From “Make in India” to “Assemble in India”: A Strategic Shift for Economic Growth

Abstract

India’s “Make in India” initiative, launched in 2014, was a bold step toward transforming the nation into a global manufacturing powerhouse. The initiative sought to foster innovation, boost skill development, and create millions of jobs, all while increasing the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP and reducing reliance on imports. However, despite progress, evolving global supply chains and shifting economic dynamics necessitate a new strategic approach—transitioning from "Make in India" to "Assemble in India." This shift is not just a change in focus but a critical evolution for India to integrate more deeply into global value chains, particularly in labour-intensive sectors, and capture a larger share of global exports. by Aditya Pathak scaling up its assembly operations. One of the primary obstacles is the relatively small size of its manufacturing sector compared to countries such as China.