Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods (Air Conditioners and LED Lights)

Description
The scheme targets manufacturers of components / sub-assemblies of Air Conditioners & LED Lights and offers 4–6% incentive on incremental sales to boost localization, reduce imports, and build a domestic supply chain. Objective & Scope The objective is to boost domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependence, build a strong component ecosystem for white goods, and position India in the global supply chain. The scheme targets companies that invest in manufacturing components or sub-assemblies for: - Air Conditioners ACs — e.g. compressors, copper tubes, heat exchangers, motors, control assemblies, etc. - LED Lights — e.g. LED chips & packaging, LED drivers, LED engines, light-management systems, and other components in the LED-light value chain. Implementation Period & Financial Outlay - The scheme runs from FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29 - Total approved outlay is Rs 6,238 crore. - Incentives under the scheme are provided for a period of 5 years on incremental sales after one / two year gestation period , over the base year.

Exclusions
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Benefits
• Eligible companies get financial incentives ranging from 4% to 6% — on net incremental sales of goods manufactured in India under the scheme.
• The goal is to significantly raise domestic value addition — from existing ~15–20% to ~75–80%.
• Large incremental production and exports of AC & LED components.
• Creation of substantial employment (direct + indirect) across manufacturing ecosystem.
• Development of a complete “component-to-final-product” ecosystem, reducing dependence on imports.

Eligibility Criteria
1. Incentive under the Scheme shall be provided to Companies making brown field or green field Investments for manufacturing in target segments in India.
2. Eligibility shall be subject to achievement of thresholds of net incremental sales of Eligible Products for the respective financial year over the base year or net incremental sales of eligible products over the base year or FY 2020-21, whichever is higher, as the case may be and cumulative incremental investment in the preceding financial year, which shall not be less than the threshold investment as detailed in Appendix-I or Appendix IA of the Scheme Guidelines, as the case may be.
3. In case an applicant does not meet criteria of threshold investment and threshold net incremental sales for any given year, the applicant shall not be eligible for disbursement of incentive for that particular financial year. However, the applicant will not be restricted from claiming incentive for subsequent years during the tenure of the Scheme, provided eligibility criteria of cumulative committed investment and threshold net incremental sales are met for such subsequent financial years.
4. The incremental sales of eligible products should be commensurate with created production capacity from investments committed under the scheme.
5. For the purpose of determining eligibility of an applicant with respect to incremental investment, the investment covered under any other PLI Scheme of Govt. of India of the Applicant shall not be considered for determining eligibility under this PLI Scheme and vice-versa.
6. In every financial year for which the incentive is claimed, the net sales turnover of eligible products of the selected applicant and its group companies shall not be less than the sum of their net sales turnover of eligible products manufactured in India in the base year for applicants meeting the pre-qualification criteria on the basis of financial attributes of base year and higher of net sales turnover of eligible products in the base year or FY 2020-21, for applicants meeting the pre-qualification criteria on the basis of financial attributes of FY 2020-21; along with the corresponding threshold incremental net sales turnover of the selected applicant as detailed in Appendix-1 or Appendix-IA of the Scheme Guidelines, as the case may be.
7. For applicants opting for initial investment period as 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2023, the first and last year of achieving the required corresponding threshold incremental sales for availing the PLI shall be FY 2023-2024 and FY 2027-28 respectively as detailed in Appendix -IA of the Scheme Guidelines.
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Application Process
Step 1: Application Link: https://pliwg.dpiit.gov.in/
Online
Application Link: https://pliwg.dpiit.gov.in/

Step 2: Step 01: Check Eligibility
Online
Step 01: Check Eligibility

Step 3: Step 02: Prepare Required Documents
Online
Step 02: Prepare Required Documents

Step 4: Step 03: Register on the PLI-WG Online Portal
Online
Step 03: Register on the PLI-WG Online Portal

Step 5: Step 04: Fill the Online Application Form
Online
Step 04: Fill the Online Application Form

Step 6: Step 05: Upload All Required Documents
Online
Step 05: Upload All Required Documents

Step 7: Step 06: Pay the Application Fee
Online
Step 06: Pay the Application Fee

Step 8: Step 07: Submit the Application
Online
Step 07: Submit the Application

Step 9: Step 08: Evaluation by PMA
Online
Step 08: Evaluation by PMA

Step 10: Step 09: Approval by Competent Authority
Online
Step 09: Approval by Competent Authority

Step 11: Step 10: Post-Approval Compliance
Online
Step 10: Post-Approval Compliance

Required Documents
• Document Checklist - [https://pliwg.dpiit.gov.in/docs/Document%20Checklist.pdf](https://pliwg.dpiit.gov.in/docs/Document%20Checklist.pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What financial benefit does the PLI Scheme for White Goods provide
A: It offers 4%–6% incentive on net incremental sales of eligible products over the base year for 5 years.
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Q: How does the scheme support domestic manufacturing?
A: It encourages investment in new manufacturing facilities for AC and LED components, boosting localization and reducing imports.
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Q: Can companies benefit from economies of scale?
A: Yes. Up to 40% of incremental sales of eligible products may be to sectors outside AC/LED, enabling economies of scale.
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Q: Does the scheme support component-level expansion?
A: Yes. Companies can invest in multiple eligible components within a target segment; backward integration investments are also eligible.
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Q: Is captive consumption eligible for incentive?
A: Yes. Captive consumption counts as net sales turnover if at least 60% goes into AC/LED manufacturing.
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Q: When are incentives disbursed?
A: Incentives are disbursed the year after meeting both investment and sales thresholds, provided that the requisite conditions are met
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Q: Who can apply under the PLI White Goods Scheme?
A: Only companies incorporated in India under the Companies Act (2013 or 1956). LLPs cannot apply.
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Q: What are the pre-qualification financial criteria?
A: Minimum Gross Block, Global Revenue, and Net Worth thresholds must be met for each target segment.
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Q: Is an applicant allowed if it benefits from another PLI scheme for the same products?
A: No. Double benefits for the same product across PLI schemes are not allowed
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Q: Where is the application submitted?
A: Applications must be submitted online via the PLI-WG portal.
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Q: What is the application window?
A: The scheme opens applications for specified windows; initial was 15 June–15 Sept 2021 with possible later rounds.
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Q: What is the application fee and payment mode?
A: Rs 1,00,000 to be paid online
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