India’s battery industry is entering a major growth phase and could generate 1.5–2 million jobs by FY30, according to talent solutions company Adecco India. As the sector expands, it is shifting from an import-dependent assembly model toward a fully integrated ecosystem covering battery cells, packs, manufacturing and recycling. Adecco India Director and Head of General Staffing Deepesh Gupta said the industry is moving rapidly from importing and assembling lithium-ion cells to establishing domestic battery manufacturing capabilities.
Battery Manufacturing to Drive Employment Growth
According to Adecco India, the battery sector could create 1.5–2 million jobs by 2030, with approximately 25% comprising direct employment and 75% indirect employment. Meanwhile, hiring in the sector is expected to grow by 25–30% annually. Adecco India based its assessment on inputs from more than 30 clients operating in the Indian market. As the industry becomes more sophisticated, recruitment will increasingly focus on specialised professionals in electrochemistry, materials science, battery engineering, advanced manufacturing and battery recycling.
India Expands Domestic Battery Capacity
India’s battery manufacturing capacity currently stands at around 60 GWh and could approach 100 GWh by the end of 2026, according to Adecco India. Furthermore, upcoming gigafactory investments in Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana and Telangana are expected to strengthen the domestic manufacturing ecosystem. “With battery manufacturing capacity currently at around 60 GWh and expected to approach 100 GWh by the end of 2026, along with upcoming gigafactory investments in Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana and Telangana, the sector is moving beyond assembly and building the depth of a full industrial ecosystem,” said Gupta.
Battery Industry Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat
The localisation of battery manufacturing also supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by reducing dependence on imported cells and refined materials. Government initiatives, including the Critical Minerals Mission and India’s participation in the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework, are expected to further support domestic supply chains. Consequently, employment opportunities are likely to expand across established manufacturing centres as well as emerging Tier II and Tier III industrial corridors.
Battery Engineering Skills Command Premium Salaries
The growth of lithium battery manufacturing is also expected to reshape India’s green manufacturing workforce. According to Adecco India, lithium battery manufacturing could account for 50–60% of India’s projected green manufacturing jobs by 2030. Moreover, professionals with specialised battery engineering skills could command 35–40% salary premiums compared with conventional manufacturing and electronics roles. This trend highlights the growing importance of advanced technical skills as battery technologies become more complex.
PLI Scheme Boosts Advanced Cell Manufacturing
India is also translating its battery manufacturing ambitions into large-scale plant capacity. Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC), the government has committed ₹18,100 crore to develop 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity. An additional 5 GWh has been reserved for niche battery chemistries. As manufacturing expands, the Cell Manufacturing and Battery Components segment is expected to account for the largest share of sector hiring, at approximately 42–45%. Overall, India’s transition toward a domestic battery value chain is expected to create not only large-scale employment but also demand for highly specialised technical talent. As reported by HR World, the combination of gigafactory investments, government incentives, localisation and recycling infrastructure could therefore make batteries a major driver of India’s green manufacturing economy by 2030.
