- The government aims to encourage investment in these components to foster local production
- The new guidelines also introduced a lower minimum investment threshold of ₹2 crores for setting up e-waste recycling facilities
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has revised the minimum investment threshold limit for manufacturing electronic components such as display glasses, under the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS), to ₹15 crores. The updated list of goods now includes display assembly, touch panel/cover glass assembly, and cover glass finishing.
The latest addition aims to encourage investment in these components, fostering their local production and reducing dependency on imports
Electronics For You spoke to Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) public policy director, Dr Ashish Saurakhia who said that the new amendments include the glass which is an integral part of the display assembly and also has touch sensitive features. “A few companies have requested to add the industries involved in cutting and finishing of displays. This basically means a big sheet will come and depending on the models of mobile phones and car consoles and similar display items, these ready-made glasses will be cut and provided to the mobile phone manufacturer or display assembly manufacturer,” he explained.
“This industry is absolutely absent in India. There is no one who is doing this. A few have committed to this, so the government has agreed to their request and included this finished glass, under SPECS,” he added.
Recycling e-waste
Furthermore, the revamped guidelines introduced a lower minimum investment threshold of ₹2 crores for setting up e-waste recycling facilities. The document stated that these facilities should be equipped to recycle strategic minerals such as rare earth elements, lithium, niobium, palladium, cobalt, tantalum, indium, antimony, beryllium, and ruthenium.
Additionally, they should also handle precious metals such as gold, platinum, palladium, silver, and base metals like copper, aluminum, nickel, tin, zinc, iron, and cobalt, among others. The scope of recycling includes e-waste components like PCBs (populated and bare), li-ion batteries, spent magnets, solar PV panels, catalytic converters, and other e-waste components, along with intermediary products derived from e-waste.
The amended guidelines come as part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the domestic electronics industry, reduce import dependence, and promote sustainable practices.
