India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have attracted Rs. 2.16 lakh crore in investment and boosted electronics manufacturing from $37 billion to over $115 billion in less than a decade. However, the country’s factories remain far behind global leaders in automation.
According to 2025 reports, South Korea leads the world with 1,220 robots per 10,000 employees, followed by Singapore with 818. China has 166 robots per 10,000 workers, while India’s robot density stands at just six — among the lowest in major manufacturing economies.
Prateek Jain, COO and Co-founder of Addverb, stated: “The future of industrial development will be shaped by productivity, precision and the ability to manufacture at globally competitive levels. Robotics is no longer a factory upgrade. It has become a national competitiveness imperative.”
South Korea’s high robot density is driven by electronics and auto giants like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, which have increased robot use by 7% annually. China has invested heavily in AI, robotics, and smart factories, automating repetitive tasks, improving quality, and boosting efficiency while controlling costs.
India’s lower labor costs have slowed automation adoption, but as global competition intensifies, factories may need to blend skilled workers with modern machines. This balance could help India strengthen its position in global manufacturing in the coming years.
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