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. The scheme is designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract investment, and increase exports in the telecom and networking products sector.

The total financial outlay for the scheme is ₹12,195 Crores (Rupees Twelve Thousand One Hundred and Ninety-Five Crore) over five years. A separate allocation of ₹2500 Crores is earmarked for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) category, with the maximum financial allocation for MSMEs over 5 years capped at ₹1000 Crores. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) serves as the Project Management Agency (PMA) for implementation and oversight.

The scheme is effective from 1st April 2021 and incentivises investments made by successful applicants in India from that date up to Financial Year (FY) 2024-2025. Support is provided for five years, covering FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27. The objective is to reduce import dependence in this sector, promote self-reliance, and position India as a global manufacturing hub for telecom and networking products.

1. **Registration:** Access the scheme implementation portal at https://pli-telecom.udyamimitra.in/Schemes/SchemeInstructions, complete the registration process, and submit the application form. 2. **Mobile Number Verification:** A verification link is dispatched to the Nodal Officer's email address to confirm the registered mobile number. 3. **Portal Registration Confirmation:** Following verification, the PMA reviews the submitted information and documents. A confirmation email is issued within 2 working days of successful registration. 4. **Application Submission:** Once registration is confirmed, the Nodal Officer can log in using the registered mobile number and OTP to begin filing the detailed application. The application format is available for online viewing for reference, but submission must be completed through the portal. 5. **Password Protection:** Section 3 (Commitment Section) of the application must be secured with a password prior to submission. This section is unlocked by PMA/DoT for scrutiny after the application submission period concludes. 6. **Application Fee Payment:** A non-refundable application fee of ₹1 lakh is payable via RTGS/NEFT to the designated Indian Overseas Bank account (Sanchar Bhawan Branch, New Delhi). 7. **Initial Scrutiny:** The PMA performs an initial review within 15 working days from the submission deadline to verify that all required information, documents, certificates, and proof of fee payment are included. 8. **Deficiency Rectification:** Any shortcomings identified during scrutiny are communicated to the applicant, who has 15 working days from the notification date to address them. Non-compliance may result in disqualification. 9. **Recommendation and Approval:** Upon completion of scrutiny, the PMA submits the list of shortlisted eligible applications to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for approval by the competent authority.

The Project Management Agency (PMA) carries out a preliminary review of all applications within 15 working days of the submission deadline. This step verifies that the information, documents, certificates, and proof of application fee payment are complete. If any gaps are found, the applicant is notified and given the opportunity to correct them.

Once the rectification is done and the scrutiny is complete, the PMA forwards a list of shortlisted, eligible applications to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The final approval is then granted by the competent authority in that department.