Archive · 30 Sep 2026
India’s Manufacturing Workforce Tops 21 Million as Factories Grow
The Annual Survey of Industries measures factories across India.
It found that more people worked in registered factories in 2024-25.
The workforce grew to about 21 million people.
Factory workers collectively received higher wages and other payments.
Factories also produced more goods than they did the year before.
The value added by manufacturing grew to Rs 26.94 lakh crore.
Profits increased as well, though value-added growth was slower than in the previous year.
Tamil Nadu had the most factories, while Maharashtra contributed the largest share of manufacturing value.
Manufacturing employment rose 7.19% to 21 million in 2024-25, from 19 million a year earlier.
Total workforce emoluments increased 12.08% to Rs 8.03 lakh crore.
Industrial output grew 7.81%, while gross value added rose 9.59% to Rs 26.94 lakh crore.
Net profit increased 7.73% to Rs 11.55 lakh crore, although GVA growth slowed from 11.89% in 2023-24.
Tamil Nadu had the most establishments, while Maharashtra led states in manufacturing GVA share; the top five states contributed over 54% of GVA.
- Who
- India’s registered manufacturing sector, its workforce, and factories covered by the Annual Survey of Industries.
- What
- Employment, emoluments, production, gross value added, and net profits increased in 2024-25; the headline also reports a 2.6% rise in factories.
- When
- The 2024-25 financial year, with data released after an approximately one-year lag.
- Where
- Across India, including factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948.
- Why
- The reported increases indicate continued expansion in industrial activity, supported by higher investment, employment growth, and value addition.
- Manufacturing employment
- 21 million persons engaged in 2024-25, up 7.19% from 19 million in 2023-24.
- Total emoluments
- Rs 8.03 lakh crore, up 12.08%.
- Output growth
- Industrial output increased 7.81%.
- Gross value added
- GVA rose 9.59% to Rs 26.94 lakh crore.
- Net profit
- Net profit increased 7.73% to Rs 11.55 lakh crore.
- Leading state by establishments
- Tamil Nadu, with 41,221 establishments, followed by Gujarat with 33,084 and Maharashtra with 27,379.
- Top five states by GVA
- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh together accounted for more than 54% of manufacturing GVA.