PLI Scheme 1.2 for Specialty Steel to Boost High-Value Manufacturing Launched

Ø  PLI 1.2 Aligns with PM Modi’s Vision of Global Manufacturing Leadership

·         Scheme launched:
The Government of India launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 1.2 for Specialty Steel at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking a major step to strengthen advanced steel manufacturing.

·         Industry participation:
The launch included the signing of MoUs with industry players, signalling strong private sector confidence in India’s long-term growth.

·         Policy vision:
Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy described PLI 1.2 as a key move to build a resilient, globally competitive specialty steel ecosystem, aligned with Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

·         Investment commitments:

o    85 MoUs signed with 55 companies

o    Committed investment of ₹11,887 crore

·         Capacity expansion:
Projects under PLI 1.2 are expected to add 8.7 million tonnes of specialty steel capacity by FY 2031.

·         Focus segments:
Capacity creation will target high-end steel grades, including electrical steel, alloy and stainless steel, coated products, and steel for strategic applications.

·         Response to industry demand:
The third round of the PLI Scheme was launched due to strong industry response and the need for sustained expansion in specialty steel.

·         Strategic sector support:
The scheme supports downstream sectors such as automobiles, railways, defence, electrical equipment, and aerospace.

·         Incentive structure:
Incentives range from 4% to 15% over a five-year period, encouraging investment, technology upgradation, and value addition.

·         Global value chain integration:
PLI 1.2 aims to integrate Indian manufacturers into global value chains while reducing import dependence and conserving foreign exchange.

·         Track record of earlier rounds:

o    PLI 1.0 and 1.1 saw committed investments of ₹43,874 crore

o    These rounds delivered tangible capacity creation and employment generation

·         Implementation emphasis:
The Minister urged companies to execute projects on time, maximise indigenous technologies and inputs, and strengthen the domestic steel value chain.

Overall takeaway:
PLI Scheme 1.2 builds on earlier successes to accelerate investment, expand capacity, and position India as a global hub for specialty steel manufacturing, reinforcing both economic resilience and strategic self-reliance.

 

[ABS News Service/10.02.2026]

The Government of India launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 1.2 for Specialty Steel, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen high-value manufacturing and reduce import dependence in critical steel grades. The launch, held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, also witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with participating industry players, reflecting robust industry confidence in India’s long-term growth prospects.

Addressing the gathering after the MoU signing ceremony, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H. D. Kumaraswamy underscored that PLI 1.2 is a decisive step towards building a resilient and globally competitive specialty steel ecosystem, fully aligned with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Union Minister noted that the scheme advances the twin national priorities of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic capacity creation in advanced and strategic steel products.

Under PLI Scheme 1.2, 85 MoUs have been signed with 55 companies, committing investments of ₹11,887 crore. These projects are expected to add 8.7 million tonnes of specialty steel capacity by FY 2031, significantly expanding India’s capabilities in high-end steel segments such as electrical steel, alloy and stainless steels, coated products, and grades required for strategic sectors.

The third round of the PLI Scheme has been launched in response to strong industry demand and the need for sustained capacity expansion in specialty steel, which is essential for sectors including automobiles, railways, defence, electrical equipment, and aerospace. With incentive rates ranging from 4% to 15% over a five-year period, the scheme is designed to promote investment, technology upgradation, and value addition while integrating Indian manufacturers into global value chains.

Speaking on the broader impact of the scheme, the Minister highlighted that “PLI 1.2 seeks to address structural gap by incentivising domestic production, conserving foreign exchange, and positioning India as a reliable global supplier of advanced steel”.

Union Minister added in that “the achievements under earlier rounds of the PLI Scheme further reinforce the policy’s effectiveness. Across PLI 1.0 and 1.1, committed investments of ₹43,874 crore have already translated into substantial on-ground progress, including significant capacity creation and employment generation. PLI 1.2 builds on this momentum, deepening the domestic steel ecosystem and strengthening the entire value chain”.

Concluding his address, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy called upon participating companies to implement their projects in a time-bound manner and maximise the use of indigenous technologies and inputs. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to facilitation and timely resolution of operational issues, emphasising that the success of PLI 1.2 will play a pivotal role in India’s journey towards becoming a global hub for specialty steel manufacturing.