Economic Survey 2025-26: PLI scheme drives telecom exports by 1.5% AAGR between FY21-25, imports slide

NEW DELHI: India’s telecom sector has achieved a notable success under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, with exports rising by 1.5% average annual growth rate (AAGR) between FY21 and FY25. By contrast, imports fell by 18.5% during the same period, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26 released on Thursday.

“This trend indicates an early accomplishment in import substitution, aligning with the PLI framework’s overarching objective of enhancing market penetration abroad,” the document, published ahead of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s union budget announcement on February 1 (Sunday), said.