PLI Scheme 2025: Fresh Window for White Goods Investors

Government Reopens PLI Scheme Application Window for White Goods (ACs and LED Lights) from September 15

The Government of India has announced the reopening of the application window for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods. The scheme, which covers Air Conditioners (ACs) and LED Lights, will accept applications for a limited period of 30 days, from 15th September 2025 to 14th October 2025. This move gives prospective investors and existing beneficiaries another opportunity to benefit from the scheme’s incentives.

The decision comes amid renewed interest from the industry to expand investments under the PLI framework. Officials explained that the surge in demand for domestic manufacturing of AC and LED components reflects both the growing market and the confidence generated by earlier successes of the scheme.

Same Terms, New Opportunity

The reopened application process will operate under the same terms and conditions that governed the original PLI-WG Scheme. These were notified on 16 April 2021 and further detailed in the guidelines issued on 4 June 2021, with subsequent amendments.

Applicants can submit their proposals only through the government’s official portal at https://pliwg.dpiit.gov.in/. The portal will remain active throughout the 30-day window, but no applications will be entertained after 14 October 2025.

By retaining the existing conditions, the government seeks to ensure transparency and continuity for investors who have already studied or participated in the scheme.

Eligibility for Applicants

The scheme is open to both new applicants and existing beneficiaries. The following categories of participants can apply:

• New investors looking to enter the PLI-WG Scheme for the first time.
• Existing beneficiaries who wish to increase their commitments by moving to a higher investment category.
• Group companies applying under different target segments.

Applicants must comply with the eligibility requirements outlined in Para 5.6 of the Scheme Guidelines and follow the investment schedules listed in Appendix-1 or Appendix-1A, as applicable.

Incentives and Tenure

Incentives will be available for the remainder of the scheme’s tenure, in line with Para 6.4 of the PLI-WG Scheme and Para 9.3 of the Guidelines.

• New applicants and GP-2 beneficiaries (with commitments up to March 2023) will be eligible for incentives for up to two years.
• GP-1 beneficiaries (with commitments up to March 2022) moving to higher categories will be eligible for incentives for one year only.

To safeguard earlier commitments, existing beneficiaries who cannot meet new thresholds will still be allowed to submit claims under their original investment plans. However, this flexibility will be extended only once during the scheme period.

Progress So Far

Since its launch, the PLI-WG Scheme has attracted 83 applicants with committed investments of ₹10,406 crore. These investments aim to establish manufacturing facilities across the complete value chain of AC and LED components.

Crucially, the scheme has spurred production of several components that India had previously imported in large quantities. This shift not only reduces dependence on imports but also strengthens India’s position in the global electronics and appliances market.

Atmanirbhar Bharat Push

The Union Cabinet approved the PLI Scheme for White Goods on 7 April 2021 as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The scheme highlights the government’s strategy of placing manufacturing at the heart of India’s economic growth and job creation.

The scheme has an outlay of ₹6,238 crore and will run over a seven-year period, from FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29. Its objectives include boosting domestic manufacturing, attracting global investments, and making India a competitive hub for high-value components.

How to Apply

Interested companies must submit applications through the official PLI-WG online portal: https://pliwg.dpiit.gov.in/.

• Consolidated Guidelines (October 2023 update): Click here

• Original Scheme Notification (April 2021): Click here

By reopening the application window, the government has offered a crucial opportunity for companies to scale up their investments in AC and LED manufacturing. With demand rising and India’s industrial ecosystem maturing, the scheme is set to play a central role in reducing import dependency, boosting exports, and creating jobs in the electronics sector.