India to Launch Indian-Branded Mobile Phones by 2028: Ashwini Vaishnaw Reveals Plan
India aims to launch mobile phones designed, manufactured and branded in the country by October 23, 2028. Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says India is building the technology needed to develop its own mobile phone brands and compete in the global market.
October 24, 2026: India is moving beyond assembling mobile phones and aims to design and manufacture phones under its own brands. Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced that Indian-designed and Indian-branded mobile phones could reach the market by October 23, 2028.
He made the announcement at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi on October 23, 2026. “Remember this day,” he said, expressing confidence that two years later, people would have mobile phones designed, manufactured and branded in India.
To explain the complexity of designing a mobile phone, the minister held a handset and described the many components that must fit inside it. These include the radio frequency communication system, antenna, processor, memory, camera module, display and power management system.
Designers must also manage the phone’s weight, battery life and performance. Bringing all these components together in a compact device is a major technical challenge. Therefore, developing a phone entirely through Indian design and technology requires significant expertise.
How India Is Building Its Mobile Phone Design Capabilities
India has already taken steps towards developing its own mobile phone technology. Around three years ago, the government challenged Indian designers to develop a mobile phone motherboard, also known as a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is the main circuit board that connects the phone’s electronic components.
Two companies took up the challenge. One company developed a design that was selected by a major American telecom operator. The company has since designed a 5G mobile phone and supplied it to the operator. The phones have been manufactured and delivered to customers, demonstrating the progress Indian companies have made in mobile phone design.
Vaishnaw said the technological capabilities developed over the past three and a half years would now be used to develop Indian-branded mobile phones. These devices are expected to feature Indian designs and intellectual property, while also being manufactured in the country. He expressed hope that they would perform well in the market and compete globally.
This move is the next step in the Make in India initiative. Until now, India’s mobile phone industry has largely focused on manufacturing and assembling devices for foreign brands. The new goal is to develop Indian brands, design phones domestically and retain ownership of the underlying technology. The government has also introduced schemes to support mobile phone manufacturing, with a focus on encouraging investment, research and development.
If the plan succeeds, it could create new employment opportunities, reduce dependence on imported technology and help Indian companies compete in the global electronics market. Although many mobile phones are already manufactured in India, their designs and key technologies often come from abroad. The launch of Indian-designed and Indian-branded phones by 2028 would mark an important step towards building a more self-reliant electronics industry.
