§1How big it is
Electrical equipment was among the leading performers in Index of Industrial Production growth in July 2025, at 15.9%
PIB backgrounder: India's Manufacturing Momentum - Performance and Policy (19 Sep 2025)Exports of heavy electrical equipment (turbines, generators and rotating machines, transformers, switchgear and control gear) rose from Rs 41,677 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 63,839 crore in 2020-21, as per inputs from the manufacturers association
PIB (Ministry of Heavy Industries): Increase in the Exports of Products pertaining to Heavy Electrical Industries (29 Mar 2022)
§2Ways to get started
- LT control panels and distribution boards for buildings and factories
- Motor and transformer rewinding / repair
- LED light assembly (needs BIS registration)
- Wire harness and cable assembly job-work
- Solar and inverter battery installation and service
§3Hubs and clusters
§4Licences and registration
- BIS licence (ISI mark) or Compulsory Registration Scheme registration for products under QCO
- BEE star-label registration for covered appliances
- Vendor registration / type-test approval with state DISCOMs and PSUs for tender supply
- Electrical contractor licence from the state (for installation work)
- Udyam Registration (MSME) - free, online, PAN + Aadhaar based
- GST registration (mandatory above turnover threshold or for inter-state supply)
- Shops & Establishments registration or Factory Licence (Factories Act) depending on set-up
- State Pollution Control Board Consent to Establish / Operate per CPCB 2025 Red/Orange/Green/White/Blue category (White exempt)
- IEC - Importer Exporter Code from DGFT (only if importing or exporting)
§5Regulators
- Ministry of Heavy Industries - administrative ministry for heavy electrical equipment
- BIS - Quality Control Orders cover many electrical products (cables, switches, appliances, LED products); BIS licence or registration needed
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) - mandatory star labelling for listed appliances
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA) - technical standards for grid equipment; utilities' vendor approval
- Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) - type testing
§6Government help
- PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED lights), DPIIT
- PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage, Ministry of Heavy Industries
- Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 - preference in government tenders
- Cross-sector schemes: Udyam-linked MSME benefits, PMEGP, CGTMSE credit guarantee, Stand-Up India, Startup India (DPIIT recognition), RoDTEP / duty drawback and Export Promotion Mission for exporters
§7For exports
- EEPC India (engineering exports incl. electrical machinery)
- DGFT
§8Pros and cons
Merits
- Electrical equipment output grew 15.9% in July 2025, among the fastest in IIP [PIB Sep 2025]
- Heavy electrical exports grew every year from 2017-18 to 2020-21 [PIB 2022]
- Repair, rewinding and panel-building can start with small capital
Demerits
- Most consumer electrical products need BIS certification before sale - testing cost and time
- Utility and PSU orders need type tests and vendor approval, which take long
- Copper and aluminium price swings hit margins
- Cheap imports compete in lighting and appliances