VOL XXVI, ISSUE 06

31 March 2025

  POLICY SCAN                                                                              

CBIC Circular no: 08/2025- Customs dated 24th March 2025: Clarification on the scope of the Camera Module of Cellular Mobile Phones.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has issued Circular No. 08/2025-Customs on March 24, 2025, clarifying the scope of camera modules for mobile cellular phones under Notification No. 57/2017-Customs.

  Key takeaways:

a)      Definition of Camera Module:

a.      A camera module consists of lens, sensors, FPCB assembly, bracket/holder, connectors, and mechanical parts.

b.      The “essential character” of a camera module is determined by its primary function as a camera, irrespective of design changes due to technological advancements.

b)      Classification & Eligibility for Concessional Duty:

a.      Complete camera modules (including single or multiple cameras) meant for mobile phone manufacturing will qualify for 10% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) under S. No. 5A of Notification No. 57/2017-Customs.

b.      Individual components of a camera module (imported separately) will not qualify for this concessional rate and will attract applicable duty rates.

c)      Clarification on Structural Elements:

a.      Parts such as metal chassis, plastic covers, or holders only providing strength or protection without additional functionality will still be considered part of the camera module assembly.

d)      Duty Implications:

a.      If a camera module is imported as a fully integrated assembly, it will continue to get the concessional duty.

b.      If components of a camera module are imported separately, they will be taxed at standard BCD rates.

Impact on the Mobile Phone Industry:

• Provides clarity for importers on duty benefits for camera modules.

• Ensures uniformity in classification across customs office.

• Prevents misclassification of imports where structural components were previously considered non-camera parts and taxed separately.

This clarification is expected to streamline imports and prevent disputes related to the classification of camera modules under customs laws.

For more details, members are advised to refer to the official CBIC website regarding CBIC Circular no: 08/2025- Customs dated 8th March 2025.

CBIC Notification No. 21/2025-Customs dated 28th march 2025: Government Issues Amendment to notification no. 22/2022-Customs to notify the fourth tranche of tariff concessions under India-UAE CEPA.

The Government of India has issued Notification No. 21/2025-Customs, which comes into effect on April 1, 2025. This latest amendment, announced by the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Revenue, revises the customs duty rates by replacing Table I of the previous notification (No. 22/2022-Customs, dated April 30, 2022).

The new table provides an updated schedule of duty rates for a wide range of goods, including various electrical and telecommunications equipment—with rates set at percentages such as 0%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 6%, and 12%. This update follows the earlier amendment made on February 1, 2025, and is aimed at aligning customs regulations with current trade needs and public interest.

The new tariff structure will be relevant for manufacturers, importers, and exporters of electrical machinery, electronic goods, and related components, and it reflects the government's efforts to fine-tune import duties to ensure a balanced approach to both industry interests and public policy.

For more details, members are advised to refer to the official CBIC website regarding CBIC Notification No. 21/2025-Customs dated 28th March 2025 and refer to the specific HS codes and corresponding duty rates as listed Table I.

CBIC Notification No. 22/2025-Customs dated 28th March 2025 : Government Issues Amendment to notification no. 25/2021-Customs to notify the fifth tranche of tariff concessions under India-Mauritius CECPA.

The Government of India has issued Notification No. 22/2025-Customs amending the previous customs notification (No. 25/2021-Customs, dated 31st March 2021). The amendments, notified under the Customs Act, 1962, come into effect on 1st April 2025.

Key Changes:

a.Table 1 Amendments:  

 The tariff schedule for several goods under specific HS codes has been updated. Notably:

a.      HS Code 85340000: Duty maintained at 0%.

b.      HS Codes 85365010, 85365020, 85365090, 85369010, 85369020, 85369030, and 85369090: Duty set at 5%.

b.  Table 2 Amendments:
A new table details tariff concessions on certain food products under HS codes for vegetable preparations: : a 50% concession on the applied rate of duty has been granted.

These revisions aim to adjust duty rates in line with current trade and economic policies, impacting importers and exporters across the affected sectors.

For more details, members are advised to refer to the official CBIC website regarding CBIC Notification No. 22/2025-Customs dated 28th March 2025 and refer to the specific HS codes and corresponding duty rates as listed Table 1 and Table 2.

CBIC Notification No. 11/2025–Central Tax (GST Amendment Rules, 2025) dated 27th March 2025: Amendments to CGST Rules on Refunds and Appeals

The CBIC has amended the CGST Rules, 2017 through Notification No. 11/2025-Central Tax (March 27, 2025) to clarify refund eligibility and appeal withdrawal procedures under Section 128A.

Key Changes:

a) Refund Restriction (Rule 164(4))

1. No refund for tax, interest, or penalty already discharged if the demand covers both the period under Section 128A and any other period.

b) Appeal Withdrawal (Rule 164(7))

1. Taxpayers can withdraw only part of the appeal related to Section 128A, without affecting the appeal for other periods.

c) Automatic Appeal Withdrawal (Explanation in Rule 164(7))

1. Appeals will be deemed withdrawn for the period July 1, 2017 – March 31, 2020, where applicable under Section 128A(3).

These changes streamline refunds and appeals, reducing litigation and compliance burden for taxpayers.

For more details, members are advised to refer to the official CBIC website regarding CBIC Notification No. 11/2025–Central Tax (GST Amendment Rules, 2025) dated 27th March 2025.

DGFT Public Notice No. 51/2024-25, dated 19th March 2025: Extension of Last Date for Filing Annual RoDTEP Return (ARR) for FY 2023-24

The Government has extended the last date for filing the Annual RoDTEP Return (ARR) for FY 2023-24 from March 31, 2025, to June 30, 2025. The grace period has also been extended from June 30, 2025, to September 30, 2025.

This extension is notified through Public Notice No. 51/2024-25, dated March 19, 2025, under the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.

Effect of the Public Notice: Exporters availing RoDTEP for FY 2023-24 now have an additional three months to file their ARR.

For more details, members are advised to refer to the official DGFT website regarding DGFT Public Notice No. 51/2024-25, dated 19th March 2025. 

DGFT Notification No. 66/2024-25, dated March 20, 2025: Extension of RoDTEP Scheme for AAs, SEZs, and EOUs Until February 5, 2025

The Government has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) Scheme for exporters operating under Advance Authorizations (AAs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) until February 5, 2025. This extension is notified through DGFT Trade Notice No. 66/2024-25, dated March 20, 2025.

For more details, members are advised to refer to the official DGFT website regarding DGFT Notification No. 66/2024-25, dated March 20, 2025.

For any queries regarding this ELCINA Policy Capsule, please contact policy@elcina.com.

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         INDUSTRY  SCAN                                                                             

General

India’s First SiC Semiconductor Facility to Come Up in Odisha by 2025

RIR Power Electronics is set to establish India’s first silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor production facility in Odisha. The company plans to begin the first phase of production by December 2025, focusing on Epitaxy Wafer manufacturing. The facility, backed by an investment of Rs 618 crore, aims to manufacture high-power SiC devices, including MOSFETs and diodes ranging from 3.3kV to 20kV. RIR Power Electronics has stated that while the initial phase will focus on wafer production, subsequent phases will involve packaging and full-fledged SiC fabrication. According to Harshad Mehta, Founder and Promoter of RIR Power Electronics, the company is working closely with the Odisha government to advance semiconductor manufacturing. The production of SiC semiconductors is crucial for industries such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, industrial automation, and power electronics. SiC technology is known for its high efficiency and durability, which can improve energy management across multiple sectors.

Source: https://apacnewsnetwork.com/, March 29, 2025

Automakers brace for a rough road ahead in FY26

Automakers are bracing for a likely challenging start to the new fiscal year, when price hikes they are compelled to make due to higher input cost could further dampen demand that is already weak and increase inventory that is high at dealerships. Auto dealers said it has been some time before they faced a string of challenges like this time. Strict emission and safety regulations, increased raw material prices and supply chain disruptions are putting cost pressure on automakers, forcing them to announce price hikes for several fast-moving models. While the price increases are mostly effective April, and companies are offering generous discounts on both fossil fuel-run and battery-powered vehicles ahead of the end of this fiscal year, consumers are largely refraining from making purchases, said dealers. Prices are expected to increase 3-4%, or ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh, within the budget and mid-tier segments. The average retail price of new vehicles (mass-market and luxury) has surged from ₹8 lakh in 2018 to ₹14 lakh in 2024, according to estimates by consultancy firm Jato Dynamics.

Source: By Lijee Philip, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 29, 2025

From Samsung to BYD: Foreign companies and their tax tussles with India

Foreign companies have often struggled in India due to high tax demands related levies payable on big M&A transactions or government accusations of duty evasion on imports, at times leading to prolonged litigation. Volkswagen faces a record $1.4 billion tax notice for importing parts for 14 models, including some Audis, in separate shipments to avoid the higher tax on completely knocked down (CKD) units. The German automaker sued Indian authorities in a Mumbai court saying the "impossibly enormous" tax demand will hit its investment in the country, and foreign investor sentiment. India's government told the court that agreeing to Volkswagen's demand to quash the tax bill would have "catastrophic consequences" and encourage companies to withhold information and delay inquiries, court documents showed.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 26, 2025

India’s semiconductor demand to cross $100 billion by 2030: S Krishnan

Currently valued at $45-50 billion, India’s semiconductor demand is expected to reach $100-110 billion by 2030, S Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said. He was speaking at the first ‘Nano Electronics Roadshow’ held at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on Thursday, where he underscored the critical role of MeitY’s Nano Centres in fostering innovation and talent development, stating that the government is building a semiconductor-ready workforce of 85,000 professionals. Krishnan highlighted that currently, nearly 70-75% of investments in major semiconductor facilities come from taxpayer money, making every Indian a stakeholder in this mission. With 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce based in India, Krishnan said the success of the India Semiconductor Mission is a shared responsibility of the government, industry, and academia.

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/, March 28, 2025

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Information Technology

Make in India’s Leap in Electronics Manufacturing & Exports

Not long ago, India relied heavily on imports, with most electronics being imported. However, things are changing fast. With the Make in India initiative, the country is now building its own electronics industry, attracting big investments and boosting local production. As a result, India’s electronics exports are growing rapidly, even surpassing some traditional sectors like textiles. With strong government support and expanding factories, India is well on its way to becoming a global hub for electronics manufacturing. Launched in 2014, the Make in India initiative has been a pivotal step in India's nation-building efforts. The initiative was conceived during a period when India's economic growth had sharply declined, and the country faced critical challenges in sustaining its development trajectory. Against this backdrop, "Make in India" was designed to transform India into a global hub for design and manufacturing. Its core objectives were to facilitate investment, encourage innovation, and develop world-class infrastructure. As one of the pioneering 'Vocal for Local' initiatives, it sought not only to boost India's manufacturing capabilities but also to showcase its industrial potential on a global stage.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/, March 26, 2025

First made-in-India microcontroller coming in 6 months

India’s first indigenously designed commercial microcontroller is likely to be launched in the next six-to-seven months by Chennai-based Mindgrove Technologies, its co-founder and chief executive Shashwath T R told FE. The company has begun production of its Secure IoT chip. The Secure IoT chip has applications across wearables (smartwatches and headphones), connected home devices (smart locks, speakers, and smart fans), smart city devices (electricity, water and gas meters), access control devices (biometrics), and devices such as thermal printers and point-of-sale (POS) machines, in addition to EV battery management. The quantum of production will be decided over the next few weeks as the firm finalises contracts with companies requiring the microcontroller, Shashwath said. As it prepares for commercial production of the first chip, the design startup is also in the process of finalising the design of its second chip — the Vision SoC chip. Aimed at high-performance edge computing and video processing applications, Vision SoC (System-on-Chip) will be suited for applications and devices whose functions involve identifying and processing video information.

Source: By Urvu Malvania, https://www.financialexpress.com/, March 30, 2025

Elon Musk's Grok AI is now on Telegram

Just a few days after Elon Musk's Grok AI broke the internet with its savage comments, xAI is ready to take on another social media platform. Recently, it has been announced that Grok AI is now integrating into Telegram. Previously, users could only interact with the chatbot on either X (formerly known as Twitter) or the Grok app. But now Telegram users will also be able to chat with it. This step could be a strategy to increase the Grok AI's reach and give Telegram another chance to fight the AI world. For context, Telegram has been facing legal issues since August 2024. Since the last arrest of CEO Pavel Durov, the messaging app has been accused of being an easy platform for criminal activities and more. Moreover, with no AI features, users were slowly losing interest, especially when its competition, WhatsApp, was actively introducing MetaAI features. And now with Grok AI, Telegram has climbed up the ladder and is speculated to be in the headlines for some time.

Source: By Unnati Gusain, https://www.indiatoday.in/, March 27, 2025

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Consumer Electronics

Foldable Smartphone Market to See its First Decline in 2025 Before Robust Comeback in 2026

This year is expected to be even tougher, with Counterpoint forecasting single-digit negative growth for the market in 2025. “I don’t see many positives this year and we are actually expecting negative growth for the segment, which will be a first,” observed Senior Analyst Jene Park. But it is definitely not a sign of the market peaking; rather it is a sign of regrouping before 2026, which is expected to be exciting and rejuvenating for the segment with the entry of Apple and a slew of clamshells.” Counterpoint Research’s latest Foldable and Rollable Display Shipment and Technology Report supports this growth view for 2026 with the forecast of a mid-double-digit YoY growth in panel procurement. “The supply chain is telling us foldable order books are filling up further out.. At the moment, this doesn’t look like a market that is plateauing – it looks like a market that is about to transform. And that requires a lot of planning, hence the slight pullback this year.

Source: https://www.counterpointresearch.com/, March 28, 2025

 Shipments of ‘Made in India’ Smartphones Grew 6% YoY in 2024 Amid Record Exports

Made in India’ smartphone shipments grew 6% YoY in 2024 driven by increasing exports from Apple and Samsung, according to Counterpoint’s ‘Make in India’ Service. Apple and Samsung alone accounted for around 94% of India’s smartphone exports. Both the brands have significantly expanded their manufacturing in India to align with the country’s objective of reducing reliance on imports and strengthening its presence in the global supply chains. The Indian government’s PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme has encouraged global manufacturers to set up or expand their production facilities in the country. All this has resulted in increasing local manufacturing. Major global smartphone manufacturers are increasingly diversifying production to ensure a more resilient supply chain and minimize the risks associated with over-reliance on a single country. India presents itself as a great manufacturing destination due to a huge local market, affordable labor costs and favorable schemes from the government focused on increasing local manufacturing. Smartphone manufacturing in India is expected to grow in double digits in 2025, along with increasing local value addition.

Source: https://www.counterpointresearch.com/, March 20, 2025

 Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo and other Chinese companies up for local parts in electronics play

As smartphone and consumer electronics makers look to reduce dependency on Chinese imports for components, taking the lead in building a local supply chain ecosystem are Chinese companies. Brands like Haier, Hisense, Oppo, OnePlus and Vivo are all working to significantly increase local value addition in their products, driven by persistent regulatory pressure and a growing Indian supplier base. The Chinese refrigerator and television maker has reached out to local component manufacturers to set up plants near its production units, and one such facility - producing wire baskets for deep freezers - has already come up near its Pune plant, he said. Next in line is refrigerator door glass manufacturing by local companies. Haier is investing ₹300 crore for manufacturing of components like injection moulding and printed circuit boards in India. TV and appliance maker Hisense, which has recently started local production in India through contract manufacturers, is also exploring such a route, a senior company official said.

Source: By Writankar Mukherjee, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 22, 2025

 India slaps Samsung with tax demand of $601 million for telecom imports

India has ordered Samsung and its executives in the country to pay $601 million in back taxes and penalties for dodging tariffs on import of key telecoms equipment, a government order showed, for one of the biggest such demands in recent years. The demand represents a substantial chunk of last year's net profit of $955 million for Samsung in India, where it is one of the largest players in the consumer electronics and smartphones market. It can be challenged in a tax tribunal or the courts. The company, which also imports telecoms equipment through its network division, received a warning in 2023 for misclassifying imports to evade tariffs of 10% or 20% on a critical transmission component used in mobile towers. Samsung pushed India's tax authority to drop the scrutiny, saying the component did not attract tariffs and officials had known its classification practice for years.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 22, 2025

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Telecom

Regular tariff hikes by telecom companies to continue in future: Report

The regular tariff hike by the telecom operators in the country will continue in future as the companies plan to increase Average Revenue Per User, says a report by Centrum Institutional Research. The telecom industry has already witnessed three major tariff hikes in December 2019, November 2021, and July 2024. The report suggests that regular tariff hikes will continue in the future, which will help telecom companies improve their revenue. With rising prices, more customers are likely to shift to premium plans, leading to higher spending per user. It said, "ARPU is surging due to deliberate pricing strategies and improving customer mix. Three tariff hikes; Dec'2019, Nov'2021 & July'2024. We expect regular tariff hikes going ahead too." The report also noted that India's 2G customer base is expected to shrink significantly over the next 5-6 years. Currently, around 250 million customers in India still use 2G services. Among telecom companies, Airtel has 23 per cent of its customers on 2G, while Vodafone Idea (VIL) has around 40 per cent. However, with the increasing adoption of 4G and 5G, the number of 2G users is expected to become negligible over time.

Source: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/, March 25, 2025

Vodafone Idea’s relief hopes fade as DoT puts spectrum surrender on hold

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has put on hold its proposal to offer telecom operators the option of surrendering airwaves bought before the 2022 auctions, a move which deals yet another blow to Vodafone Idea after the recent government decision not to waive interest and penalties related to adjusted gross revenue dues. The development came amid demands by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio that the government have a clause for refund of the money that they have fully paid up for the spectrum bought before 2022 but could have now surrendered, said officials aware of the matter. Vodafone Idea was hoping to immediately surrender some spectrum bought before 2022 and use it partly to pay for bank guarantees in the near future. Surrender of excess airwaves could have reduced the telco's government obligations by ₹30,000-₹40,000 crore, depending on the quantum of spectrum returned. Officials said the move to allow surrender of spectrum would have involved a complicated process to change the rules of auctions conducted before 2022, which was also a deterrent.

Source: By Kiran Rathee, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 29, 2025

Tejas Networks Secures Rs 189 Cr Incentive Under Telecom PLI Scheme

Tata Group-backed Tejas Networks Ltd has received Rs 189.17 crore from the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications, as an incentive under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Telecom and Networking Products for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25). The incentive is part of the centre’s broader initiative to boost domestic manufacturing and enhance India’s telecom infrastructure. As per the company’s regulatory filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Tejas Networks received Rs 189.1657 crore on 29 March. This disbursement represents the first tranche, accounting for 85 per cent of the incentive allocated for the first two quarters of FY25. Tejas Networks specializes in optical and data networking solutions, catering to telecommunications service providers, internet service providers, utilities, defence and government organizations across more than 75 countries.

Source: https://apacnewsnetwork.com/, March 31, 2025

Reliance Jio Expands Its 5G Network by Introducing the 26 GHz mmWave Band Across India

Reliance Jio has officially expanded its 5G services with the rollout of the 26 GHz band-better known as mmWave frequency-across 21 states and union territories in India. This latest development marks a focused shift toward enterprise-grade 5G connectivity, as mmWave offers high-speed, low-latency performance, but with infrastructure demands that differ from traditional consumer bands. The 26 GHz band isn't entirely new to the 5G ecosystem-it's part of the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum that's known for ultra-fast data transmission and reduced latency. However, the trade-off is its limited range, which requires a dense network of base stations to be effective. Because of these constraints, mmWave is primarily intended for enterprise-level applications, not everyday consumer use. Reliance Jio has now introduced mmWave capabilities in states and territories such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, and West Bengal, among others. The move comes as part of Jio's efforts to meet minimum rollout obligations set by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and reflects its strategy to diversify 5G offerings.

Source: By Kabir Jain, https://www.gizbot.com/, March 31, 2025

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EV’s & Auto Electronics

Govt weighs EV charging expansion across key infra with ₹2,000 crore fund

The Union government is planning to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across major sectors such as ports, roads, railways, and airports, while incorporating battery swapping facilities, a senior official said. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) is in discussions with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and various state governments to identify potential locations for installing EV charging stations. As part of the ₹10,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme, the government has allocated ₹2,000 crore for the installation of EV charging stations and battery swapping facilities across the country. The initiative aims to improve charging connectivity for India’s growing EV market and reduce reliance on internal combustion engine vehicles. India aims to increase the number of public EV charging stations to 72,300 by FY26, up from the current 32,500.

Source: By Puja Das, https://www.business-standard.com/, March 31, 2025

BYD’s bold India strategy: Outsmarting Tesla in the EV race

Electric vehicle maker, BYD (Build Your Dreams) announced plans to set up its manufacturing plant in Telangana. With Chinese EV makers facing additional import tariffs in Europe and the U.S., BYD is focused on other markets with potential EV demand growth. The company is set to invest Rs 85,000 crore ($10 billion) in its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in India. Does this mean BYD has an advantage over Tesla’s much-awaited debut in the Indian market? By setting up a manufacturing plant, the Chinese EV can localize its production. BYD has decided to take the plunge and has revealed how serious it is for the Indian market as it will set up its first manufacturing plant here. With the Indian Government’s new lower tariff rates on EVs, this gives companies like BYD a much-needed shot in the arm. According to a report by Times of India, Telangana government officials confirmed that the state government has identified 200 acres of land for BYD.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/, March 31, 2025

Maharashtra's Tax Reduction On Electric Vehicles Aims To Enhance Affordability & Sales

In a bid to lead the charge towards sustainable transportation, Maharashtra has taken a bold step by slashing taxes on electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to make them a more attractive option for consumers. By eliminating the additional 6% tax that was previously levied on EVs, the state government has paved the way for a significant price reduction in electric vehicles. This policy adjustment is anticipated to spur sales of electric vehicles, contributing to a cleaner environment and promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions. This tax reduction strategy by Maharashtra is seen as a pivotal move to encourage the uptake of luxury electric vehicles, which often come with a hefty price tag due to various taxes imposed by both central and state governments. These taxes are a major revenue source but also make luxury vehicles less accessible to the average buyer. By making high-end electric cars more affordable, Maharashtra is not only fostering a shift towards greener vehicles but also aligning with the national agenda to escalate electric vehicle adoption across India.

Source: https://www.drivespark.com/, March 29, 2025

Centre aims green logistics at ports, eyes setting up EV charging infra

The union heavy industries ministry has consulted the ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways to determine locations across ports for installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, according to two officials aware of the development. These EV charging stations will be installed on ports as a part of the ongoing ₹10,900-crore PM E-drive scheme, the officials said. Email queries to the ministry of heavy industries and the ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways were unanswered till press time. The government has allocated a massive corpus of ₹2,000 crore towards installation of EV charging stations across the country to ensure charging connectivity for India's rapidly growing electric vehicle market. Two kinds of vehicles are likely to need EV charging stations on ports as electrification of mobility takes its course in the country—ground operations in ports, and cargo and commercial vehicles such as trucks.

Source: By Manas Pimpalkhare, Rituraj Baruah, https://www.livemint.com/, March 30, 2025

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Defence & Solar

Waaree Energies launches India's largest solar cell facility in Gujarat

Clean energy player Waaree Energies Ltd on Saturday announced the launch of its solar cell facility having a capacity of 5.4 gigawatt (GW) at Chikhli in Gujarat. Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the inauguration event along other senior government officials, Waaree Energies said in a statement. "Bharat's largest solar cell manufacturing Gigafactory inaugurated by Waaree Energies in Chikhli, Gujarat," the company said. The facility is spread across 150 acres, with a built-up area of 101 acres. Speaking on the occasion, Joshi said the launch of one of largest solar cell facility embodies the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat and stands as a tribute to India's growing prowess in the global renewable energy landscape.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/, March 29, 2025

TOPCon solar cell based on aluminum contacts achieves slightly lower efficiency than silver-based counterpart

A group of researchers led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia has developed a tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar based on aluminum (Al) contacts placed on the rear side. The proposed cell configuration is aimed at replacing expensive silver (Ag) pastes used for cell contacts with low-cost aluminum, which can be seamlessly integrated into the existing industrial screen-printing infrastructure and is already well-established in solar cell manufacturing,” the research project's lead, Ning Song, told pv magazine, noting that Al pastes cost approximately $3–7/kg, which is more than 100 times cheaper than silver (Ag) pastes and significantly cheaper than emerging copper (Cu) pastes.  The contacts were then screen-printed with a conventional Al paste provided by Japanese specialist Toyo Aluminum K.K. In the paper “Integration of aluminum contacts in TOPCon solar cells: A pathway to reduce silver usage,” published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, the scientists explained that they used Al contacts prepared with a laser contact opening (LCO) tool.

Source: By Emiliano Bellini, https://www.pv-magazine.com/, March 28, 2025

India's Solar PV Manufacturing Capacity to Reach 125 GW by 2030

India's solar PV module manufacturing capacity will increase to 125 gigawatt (GW) by 2030 from the current 80 GW, and its installed solar cell manufacturing capacity will soon touch 40 GW from 25 GW at present, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said in Gujarat's Navsari district on Saturday. In 2014, solar PV module manufacturing was nearly absent in the country, he said after inaugurating a state-of-the-art 5.4 GW solar cell manufacturing facility of Waaree Energies Limited at Degam here. Today, companies like Waaree are producing 80 GW solar PV modules. By 2030, our total solar PV manufacturing capacity will be 125 GW. Similarly, solar cell manufacturing was nil in 2014. But today we are manufacturing 25 GW, and very soon we will reach a target of 40 GW. We are moving ahead with the thinking of integrated solar, right from polysilicon to module, to be manufactured in India. India has emerged as the world's third largest producer of renewable energy, and will achieve the target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 from 220 GW currently, the Union minister added.

Source: https://money.rediff.com/, March 29, 2025

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MSME

(Special section of the MSME related news under ELCINA Micro & Small Industry Forum)

Govt Mandates Companies to Report MSME Payment Delays Over 45 Days

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSME ) issued Notification No. S.O. 1376(E) dated March 25, 2025, directing all companies that procure goods or services from Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to report any payment delays exceeding 45 days from the date of acceptance or deemed acceptance of supplies. In exercise of powers conferred by section 9 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006) and read with section 15 of the said Act, the Central Government hereby directs that all companies who get supplies of goods or services from micro and small enterprises and whose payments to micro and small enterprise suppliers exceed forty five days from the date of acceptance or the date of deemed acceptance of the goods or services as per the provisions of the said Act, shall submit a half yearly return to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Source: https://www.taxscan.in/, March 28, 2025

Vi partners with WB's export body to boost MSME digital transformation

Telecom major Vodafone Idea (Vi) on Tuesday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal State Export Promotion Society (WBSEPS) to accelerate digital transformation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. The move comes as the West Bengal government aims to strengthen its MSME ecosystem, which employs over 10 million people. The collaboration will leverage the digital assessment and advisory initiative of the telecom company and it has already evaluated over 1.9 lakh MSMEs nationwide since its launch in 2022, the statement said. Under the partnership, the telecom major will provide localised digital tools and training modules in Bengali, and host webinars to enhance tech adoption among West Bengal's MSMEs.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/, March 25, 2025

New financial year set to bring key tax, pension, and MSME reforms

A host of financial and regulatory changes set to take effect from April 1, marking the start of the 2025-26 financial year, are expected to boost consumption, strengthen social security and expand business opportunities for small enterprises. These include revised income tax slabs, a unified pension scheme (UPS) for central government employees, and enhanced turnover ceilings for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The new tax regime will see the basic exemption limit raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh, while the tax rebate under Section 87A has been enhanced to reduce the burden on middle-income taxpayers. Under these revisions, individuals earning a taxable income of ₹12 lakh from April 1, 2025, onwards will save ₹83,200 (including cess) in taxes. Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda, said the impact of the tax cut would become evident once consumer spending picks up.

Source: By Harsh Kumar, Monika Yadav, https://www.business-standard.com/, March 31, 2025

MSMEs estimated at 7.3 Crores as of 2023-24, Wide Variation in State Sectoral Distribution

Over the past five decades, the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has grown into a vital and dynamic force in India’s economy. Beyond driving economic growth, it plays a crucial role in social development by nurturing entrepreneurship and creating vast employment opportunities with relatively low investment, second only to agriculture in job generation. According to the 73rd round of the National Sample Survey (2015-16), India had approximately 633.88 lakh unincorporated, non-agricultural MSMEs engaged in various sectors, including manufacturing (196.65 lakh), trade (230.35 lakh), and other services (206.85 lakh). The micro-enterprise segment dominates this landscape, making up over 99% of all MSMEs, followed by small and medium enterprises, which account for just 0.52% and 0.01%, respectively. Interestingly, MSMEs are nearly evenly distributed between rural (51.25%) and urban (48.75%) areas, underscoring their widespread impact across the country.

Source: https://factly.in/, March 31, 2025

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https://elcina.com/roadmap-for-developing-pcb-eco-system-in-india	Roadmap For Developing PCB Eco-System in India Key Findings Indian PCB market and industry size in terms of domestic production, exports, and imports Growth drivers and challenges (needs & gaps) in the Indian PCB industry Growth potential of PCB manufacturing in India and identify enablers for creating & strengthening the domestic value chain Key inputs required viz. investments, technology, and infra eco-system Details of key PCB value chain players – global and domestic, who can be invited to invest to establish a strong PCB industry
https://elcina.com/ems-task-force-report-on-market-industry-analysis-of-ems-sector-in-india	EMS Task Force Report Key Findings Currently EMS Industry (Contract Manufacturing Services) are valued 832 Bn $ and are projected to grow 1055 Bn by 2025. Domestic electronics manufacturing is estimated at USD 75 Bn of which 39 Bn constitutes EMS value. This is divided into 23.5 Bn domestic Mfg. and USD 15.5 Bn PCBS/Sub-Assembly imports. Further USD 53.5 Bn is finished Electronic Goods imports of which USD 17 Bn is EMS value. Thus total EMS opportunity loss is US$ 32.5 Bn (15.5 +17). The report estimates that EMS production can grow realistically from USD 23.5 Bn today to USD 152 Bn by 2025 at CAGR of 45%. This will meet 75% of the countries EMS requirement of US$ 203 Bn by 2025 against a total estimated market of 400 Bn.
https://elcina.com/elcina-task-force-report-on-electronic-components	ELCINA Task Force Report on Electronic Components Key Findings Current status of component manufacturing in India – Areas of competence vs Gaps and inadequacies Components which urgently require investments and growth in domestic manufacturing Emerging technology and new components for upcoming opportunities Constraints and bottlenecks to be addressed Overcoming Policy constraints, WTO (ITA-1) deadlock and Zero Duty issue Strategy for overcoming these constraints Eco-System requirements- Role of Central and State Governments
https://elcina.com/elcina-directory-of-indian-electronics-industry	ELCINA Directory of Indian Electronics Industry 2024-25 Description ELCINA Directory of Indian Electronics Industry – includes the updates on Indian Electronics Industry and a host of additional improved features covering business environment, statistical industry scan, company databases plus various projections. This handy compendium with its easy-to-read format attracts the attention of a growing number of users (within India and abroad) Apart from electronics industry, the users of this Directory range from financial institutions, commercial banks, FIIs, Consultancy organizations as well as industry promotion institutes across the world….

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	Hong Kong Electronics Fair 13th to 16th April (spring Edition) Hong Kong https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairse/en
	Automotive World 16-18 April 2025 Hall D, Coex, Seoul   https://www.automotiveworld.kr/en-us.html
	Electric Energy Conference & Show 2025 12th – 14th April 2025 Korea   https://sief.co.kr/fairContents.do?FAIRMENU_IDX=13453&hl=ENG
	electronica China 2025 April 15-17 Shanghai New International Expo Centre https://www.electronicachina.com.cn/en/important-exhibitions-for-the-industry
	Expo Electronica 15th-17th April 2025 Moscow, Russia   https://expoelectronica.ru/en/about/venue/
	The Total Solution Exhibition for Electronics equipment 4th to 6th  June 2025 Tokyo, Japan https://www.jpcashow.com/show2025/en/exhibition/download.html

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	All About Electronics Expo April 2025 Delhi https://www.allaboutelectronicsindia.com/
	Led Expo 03th to 05th April Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai https://shorturl.at/8S3Ck
	PUNE'S ELECTRONICS EXPO 15th to 17th May 2025 Pune https://pune.efyexpo.com/
	Consumer Electronics 24th to 26th July 2025 Pragati Maidan, New Delhi https://cewexpo.com/
	Electronics Expo India 2025 21st to 23rd August 2025 Pragati Maidan Delhi https://www.ipcapcb.org/activities
	SEMICON® India SEP 1 - 3, 2025 Yashobhoomi (IICC), New Delhi https://www.semiconindia.org/
	electronica India 2025 September 17-19 Bangalore International Exhibition Centre https://electronica-india.com/en/trade-fair/

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