India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest automobile market, marking a major milestone for the country’s manufacturing and mobility sector.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, credited the achievement to India’s growing production capacity, rising domestic demand, and sustained policy support for localisation and innovation.

The country’s vehicle sales and manufacturing output have surged in recent years, positioning it just behind China and the United States.

According to industry estimates, India’s automobile sector supports over 37 million jobs and contributes more than 7 per cent to the national GDP, underscoring its vital role in the nation’s industrial progress.