India targets $100 billion in gems and jewellery exports by 2040

India’s gems and jewellery sector is targeting $100 billion in exports by 2040, up from an estimated $28 billion in 2025-26. The roadmap prioritises design-led branded products, MSME scaling, technology adoption, market access and higher value addition under the “Crafted in India” proposition.

— Source published Wed, 19 Aug, 2026, 23:07 IST · First seen Wed, 19 Aug, 2026, 23:22 IST · Source ET Small Business

What happened

Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) · India has set a 2040 target of USD 100 billion in gems and jewellery exports, focusing on design-led branded

Key facts

  • USD 100 billion gems and jewellery export target by 2040
  • USD 28 billion exports in 2025-26
  • 1.2% projected contribution to India's GDP
  • 14% projected share of India's merchandise exports
  • Manufacturing output target of approximately Rs 15 lakh crore
  • Overall economic value target of nearly Rs 60 lakh crore

Why this matters

Corporate development teams should prioritize acquisitions, supplier partnerships and market-access alliances that strengthen design capabilities, scalable manufacturing and overseas channel reach.

What to watch

  • Progress on trade agreements and tariff treatment with the EU, UK and US.
  • Share of branded and finished jewellery in total exports versus loose stones and low-value manufacturing.
  • Gold-price direction, consumer financing availability and wedding-demand resilience in key export markets.
  • Adoption of traceability standards, digital product passports and responsible-sourcing requirements.
  • Lab-grown diamond pricing, export mix and margin trends relative to natural diamonds.
  • MSME access to credit, technology upgrades and skilled jewellery-design labor.
  • Export-market concentration trends and growth in direct-to-consumer Indian jewellery brands abroad.
  • Increase investment in proprietary collections, design studios and premium brand architecture rather than only manufacturing capacity.
  • Build end-to-end provenance, hallmarking, product-passport and ESG compliance capabilities for US and European buyers.
  • Use omnichannel expansion and diaspora-focused stores or partnerships to test branded Indian jewellery in export markets.
  • Consolidate MSME supplier networks through shared technology, financing, procurement and export-compliance platforms.
  • Expand lab-grown diamond, recycled gold and lightweight daily-wear assortments to hedge changing consumer preferences and gold affordability.
  • Prioritize trade-corridor strategies for the US, UAE, EU, UK and emerging diaspora markets, with localized product and pricing.