India is rapidly strengthening its position as a global manufacturing hub, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme is one of the country’s biggest efforts to achieve this goal. Launched to promote high-value production, attract global companies, and generate employment, the PLI Scheme offers substantial financial incentives to approved industries for increasing their output.

Although the PLI Scheme is implemented at the national level, it creates strong indirect opportunities for states like Assam, especially in supply chain development, warehousing, logistics, packaging, food processing, and component manufacturing. With Guwahati growing as the logistics and commercial centre of the Northeast, the PLI Scheme opens multiple growth avenues for businesses and investors in the region.

This article simplifies the PLI Scheme and explains its relevance for Assam’s industrial growth and how companies can benefit through supporting roles and supply chain participation.

What Is the PLI Scheme?

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India to promote domestic manufacturing. Under this scheme, companies receive financial incentives based on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India.

The aim is to:

• Boost domestic manufacturing
• Reduce imports
• Increase exports
• Strengthen supply chains
• Create large-scale employment
• Encourage global companies to set up production in India

The scheme is sector-specific and currently covers more than a dozen high-value industries.

Why the PLI Scheme Matters for Assam

While Assam is not the primary location for large PLI-approved factories (yet), the scheme creates significant secondary and tertiary opportunities for the state.

Guwahati is already the logistics gateway to Northeast India, and as PLI manufacturing scales nationwide, the demand for:

• Storage
• Distribution
• Packaging
• Raw material supply
• Component manufacturing
• Cold chain infrastructure

increases significantly.

Assam’s geographical position gives it a competitive advantage:

• Proximity to Northeast markets
• Growing consumption patterns
• Access to national supply chains
• Improving connectivity (roads, air cargo, waterways)
• Lower operational costs compared to metro cities

This means Assam can naturally develop as a supporting industrial hub for PLI-driven national production.

Major Sectors Covered Under the PLI Scheme

The Government of India has selected critical sectors with high growth potential. The following sectors under PLI have direct or indirect relevance to Assam:

1. Electronics Manufacturing

The PLI Scheme strongly supports:

• Mobile phone manufacturing
• Electronics components
• Semiconductors
• IT hardware

Assam can benefit by supplying:

• Packaging units
• Plastic and rubber components
• Warehousing for distribution
• Logistic support hubs – especially around Guwahati and Amingaon

2. Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices

India is developing end-to-end drug manufacturing capabilities. Under PLI, incentives are provided for:

• APIs
• KSMs
• Bulk drugs
• Medical devices

Assam’s potential lies in:

Cold storage

• Chemical packaging
• Raw material warehousing
• Rural distribution hubs

3. Food Processing

This is one of Assam’s strongest areas. PLI for Food Processing supports:

• Ready-to-eat food
• Fruits and vegetables
• Marine products
• Dairy, beverages, poultry

Assam already has abundant agricultural produce, making it ideal for:

• Food packaging units
• Processing clusters
• Agro-warehousing
• Cold chain hubs

4. Textiles & Technical Fabrics

PLI encourages:

• Man-made fibre (MMF) fabric
• Technical textiles
• High-value garments

Assam’s traditional textile strengths can expand into:

• Apparel finishing
• Fabric warehouses
• Yarn distribution
• Small garment manufacturing clusters

5. Renewable Energy & Solar Manufacturing

PLI supports:

• High-efficiency solar modules
• Advanced battery cells

This results in increased demand for:

• Warehousing
• Component storage
• Logistics distribution hubs

Assam’s energy sector expansion also benefits.

6. Drones & Drone Components

North-East terrain requires strong drone networks for:

• Agriculture
• Medical supplies
• Disaster response

Assam can support drone logistics, repair centres, and warehousing.

How Assam Can Benefit Even Without PLI Factories

Many businesses in Assam think PLI applies only to large factories — but that’s not true.

Assam gains through:

1. Supply Chain Participation

PLI-approved companies need:

• Packaging
• Plastics & moulded parts
• Rubber components
• Bamboo-based raw materials
• Chemical supplies

Local units can supply these items.

2. Warehousing & Logistics Demand

As national production increases, goods entering and moving through Northeast India require:

• Storage hubs in Guwahati
• Cold chain facilities
• Regional distribution centres
• E-commerce fulfilment centres

This directly boosts Assam’s logistics sector.

3. Vendor Development & MSME Growth

MSMEs in Assam can become:

• Authorized vendors
• Contract manufacturers
• Material suppliers
• Service providers (repair, training, transportation)

This leads to job creation and economic diversification.

4. Rise in Industrial Land Demand

As supply chain networks expand, companies require:

• Industrial plots
• Warehouse-ready land
• Logistics corridor access

This increases demand for land parcels — especially in zones like Amingaon, Changsari, Sonapur, Mirza, and Baihata.

Who Can Apply Under the PLI Scheme?

PLI eligibility depends on the sector-specific guidelines, but in general:

• Companies must meet minimum investment requirements
• They must manufacture products included in the approved list
• They must show incremental production over the base year
• They must operate in compliance with Indian laws

MSMEs usually participate through supply chain partnerships rather than direct PLI applications.

How Jagati Group Supports PLI-Linked Opportunities

Jagati Group plays an important role by providing the infrastructure needed to support PLI-driven industries.

The group offers:

✔ Strategically located land parcels

Ideal for setting up supporting units, warehouses, or processing centres.

✔ Ready-to-lease warehouses

Perfect for logistics operators, distributors, packaging units, suppliers, and e-commerce fulfilment centres.

✔ Guidance in site selection

Based on connectivity, market proximity, and industrial growth zones.

✔ Support with documentation & due diligence

Ensuring smooth transactions for long-term industrial use.

With properties across Guwahati and major industrial pockets of Assam, Jagati Group helps businesses position themselves in the right locations to benefit from PLI-led demand.

Conclusion

The PLI Scheme is transforming India’s manufacturing landscape. While large-scale PLI projects may be located in bigger industrial states, Assam stands to gain significantly through supply chain roles, logistics growth, warehousing demand, packaging units, ancillary manufacturing, and service sector expansion.

As industries and distribution networks grow, demand for strategic land and ready warehouses across Guwahati and Assam will continue to rise. Jagati Group plays a key role in supporting this growth by offering properties that meet the needs of modern industrial and logistics operations.

For investors, MSMEs, and businesses looking to expand their presence in the Northeast, the PLI Scheme presents timely and meaningful opportunities — and Assam is well positioned to benefit from them.