§1What this business is
Calculators run on a single integrated circuit with a display (LCD or fluorescent), keypad and power source (single, dual or triple power). The unit assembles boards and cases, solders, tests and packs pocket, desktop and printing models. The profile notes prices in the market from ₹70 to ₹6,000. Almost all the money goes into components, so working capital is large.
Capacity: 12,000 calculators a year at an average ₹773 (cost value ₹92.79 L).
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
An electronics assembler with distribution links to stationery and office-supply dealers.
Who it is not for
Someone without the capital to hold large component stock.
Advantages
- Used daily in offices, banks, shops and schools
- Low equipment cost (₹1.97 L)
- Can add scientific and printing models
- Institutional bulk orders
Drawbacks
- Faces cheap imported calculators and big brands
- Very high working capital (₹15.25 L)
- Depends on imported ICs and displays
- Low margin per piece
Skills you need
- PCB assembly and soldering
- Testing and quality checks
- Component sourcing
- Selling to stationery and office suppliers
Why difficulty 3/5: Assembly is simple; price competition and large stock make it hard.
§3Market
Who buys
- Offices and banks
- Shops and departmental stores
- Students and research workers (scientific models)
How it sells
- Stationery and office-supply dealers
- Bulk institutional orders
Good to know
- Calculators come in pocket, desktop and desktop-with-printer types (profile).
- Market prices range from ₹70 to ₹6,000 (profile).
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 MHz oscilloscope | 1 | — |
| DC regulated and multi-output power supplies | 1 lot | — |
| 1 MHz sine/square signal generator | 1 | — |
| Digital multimeters (hand-held and table-top) | 1 lot | — |
| Variac | 1 | — |
| PCB assembly aids | 1 lot | — |
| Drilling machine and grinder | 1 lot | — |
| Temperature-controlled soldering stations | 1 lot | — |
| Hand tools, jigs, fixtures, office equipment and furniture | 1 lot | — |
| All equipment and pre-operative expenses (profile total) | 1 set | ₹1.97 lakh |
From: KVIC Project Profile — Electronic Calculators (Pocket/Desk Top) (PMEGP)
- Calculator ICs, displays, keypads, cases and power cellsraw material ₹84.00 L a year at full capacity
- Labels and packing material₹75,000 a year
From: KVIC Project Profile — Electronic Calculators (Pocket/Desk Top) (PMEGP)
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme if the model is in the notified list
- Legal Metrology packaged commodity registration
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
PMEGP and MUDRA fit the ₹17.22 L project; CGTMSE for collateral-free cover.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: KVIC profile: equipment ₹1,97,000 (oscilloscope, power supplies, signal generator, multimeters, variac, PCB aids, drilling machine, grinder, soldering stations, tools, office equipment, pre-operative) + working capital ₹15,25,000 = ₹17,22,000. Land own; workshed not costed.
Working capital: Working capital ₹15.25 L — components (raw material ₹84.00 L a year).
Year not printed on the KVIC profile — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: ESC (Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council)
- HS codes are from the WCO HS 2022 list; confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Import price competition
- Component supply delays
- Faulty-unit returns
- Stock locked in slow models
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working electronic calculator assembly (pocket / desktop) unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Electronic Calculator Assembly (Pocket / Desktop)?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.