Assam is likely to enter the mobile phone manufacturing space for the first time, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday indicating that a handset production unit is set to come up in the state.
In a post on X, Sarma wrote, “Made in India, Made in Assam — Coming Soon: A mobile phone manufacturing unit in Assam!” The post was accompanied by a short video showing mobile phone assembly lines, signalling progress in the state’s plans to expand into electronics manufacturing.
The Chief Minister later confirmed that discussions to bring a handset manufacturing facility to Assam are at an advanced stage. He had earlier, on January 1, said that talks were underway with companies interested in setting up such a unit in the state. Once operational, the facility is expected to create employment opportunities and add a new dimension to Assam’s industrial profile, which has traditionally been dominated by tea, oil, and agriculture.
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Part of a broader electronics push
As per a News18 report, officials said the proposed mobile phone unit fits into Assam’s larger strategy to position itself as a destination for electronics and high-tech manufacturing. A key project under this push is the ₹27,000 crore Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district. The plant, which is expected to become operational soon, will manufacture semiconductor chips used in mobile phones, automobiles and other electronic products.
Government sources said the presence of the OSAT facility is expected to support downstream industries, including handset manufacturing, by strengthening the local supply chain. In 2025, the state government had indicated that investments worth up to ₹30,000 crore from major industrial groups, including the Tata Group, were being explored in the electronics and mobile technology sectors.
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The move also aligns with the Centre’s push to promote domestic electronics manufacturing under schemes such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme. States across the country have been competing to attract mobile phone manufacturers, and Assam has been highlighting its improving infrastructure, incentives for electronics units and availability of skilled manpower.
While details such as the company involved, location of the plant, investment size and timeline are yet to be announced, the latest signal from the Chief Minister has generated interest among industry watchers. Officials said the project could lead to the growth of ancillary units and contribute to Assam’s broader economic expansion, particularly in the Northeast.
