India Cable Market Size and Forecast by Cable Type, Conductor Material, Insulation Type, Voltage Range, Installation, and Application: 2019-2033

India Cable Market Outlook

India cable market is poised for robust expansion, with its size projected to reach approximately $25.02 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. As per David Gomes, Manager – Semiconductor, this surge reflects the country’s aggressive investment in electrification, data connectivity, urban infrastructure, manufacturing growth, and transition to renewable energy. Cables form the foundational infrastructure across diverse sectors including power distribution, EVs, data centers, telecom networks, railways, construction, and oil & gas. With the Indian government committing over $1.4 trillion under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and a planned rollout of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, the demand for advanced and durable cable systems is surging across the subcontinent.

Electrification continues to be one of the primary demand drivers. Rural electrification under the Saubhagya Scheme and smart grid projects across urban regions are propelling the uptake of LT (low tension) and HT (high tension) power cables. Moreover, India’s renewable energy push—especially solar and wind—demands UV-resistant, flame-retardant, and weatherproof cables with high conductivity and minimal transmission loss. These technical requirements are leading cable manufacturers like KEI Industries, Polycab, Havells, and RR Kabel to invest heavily in XLPE-insulated, FRLS, and solar cables that cater to utility-scale and rooftop installations. In fact, RR Kabel recently announced the commissioning of a new 100-acre cable plant in Gujarat, targeting both export markets and domestic smart city projects.

The digitization of India’s economy is another powerful growth catalyst. The rollout of 5G services across all districts by 2025 and the BharatNet Phase-II project are driving demand for optical fiber cables (OFC) to support high-speed, low-latency internet across rural and urban landscapes. As per David Gomes, India’s OFC demand is projected to rise by 14–16% annually through 2028, especially with new submarine cable landings in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi enhancing global bandwidth. Leading players like Sterlite Technologies and HFCL are expanding their OFC capacity, while government-owned BSNL is investing in nationwide fiberization of telecom towers, creating a sustainable pull for specialty cables.

Simultaneously, India's transportation and logistics modernization—spanning metro rail projects, national highway expansions, smart airports, and railway electrification—is creating sustained demand for control cables, signaling cables, and instrumentation wires. Indian Railways' mission to achieve 100% electrification by 2030 is expected to generate high-volume orders for overhead conductors, dropper wires, and axle counter cables, with companies like Finolex and Universal Cables actively bidding on EPC tenders in this space.

Energy transition and sustainability are shaping the next generation of cable systems. There is rising adoption of green cables compliant with RoHS and REACH standards. Industrial buyers are increasingly prioritizing low-smoke zero halogen (LSZH) cables, essential for safety in enclosed environments like commercial buildings, tunnels, and underground substations. The government’s push for green building norms and LEED-certified infrastructure is also catalyzing demand for cables with superior thermal performance, recyclability, and resistance to chemical degradation. Companies are actively shifting to automated and AI-enabled quality inspection systems to ensure precision manufacturing and global certifications.

Despite the positive trajectory, challenges persist. The Indian cable market continues to grapple with raw material volatility, especially in copper and aluminum, and price competition from unorganized players that compromise on safety and quality. Additionally, counterfeit and non-compliant cable sales in tier-2 and tier-3 markets pose a serious safety hazard. Regulatory bodies like BIS and CEA are ramping up compliance checks, and government initiatives like Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) are expected to enforce stringent quality mandates. As per David Gomes, the next phase of market expansion will favor players who invest in R&D, end-to-end manufacturing integration, and customized cable solutions for emerging technologies like electric vehicles, AI-powered buildings, and Industry 4.0 automation.

As India transitions toward a digitally connected, electrified, and green economy, cables will remain the silent enablers of this transformation. From metro corridors in urban clusters to rooftop solar setups in rural Bihar, the cable industry is deeply embedded in the nation’s infrastructure roadmap. Strategic investments in capacity expansion, compliance with global safety standards, and localization of specialized compounds and jacketing materials will help Indian players secure long-term competitiveness in the global supply chain.

Authors: David Gomes (Manager – Semiconductor)

*Research Methodology: This report is based on DataCube’s proprietary 3-stage forecasting model, combining primary research, secondary data triangulation, and expert validation. [Learn more]

India Cable Market Scope