Information & Technology

Robotics Adoption in Indian Manufacturing Grows 30% YoY

• By Amol S
• 2025-05-07

The manufacturing sector in India is rapidly changing as businesses in the general, automotive, and electronics sectors adopt automation at a never-before-seen rate. A 54% increase over 2021, India installed a record 4,945 industrial robots in 2022 alone, putting the nation in the top 10 globally for yearly robot deployments. In 2024, robotics adoption in India is expected to have increased by 30% annually, driven by government initiatives supporting Industry 4.0, expanding labor costs, and an increasing need for precise production. This acceleration improves quality and efficiency while also putting Indian producers in a better position to compete internationally.

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India installed 4,771 new industrial robots in 2018, up 39% from 3,412 units in 2017 and 30% more than the 2,627 units installed in 2016, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). These numbers highlight India's faster adoption, which stands in contrast to the 11% global CAGR in yearly robot installations between 2014 and 2019. In terms of yearly robot installations, India came in at number eleven globally in 2018. Furthermore, India's robot sales increased at a compound annual growth rate of 18% between 2012 and 2017, which was higher than the global average of 13% during that time. In India, 44% of robot installations occurred in the automotive sector in 2018. The general industries, which include metals, rubber and plastics, and electrical and electronic sectors, had a 28% increase in robot utilization. The non-automotive manufacturing sectors are notably catching up quickly, as evidenced by the strong 46% increase in general industry robot installations in 2017. With only 5 robots per 10,000 workers in 2018, India's robot density (robots per 10,000 employees) is still below the global average of 113, but the higher growth rates suggest a slow increase in the near future.  This significant increase in installations is consistent with the blog's headline, as India's manufacturing industry uses automation to increase quality, productivity, and global competitiveness. In 2024, robotics adoption is expected to increase by 30% annually.

India Ranks 10th Globally with 54% Surge in Robot Installations, Driving Manufacturing Efficiency

India's quick adoption of industrial robotics has significantly increased its manufacturing competitiveness and propelled it into the top 10 countries in the world for yearly robot installations. With a 54% year-over-year increase from 3,215 units in 2021 to a record 4,945 units in 2022, India now ranks 10th globally in terms of yearly installations of industrial robots. India's operating robot stock more than doubled over the last five years, reaching 33,220 units in 2021, representing an average annual growth rate of 16% since 2016.

The automotive industry continues to be the largest user, accounting for 31% of installations with 1,547 units (+108%) in 2021. However, non-automotive industries are catching up, with installations of rubber and plastics increasing 27% to 246 units and the electrical/electronics sector increasing 98% to 215 robots. Even though there are only 5 robots per 10,000 workers, which is far less than the global average of 113, India's recent 30% year-over-year growth in 2024 shows how rapidly automation is advancing in the country and positions its USD 443.9 billion manufacturing value added base for increased productivity and quality improvements.

Automotive Drives Automation as India Adds 4,945 Robots in 2021

India's quick rise in industrial robots highlights how it has developed into a significant center for automated production. India installed a record 4,945 industrial robots in 2021, up 54% from the previous year and ranking ninth in the world for yearly deployments. Its operational robot stock more than quadrupled to 33,220 units over the preceding five years, expanding at an average annual rate of sixteen percent. India's major industries are propelling this robotics growth, and the country is the fifth-largest manufacturing economy in the world, with manufacturing value added rising 21.6% to $443.9 billion in 2021. 31% of robot installations were in the automotive sector alone, which more than doubled its fleet to 1,547 units. Strong adoption was also seen in the metals, rubber & plastics, and electrical/electronics sectors. India's manufacturing scene is becoming more productive, high-quality, and globally competitive due to the spike in robot utilization, which is expected to increase by 30% annually by 2024.