Budget 2025 technology announcements: From AI to TVs, phones, deep-tech startups, GCCs and telecom, six key takeaways
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: The Union Budget 2025 laid out a host of key pointers to make India’s technology economy self-reliant.
From increasing basic customs duty (BCD) on flat panel displays to boost domestic manufacturing, to a new centre of excellence (CoE) on artificial intelligence in education and a ‘fund of funds’ for deep-tech startups, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a number of measures to boost localization of India’s electronics manufacturing economy. Sitharaman tweaked duties on both interactive flat panel displays and open cells of displays—which power consumer LED televisions and their peers—as part of budget 2025.
The BCD on flat panel displays was increased to 20%, which Sitharaman said is “in line with our ‘Make in India’ policy, and to rectify the inverted duty structure." Open cells used in displays, which are currently not made in India, have been completely exempted from import duty. Jasbir Singh Gujral, managing director of Syrma SGS, an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company, said the duty exemption for localizing battery cell and electronics manufacturing "is a step towards enhancing self-reliance and sustainability." "While certain duty revisions will require careful industry evaluation, the overall budget signals a strong commitment to long-term industrial growth," Gujral added.
Avneet Singh Marwah, chief executive officer of contract manufacturer Super Plastronics Pvt Ltd, said the tax tweaks are focused on “benefitting only a select number of manufacturers and brands from China." According to Marwah, there are only five open cell manufacturers in the world, and of them, only one is operational in India in China’s TCL. Two others – China’s
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