India’s telecom exports have grown by 72% over the last five years, increasing from ₹10,000 crore in 2020-21 to ₹18,406 crore in 2024-25. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that this growth reflects India’s transformation into a globally competitive manufacturing and services hub. Meanwhile, telecom imports have remained stable at approximately ₹1.51 lakh crore.
The country is also witnessing a rapid rollout of 5G technology, with 767 out of 778 districts already connected to the network. India currently has around 36 crore 5G subscribers, a number expected to grow to 42 crore by 2026 and reach 100 crore by 2030. This massive expansion in connectivity is a cornerstone of the nation’s digital transformation strategy.
To manage IT hardware imports, the government will open a new authorization portal on December 22, 2024. The portal will remain operational until December 2026 for companies seeking to import laptops, tablets, and other hardware. This move is part of the broader effort to streamline the domestic technology market while promoting local manufacturing initiatives.