A “big enabler” for India’s growth transition
Describing the mission as a transformative initiative, Subrahmanyam said the NMM will act as India’s “tool for transition” toward high-value, job-intensive, and globally competitive industrial growth.
The programme aims to accelerate the shift from agriculture to manufacturing – a structural transition that India has long sought. The mission will prioritise both hi-tech and labour-intensive sectors, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather and footwear. It will also focus on emerging areas such as capital goods, electric vehicles, robotics and semiconductors to position India as a global manufacturing hub.
Cluster-based strategy
Subrahmanyam said the plan will follow a cluster-based approach, identifying five key regions to develop sector-specific ecosystems. Each cluster will integrate skilling, employment, and investment support to build sustainable industrial bases. This model, he said, will help improve productivity, streamline supply chains, and promote localised economic growth.
“The manufacturing space is being vacated by many countries, and this is a huge potential for India, especially given that we have the biggest workforce,” he added.
Reviving manufacturing’s share in GDP
India’s manufacturing sector currently accounts for around 17% of GDP, a level that has remained largely stagnant for over a decade, according to Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) data. The government has set an ambitious target to increase this share to 25% through its NMM initiative, Subrahmanyam said.
The Niti Aayog CEO also noted that the government’s National Manufacturing Mission will address long-standing bottlenecks, such as logistics inefficiencies, skill shortages, and cumbersome regulations, through deep coordination between the Centre and states.
Boosting investments and jobs
A key goal of the NMM will be to stimulate private sector investment. Subrahmanyam said India needs “sustained growth of 8 to 9%” and annual investments of 30–35% of GDP to maintain momentum. He said the government is also pushing to ease procedures related to land, environment, and compliance through a cabinet-level task force.
Private capital and foreign direct investment (FDI) will play a central role in the mission’s success. With multinational companies looking to diversify supply chains, India’s low-cost base, large market, and skilled workforce make it an attractive destination.
Focus on people and green growth
Subrahmanyam underlined three pillars for sustainable growth: openness, green energy leadership, and human capital development. The mission, he said, will encourage innovation-driven, clean, and inclusive industrialisation that aligns with global sustainability goals while generating employment at scale.
As the world adjusts to slower growth, India, he said, remains “the brightest spot” thanks to its size, talent, and resilience. With the National Manufacturing Mission ready to launch by November-end, the government’s focus now shifts to execution – ensuring India’s manufacturing ambitions translate into real economic transformation.
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