New Delhi – India's flagship Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has successfully attracted investments totaling ₹2.4 lakh crore by the end of fiscal year 2026. This substantial inflow, driven by the government's 'Make in India' initiative, aims to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities across various key sectors.
Data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request reveals that 892 applications were approved under the scheme as of March 2026. Beyond investments, the PLI scheme has generated impressive production and sales worth ₹22.66 lakh crore, contributing ₹14.15 lakh crore in value addition to the economy.
Top-Performing Sectors in PLI Scheme
Among the 14 sectors covered by the PLI scheme, high-efficiency solar PV modules emerged as the frontrunner, drawing the highest investment of ₹64,873 crore. This highlights India's strategic push towards renewable energy and energy independence.
Following closely, the pharmaceutical drugs sector attracted ₹45,158 crore in investments, signaling robust growth in the country's drug manufacturing capabilities. The automobiles and auto components sector secured the third position with investments totaling ₹44,326 crore, reflecting a strong commitment to localizing vehicle production.
Scheme's Origins and Expansion
Launched in April 2020 with an initial outlay of ₹1.91 lakh crore, the PLI scheme was designed to incentivize domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. Key sectors initially included large-scale electronics manufacturing, IT hardware, bulk drugs, and medical devices.
While many sectors have thrived, some have seen lower investment. Drones and drone components received ₹595 crore, IT Hardware 2.0 attracted ₹908 crore, and the manufacturing of medical devices garnered ₹1,151 crore.
Future Outlook and New Proposals
Given the scheme's overall success, several administrative ministries are now developing proposals to expand its scope beyond the existing 14 sectors. These potential expansions are reportedly being reviewed with a focus on enhancing self-reliance and domestic manufacturing, particularly in light of global supply chain challenges.
In a related development, the Centre recently approved 96 firms for the second round of the textiles PLI scheme. This round commits a total investment of ₹12,822.67 crore and projects a turnover of ₹58,294.18 crore, further diversifying the scheme's impact on India's industrial landscape.