Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes pulled in Rs. 2.16 lakh crore in investment and pushed India’s electronics manufacturing from $37 billion to more than $115 billion in less than a decade. Still, the factories lack automation. In comparison to South Korea, India’s on-floor robot density per 10,000 workers stands significantly lower. While the number is around 1,220 for the former, the latter is currently at six.
For the manufacturing industry, the number of robots determines how deeply automation is implemented in the country and its systems. According to the 2025 reports, South Korea is leading the race with 1220 robots per 10,000 employees, followed by Singapore with 818 robots. On the list, India’s place is just below China (166).
Talking about this, Prateek Jain, COO and Co-founder of Addverb, revealed, “The future of industrial development will be shaped by productivity, precision and the ability to manufacture at globally competitive levels. Robotics is no longer a factory upgrade. It has become a national competitiveness imperative.”
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Reports say that South Korea mostly relies on its electronics and auto giants like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai to keep its robot density climbing 7% a year. China has taken a different path. Over the past few years, it has invested heavily in AI, robotics, and smart factories. Many production lines now use automated systems to handle repetitive work, improve quality, and increase efficiency. This has helped Chinese factories produce more while keeping costs under control.
India is still building its manufacturing base, and lower labor costs have slowed the shift toward automation. However, as competition grows, factories may need to combine skilled workers with modern machines. This balance could help India become stronger in global manufacturing over the coming years.