Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) For Promoting Telecom & Networking Products Manufacturing In India

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promoting Telecom & Networking Products Manufacturing in India on 24th February 2021. Its purpose is to expand domestic manufacturing capacity, draw in investment, and raise exports in the telecom and networking products sector.

The scheme has an overall financial outlay of ₹12,195 Crores (Rupees Twelve Thousand One Hundred and Ninety-Five Crore), to be spent over five years. Of this, ₹2500 Crores is reserved for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) category, and the maximum allocation for MSMEs across the five years is capped at ₹1000 Crores. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) serves as the Project Management Agency (PMA), tasked with implementing and overseeing the scheme.

Investments made in India by successful applicants on or after 1st April 2021, and up to Financial Year (FY) 2024-2025, qualify for incentives. Support runs for five years, spanning FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27. The scheme seeks to lower India's import dependence in this sector, advance self-reliance, and position India as a global manufacturing hub for telecom and networking products.

- **Step 1: Registration:** Go to the scheme implementation portal at https://pli-telecom.udyamimitra.in/Schemes/SchemeInstructions, create a registration, and complete the application form. - **Step 2: Mobile Number Verification:** A verification link is dispatched to the Nodal Officer's email ID so that the registered mobile number can be verified. - **Step 3: Portal Registration Confirmation:** Once verification is done, the PMA reviews the information and documents that were submitted. If registration succeeds, a confirmation email follows within 2 working days. - **Step 4: Application Submission:** With registration complete, the Nodal Officer may sign in through their registered mobile number and OTP to begin filing the detailed application. The application format is available online for reference, but filing must take place through the portal. - **Step 5: Password Protection:** Before submission, Section 3 (Commitment Section) of the application has to be password protected. PMA/DoT unlocks this section once the application submission period closes, so that scrutiny can begin. - **Step 6: Application Fee Payment:** A non-refundable application fee of ₹1 lakh is payable by RTGS/NEFT to the designated Indian Overseas Bank account (Sanchar Bhawan Branch, New Delhi). - **Step 7: Initial Scrutiny:** Within 15 working days of the submission deadline, the PMA carries out an initial scrutiny to confirm that all required information, documents, certificates and proof of fee payment have been furnished. - **Step 8: Deficiency Rectification:** Where scrutiny reveals deficiencies, these are communicated to the applicant, who has 15 working days from the date of notification to set them right. Failing to do so may result in ineligibility. - **Step 9: Recommendation and Approval:** On completion of scrutiny, the PMA recommends the list of shortlisted eligible applications to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), for approval by the competent authority.

Within 15 working days of the submission deadline, the Project Management Agency (PMA) screens each application. This check covers whether the information, documents, certificates and proof of application fee payment are complete. Where something is missing, the applicant is told to rectify it.

Once the deficiencies are set right and scrutiny is finished, the PMA puts forward a list of shortlisted eligible applications to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which places it before the competent authority for final approval.