India's efforts to strengthen its electronics manufacturing ecosystem still face challenges in developing critical components locally, according to Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India. Speaking at the Digit India’s Top Appliance Awards 2026, Singh highlighted the absence of domestic display fabrication facilities as an important gap in the country's manufacturing ambitions.
Display technology is a crucial part of the modern electronics industry. Display panels are used in televisions, computer monitors, laptops, smartphones, tablets, automotive systems and a wide range of industrial and consumer devices.
India has made significant progress in electronics assembly and manufacturing in recent years. However, the domestic production of several high value components remains limited, requiring manufacturers to depend on international supply chains.
Singh's comments draw attention to the importance of developing capabilities across the complete electronics manufacturing chain rather than focusing only on final product assembly.
The Make in India initiative has encouraged companies to increase manufacturing activity within the country and has aimed to strengthen India's position as a global production hub. Electronics has emerged as one of the key sectors in this effort.
The growth of smartphone manufacturing, consumer electronics production and information technology hardware has increased demand for components and supporting infrastructure.
Display fabrication is particularly complex because it requires substantial investment, advanced manufacturing technology, specialised equipment and highly controlled production environments.
A domestic display fabrication ecosystem could potentially provide manufacturers with greater supply chain stability. It could also reduce exposure to international disruptions, transportation challenges and fluctuations in global component availability.
The global electronics industry has experienced several supply chain disruptions in recent years. These events demonstrated the risks associated with heavy dependence on concentrated manufacturing locations.
Developing domestic capabilities could therefore be strategically important for India as it seeks to become a larger participant in global electronics production.
However, establishing display fabrication facilities requires significant capital investment. Display manufacturing plants can involve high initial costs and require access to advanced technologies, skilled professionals, reliable infrastructure and large quantities of water and electricity.
The economic viability of such facilities also depends on the scale of demand.
India's expanding consumer electronics market could provide an important foundation for future investment. The country has a large domestic market for televisions, smartphones, computers, monitors and other devices that rely on display technology.
If local display manufacturing develops alongside electronics assembly, manufacturers could potentially create a more integrated supply chain within the country.
Such development could also encourage additional component suppliers to establish operations in India.
A stronger domestic ecosystem could include display panel production as well as supporting industries involved in glass, semiconductor materials, specialised chemicals, electronics components and manufacturing equipment.
The development of these industries could create opportunities for technology transfer and workforce development.
The issue is also relevant to India's ambition to increase the value of locally manufactured electronics. Assembly operations can generate employment and economic activity, but producing higher value components can further deepen the manufacturing ecosystem.
Domestic display fabrication could therefore become an important part of a broader strategy to increase local value addition.
The comments made by Singh at the Digit India’s Top Appliance Awards 2026 also reflect concerns within the consumer electronics industry about supply chain resilience.
Companies operating in the display and electronics sectors must manage global sourcing networks while responding to changing consumer demand.
A reliable domestic supply of critical components could provide manufacturers with greater flexibility in planning production.
At the same time, developing a competitive display manufacturing industry would require more than government incentives. Industry participation, technology partnerships, research capabilities and long term demand would all be important.
Display technology is evolving rapidly, with manufacturers developing products based on different technologies and increasingly advanced specifications.
The market includes technologies used in televisions, computer displays, mobile devices and professional equipment. Each category can have different manufacturing requirements.
India would therefore need to develop capabilities that are commercially viable and competitive with established global manufacturing centres.
Research and development could also play an important role. Building domestic expertise in display technologies could help Indian companies participate in future innovations rather than relying entirely on imported technology.
Skilled manpower would be another important requirement. Display fabrication involves specialised engineering, manufacturing and quality control processes.
Training programmes and partnerships between industry and educational institutions could help create the workforce required for a more advanced electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
The potential benefits extend beyond the display industry itself. A stronger component manufacturing base could support India's broader electronics sector and potentially increase opportunities for exports.
India is already seeking to expand its role in global supply chains as companies look to diversify manufacturing operations across countries.
Developing domestic capabilities in strategically important components could strengthen India's position in this competitive environment.
However, challenges such as high investment requirements, technology access, infrastructure needs and global competition remain.
The comments from BenQ India therefore highlight a broader question about the next phase of India's electronics manufacturing strategy.
The country has made progress in assembling and manufacturing finished electronic products, but deeper localisation of components could determine how much value is retained within the domestic economy.
Display fabrication represents one example of this challenge.
As India's electronics market continues to expand, the need for reliable access to advanced components is expected to increase. Policymakers and industry leaders will need to consider how investment, technology partnerships and manufacturing incentives can encourage the development of such capabilities.
The absence of domestic display fabrication facilities remains an important issue for the sector. Addressing the gap could strengthen supply chain resilience, support local value addition and create opportunities for technology development.
For India's Make in India ambitions to move further up the electronics value chain, developing critical component manufacturing alongside final product production will remain an important priority.
Rajeev Singh's remarks at the 2026 awards event have brought renewed attention to this issue and to the broader challenge of building a complete and globally competitive electronics manufacturing ecosystem in India.