INDIAS ELECTRONICS SECTOR: GROWTH TRENDS, E-WASTE PROJECTIONS, AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

The electronics industry in India has seen extraordinary growth over the last decade. While contributing positively to economic development, job creation, and technological innovations, the exponential expansion of the countrys electronics industry has led to a significant increase in electronic waste (e-waste), presenting grave challenges for the environment, resource management, and public health. In the face of the rapid growth of the electronics sector and the surge in e-waste generation, a thorough understanding of the trends is crucial for evidence-based policies and sustainable e-waste management initiatives. This study examines the growth trajectory of Indias electronics sector and analyses its implications for the present and future e-waste generation. To offer a comprehensive understanding of the sectors trajectory, the study examines long-term trends in the growth and consumption of electronics, manufacturing, trade, and key policies shaping its development. The study further leverages forecasting models, implemented in RStudio using historical data, to forecast future e-waste generation, facilitating a deeper understanding of the magnitude and implications of the anticipated increase. Based on the outcome of the model evaluation, the Exponential Trend model has been adopted as the primary forecasting model for this study. The projection of the trend trends to offer valuable insights into the future trajectory of e-waste generation and underscores the need for stronger and more sustainable e-waste management systems.