India is aiming to increase its gems and jewellery exports to USD 100 billion by 2040, with the government calling for greater innovation, stronger design capabilities, branding and higher value addition in the sector.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal outlined the target at the Chintan Shivir on the 2040 Roadmap for Gems and Jewellery, organised by the Department of Commerce along with the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council.
India’s gems and jewellery exports stood at around USD 28 billion in 2025-26. The new roadmap aims to more than triple exports over the next 14 years and position India as a major global hub for design-led and value-added jewellery.
Focus on Design and Innovation
Agrawal said innovation, global design leadership and trust will be crucial to achieving the USD 100 billion export target.
He called for the industry to move away from low-margin original equipment manufacturing and focus more on innovative, branded and design-driven products.
The government also wants India’s skilled workforce and traditional craftsmanship to become a stronger competitive advantage in international markets.
Technology to Drive Growth
The roadmap places greater emphasis on new technologies such as artificial intelligence and 3D printing to improve product design, differentiation and manufacturing.
The government also stressed the need to make careers in jewellery craftsmanship more attractive while strengthening skills and human capital across the industry.
India’s history, culture and traditional stories could also be incorporated into jewellery designs to build a stronger global identity for Indian brands.
Crafted in India
The Chintan Shivir focused on increasing value addition and promoting finished, branded and design-led jewellery under the Crafted in India approach.
Director General of Foreign Trade Lav Agarwal said India needs to move higher up the value chain and become a leading global destination for design and value-added jewellery.
GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said new free trade agreements, government policies and support for MSMEs could provide a strong foundation for the sector’s expansion.
Five Priority Missions
The roadmap identified five key areas for growth: global market access, MSME scale-up, faster export and import processes, Crafted by India, and next-generation talent and design.
The government and industry also discussed ways to improve transparency and create technology-driven trust networks across domestic and international markets.
Bigger Manufacturing Ambition
Alongside the export target, the roadmap aims to double the sector’s manufacturing output to around Rs 15 lakh crore and increase its overall economic value to nearly Rs 60 lakh crore.
The sector is projected to contribute around 1.2 per cent of India’s GDP and account for 14 per cent of merchandise exports by 2040.
The government-industry partnership is aimed at strengthening India’s position across the global gems and jewellery value chain while creating internationally recognised Indian jewellery brands.
