How Much of ‘Make in India’ Is Actually MADE in India? The Truth Nobody Talks About
Nidhi | Jun 03, 2025, 14:04 IST
( Image credit : ANI, Timeslife )
India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative has been hailed as a turning point in the nation’s manufacturing journey — but how much of what’s labeled “Made in India” is truly made here? In this revealing article, we explore the uncomfortable truths behind India’s industrial growth, drawing on insights from Fittr founder Jitendra Chouksey and China-based product leader Rich Taylor. While government schemes like the PLI have driven assembly-line activity, the real value — components, chips, R&D, and intellectual property — still flows from China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Through exact statements, verified data, and real-world examples, we unpack the gap between policy slogans and on-ground capability, and ask: is India assembling progress — or outsourcing self-reliance?
The “Make in India” initiative has been hailed as a game changer for the Indian manufacturing sector. It promises to transform India into a global manufacturing hub, reduce import dependence, and foster economic self-reliance. However, beneath the optimistic rhetoric lies a complex reality about the true extent of domestic manufacturing.
Jitendra Chouksey, founder of the fitness platform Fittr, recently highlighted the harsh truth about “Made in India” products — especially electronics — in a candid interview, And viral tweet complementing this perspective is a tweet by Rich Taylor, a China-based product leader, who bluntly stated: “Make in India depends on Made in China.”
In this article, we will dive deep into these statements, fact-check the current manufacturing ecosystem in India, and explore what it truly means to be “Made in India” today.
In an in-depth interview with TheThinkSchool, Jitendra Chouksey offered candid observations based on his experience building a tech brand under India’s manufacturing ecosystem. He said:
99%, not even 90%, of the electronics we use daily are not actually made in India. They are made in China, Taiwan, and South Korea. They are only assembled in India. Many companies are ashamed to call it ‘Made in India,’ so they just label it ‘Made in India’ because the product is assembled here.
Chouksey emphasized that the Indian industry is currently dominated by assembly operations rather than deep manufacturing of components, chips, or intellectual property. According to him, the “Made in India” tag often masks the reality that critical parts are imported, while India mainly does the final assembly.
Jitendra Chouksey also expressed his views on Twitter, reinforcing the message from his interview:
“They are ashamed to call it Assembled in India, so they call it Made in India.”
This pointed statement captures the uncomfortable truth behind many “Made in India” products—they are predominantly assembled domestically, while the core manufacturing happens elsewhere.
Echoing Chouksey’s views from a global supply chain perspective, Rich Taylor tweeted:
“Make in India depends on Made in China.”
Had dinner recently with a few friends looking to shift sourcing from China to India. What followed was a pretty sobering conversation — because the deeper you look into India's manufacturing push, the more upstream dependence you find.
From EVs to virtually every consumer electronic part and component, India’s PLI scheme (Production-Linked Incentive) has delivered downstream assembly — but the brains, the components, and the IP? It is still flowing in from China.
I’ve spent years here, and I’ve seen how deep and mature Chinese supply chains really are. You don’t just “friend-shore” 20 years of integrated R&D and manufacturing overnight. It's pure hopium to think otherwise.
India’s ambitions are valid and the current tariff situation on China makes the timing perfect for India to take advantage of companies being squeezed to find alternatives out of China. But policy doesn’t build value chains — execution, partnerships, and talent pipelines do — and unless those align, it’s not “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” it’s “Assembly in India, Powered by China.”
Thanks to the solid manufacturers in India who’ve reached out to me — I appreciate it and will be reviewing all potential opportunities.
Curious to hear from others who’ve worked on both sides of this. Taylor’s words underline a critical point: policies like the PLI scheme have expanded assembly operations in India but haven’t yet created full upstream manufacturing or R&D capabilities.
Jitendra Chouksey and Rich Taylor’s insights reveal a sobering reality: “Made in India” today often means “Assembled in India, Powered by China.”
For India to realize the vision of true manufacturing self-reliance or “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the country must focus on:
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Jitendra Chouksey, founder of the fitness platform Fittr, recently highlighted the harsh truth about “Made in India” products — especially electronics — in a candid interview, And viral tweet complementing this perspective is a tweet by Rich Taylor, a China-based product leader, who bluntly stated: “Make in India depends on Made in China.”
In this article, we will dive deep into these statements, fact-check the current manufacturing ecosystem in India, and explore what it truly means to be “Made in India” today.
Jitendra Chouksey on “Made in India” — The Interview
Asian Nations React To U.S. President Trump's _Liberation Day_ Tariffs.
( Image credit : Getty Editorial )
99%, not even 90%, of the electronics we use daily are not actually made in India. They are made in China, Taiwan, and South Korea. They are only assembled in India. Many companies are ashamed to call it ‘Made in India,’ so they just label it ‘Made in India’ because the product is assembled here.
Chouksey emphasized that the Indian industry is currently dominated by assembly operations rather than deep manufacturing of components, chips, or intellectual property. According to him, the “Made in India” tag often masks the reality that critical parts are imported, while India mainly does the final assembly.
Jitendra Chouksey’s Tweet — The Direct Take
“They are ashamed to call it Assembled in India, so they call it Made in India.”
This pointed statement captures the uncomfortable truth behind many “Made in India” products—they are predominantly assembled domestically, while the core manufacturing happens elsewhere.
Rich Taylor’s Tweet: A Sobering Reality Check
“Make in India depends on Made in China.”
Had dinner recently with a few friends looking to shift sourcing from China to India. What followed was a pretty sobering conversation — because the deeper you look into India's manufacturing push, the more upstream dependence you find.
From EVs to virtually every consumer electronic part and component, India’s PLI scheme (Production-Linked Incentive) has delivered downstream assembly — but the brains, the components, and the IP? It is still flowing in from China.
I’ve spent years here, and I’ve seen how deep and mature Chinese supply chains really are. You don’t just “friend-shore” 20 years of integrated R&D and manufacturing overnight. It's pure hopium to think otherwise.
India’s ambitions are valid and the current tariff situation on China makes the timing perfect for India to take advantage of companies being squeezed to find alternatives out of China. But policy doesn’t build value chains — execution, partnerships, and talent pipelines do — and unless those align, it’s not “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” it’s “Assembly in India, Powered by China.”
Thanks to the solid manufacturers in India who’ve reached out to me — I appreciate it and will be reviewing all potential opportunities.
What Does This Mean in Practice?
Strong GDP growth reinforces India’s position as fastest-growing major economy.
( Image credit : ANI )
- Assembly vs. Manufacturing: The majority of “Made in India” electronic goods are assembled domestically. The high-value components—such as semiconductor chips, advanced components, and key technologies—are mostly imported from China, Taiwan, and South Korea.
- PLI Scheme Impact: India’s Production-Linked Incentive program has accelerated assembly and some component manufacturing, but the supply chain’s upstream layers—design, innovation, and core component production—are still in their infancy.
- Apple’s Example: Apple has expanded manufacturing operations in India, moving from entry-level iPhones to higher-end models. Yet, most components are still sourced from China, and the Indian supply chain is not yet mature enough to handle the entire production process independently.
- Economic and Strategic Implications: Assembly creates jobs but doesn’t capture the full economic value that comes from manufacturing core components and owning intellectual property. India remains dependent on global supply chains dominated by China, which presents risks during geopolitical or trade tensions.
The Road Ahead for “Made in India”
PM Modi to visit Madhya Pradesh on May 31.
( Image credit : IANS )
For India to realize the vision of true manufacturing self-reliance or “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the country must focus on:
- Building upstream manufacturing capabilities such as chip fabrication and component production
- Investing significantly in R&D and technological innovation
- Developing a skilled workforce and robust industry partnerships
- Moving beyond assembly and capturing more value in the manufacturing ecosystem
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