India’s steel industry is working on developing specialised high-grade steel for automobile components to curb the sector’s long-standing dependence on imports, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy said on Thursday. High-grade steel is not only vital for the auto industry but also for defence and other strategic sectors. With large infrastructure projects driving demand, the focus on domestic production has become more urgent.
Speaking at the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the minister highlighted that under the PLI Auto Scheme, companies have invested ₹29,576 crore in new facilities and advanced technologies by March 2025. This initiative has also generated thousands of direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, supply chains, and R&D.
Mr Kumaraswamy assured automakers that the government will fully support their needs, with the steel ministry playing a proactive role in enabling the “Make in India” mission. “The industry is moving towards developing specialised grades of steel essential for auto components, so dependence on imports can be eliminated,” he said in a video message.
He further noted that while government policies create an enabling environment, innovation must come from industry, research institutions, and startups. “We are working closely with automakers, technology providers, and energy companies to ensure India achieves its sustainability targets and emerges as a global exporter of green mobility solutions,” he added.
The minister urged stakeholders to take bold steps, adopt innovation, and position India as a leader in sustainable mobility worldwide. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components, approved in 2021 with an outlay of ₹25,938 crore, continues to play a central role in this transformation.
