronics assembly. Yet the local value addition in these products remains low, typically around 15 to 20 percent, because critical components are still imported. Now, India is striving to move up the value chain from “Make in India” to “Design in India.” This means developing and designing high-value components and products domestically, not just assembling units designed elsewhere.

But if India wants to lead in design, it must first build strength in precision manufacturing.

The government’s Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) is a step in that direction. Unlike past schemes that focused mainly on output, ECMS encourages companies to set up in-house design teams and meet Six Sigma quality standards. The policy aims to increase local production of important components like multi-layer PCBs, sensors, and power electronics, which form the base of many modern devices.

These ambitions, however, need more than labs and policies. They require serious upgrades in manufacturing capacity. Producing advanced components means working with extremely tight tolerances and using high-precision CNC machines and tools. Without this foundation, India’s design goals will remain out of reach.

Consider the cases of Apple and Zoho as examples, Apple’s decision to move a large part of iPhone production to India shows growing trust in our manufacturing abilities. Today, about 18 percent of iPhones are made in India. This shift has encouraged Indian suppliers to raise their standards and improve across the board.

In contrast, Zoho’s halted 700 million dollar chip project points to the existing gaps. Although the company had the funds and vision, it couldn’t find the needed technical partners or depth in local manufacturing. It’s a reminder that money alone cannot solve skill and infrastructure shortfalls.

I remember visiting a factory floor two decades ago where flaws in components were seen as routine. Today, even a slight error can ruin an entire product line. Expectations have changed, and so must our approach.

Precision machining isn’t just a technical matter. It’s a necessary step for sectors like semiconductors, auto electronics, and industrial controls, where the smallest parts need to be made with accuracy. India must expand its machining infrastructure, invest in toolrooms, and train more engineers and operators.

It’s encouraging that ECMS also supports capital equipment makers. This reflects a clear understanding that machine tools are just as important as the products they help build. Making and maintaining advanced machines within India can reduce outside dependence and make our industry more stable.

Quality and design go hand in hand. Six Sigma standards aren’t just targets on paper. They’re essential if Indian-made components are to be trusted in sectors where safety and performance are critical. To meet these standards, factories need to move from inconsistent processes to consistent, well-controlled operations.

If we truly want to deliver on “Design in India,” our factories need to be able to try, test, and adjust quickly. That means having the ability to prototype and iterate at home rather than depending on overseas facilities. With the right machines, teams can turn ideas into working models faster and more affordably.

As India’s electronics sector expands, precision manufacturing will be needed in many areas — from EV batteries to medical devices to automation systems. These all rely on parts that must be built with accuracy and consistency. The urgency of this need underscores the importance of investing in precision manufacturing now.

India has the people and potential. Now, it needs the tools. Investing in advanced machining is not just an industry issue; it’s a national need. If India doesn’t develop these skills now, it risks falling behind despite the progress made in recent years. However, with the right investments and strategies, India’s electronics sector has the potential to lead the way in global innovation.

We can’t expect to build a design-led future using outdated tools. The question is whether we will invest in our own capacity or continue designing for others while relying on imports. The need for India to invest in its own capacity is not just a matter of industry strategy, but a question of national self-reliance.