The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the global economy, and India’s manufacturing sector was no exception. The “Make in India” initiative, launched to transform India into a global manufacturing hub, faced several challenges during the pandemic, including disrupted supply chains, labor shortages, and policy adjustments. However, the pandemic also created unique opportunities, such as the acceleration of digital transformation, the push for self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), and a renewed focus on local production. This paper examines these opportunities and challenges and provides a comprehensive analysis of the implications for the “Make in India” initiative. The study analyzes pre-COVID, during COVID, and post-COVID data to assess the sector's performance, with a focus on government policies, supply chain management, and domestic production capabilities.
Keywords:COVID-19, Make in India, Manufacturing, Opportunities, Challenges, Self-Reliance, Supply Chain, Industrial Policy, Economic Recovery, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital Transformation