India’s Electronics Sector Driving Large-Scale Blue-Collar Employment for Women, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Bengaluru, December 22, 2025 Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday highlighted the growing role of India’s electronics sector in generating large-scale employment opportunities, particularly for women. He pointed to the example of Foxconn’s new iPhone assembly plant in Bengaluru, which has rapidly onboarded nearly 30,000 employees, approximately 80 percent of whom are women, within just eight to nine months. Speaking on X, Vaishnaw remarked, “A women-led mega factory would have been unimaginable just 10 years ago.” He added that the electronics sector continues to create skilled, blue-collar jobs, especially for women, while promoting technology transfer, women empowerment, and improving ease of living. Foxconn’s Devanahalli facility represents a major step in India’s manufacturing growth. Most of the women employed at the plant are first-time entrants into the formal workforce, predominantly aged between 19 and 24. Employment at the facility is expected to rise to nearly 50,000 workers by next year, marking a significant milestone in creating job opportunities for young women. Trial production at the Devanahalli plant began in April-May 2025 with the iPhone 16, and the facility is currently assembling the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models. Over 80 percent of the output is planned for export markets, showcasing India’s growing role in the global electronics supply chain. Foxconn is investing approximately Rs 20,000 crore in the Devanahalli project, which spans nearly 250,000 square feet. Once fully operational, it is expected to become Foxconn’s largest manufacturing unit in India in terms of both production capacity and employment, surpassing its first iPhone manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu, which currently employs around 41,000 workers. The company had also announced an additional investment of Rs 15,000 crore in Tamil Nadu in October 2025, expected to generate about 14,000 high-value jobs. Foxconn currently operates facilities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, and the new investments signal a significant expansion of its manufacturing footprint in India. Experts note that India’s electronics sector is playing a crucial role not just in employment generation but also in skill development, especially among young women entering the workforce for the first time. The trend is also contributing to broader economic growth, improving technology adoption, and fostering inclusive industrial development. Vaishnaw’s remarks underline the potential of electronics manufacturing to empower women economically while strengthening India’s position in global technology supply chains. The rapid growth of employment at Foxconn’s Bengaluru plant demonstrates the sector’s capacity to absorb large numbers of workers, equip them with new skills, and integrate them into high-tech production environments. The expansion of Foxconn’s operations is also expected to create indirect jobs and stimulate the local economy through ancillary industries and services. As India continues to attract global electronics companies, the sector is poised to provide sustained employment opportunities for women and young workers across multiple states. With government support, strategic investments, and growing global demand, India’s electronics sector is steadily transforming into a hub of blue-collar employment and technological empowerment, offering new opportunities for women and reinforcing the country’s role as a major player in global manufacturing. India’s Electronics Sector Driving Large-Scale Blue-Collar Employment for Women, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw India’s electronics sector is creating a big impact by generating large-scale jobs for women, says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He highlighted Foxconn’s new iPhone assembly plant in Bengaluru, which has already hired nearly 30,000 employees, with around 80% being women. Most of them are first-time workers in the formal sector, aged 19-24. Vaishnaw noted on X, “A women-led mega factory would have been unimaginable just 10 years ago.” He added that the electronics sector is not just creating skilled blue-collar jobs, but also promoting technology transfer, women empowerment, and a better quality of life. The Foxconn plant at Devanahalli started trial production of iPhone 16 models in April-May 2025 and is now assembling iPhone 17 Pro Max, with over 80% of the output meant for exports. Employment at the facility is expected to reach around 50,000 workers by next year, making it the company’s largest unit in India in terms of production and jobs. Foxconn is investing about Rs 20,000 crore in the Devanahalli project, spread across 250,000 square feet. The company already has a major facility in Tamil Nadu employing 41,000 workers and recently announced an additional Rs 15,000 crore investment there, expected to create 14,000 more high-value jobs. With facilities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, Foxconn’s expansion shows India’s growing role in global electronics manufacturing. The sector is not only opening doors for women but also strengthening India’s economy, skills development, and global tech presence.