Services Sector Commands 87% Share — Global Confidence in India Strengthens
India is once again firmly on the global investment radar.
Foreign company registrations in India surged to a five-year high in 2025, signaling renewed global confidence in the country’s economic growth, regulatory stability, and expanding market opportunities.
According to data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, 92 overseas companies registered operations in India in 2025 — a sharp rise compared to 53 in 2024.
The last comparable peak was in 2020, when 93 foreign firms entered the Indian market.
Registrations Jump Sharply in 2025
Here’s how the trend unfolded:
- 92 foreign companies registered in 2025
- Up from 53 in 2024
- Compared to 76 in 2021
- Just one short of the 2020 peak (93 registrations)
Most new entities were incorporated in:
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Delhi
- Gujarat
Under the Companies Act, 2013, a foreign company is defined as an entity incorporated outside India that establishes a place of business within the country.
Services Sector Leads the Surge
The biggest story? The overwhelming dominance of the services sector
- 87% of new foreign registrations in 2025 were services firms
- 80 out of 92 new entrants fall under services
- Up from around 81% share in 2024
This includes companies in:
- Business & professional services
- Finance & insurance
- Real estate
- Trading
- Transport & storage
- Communications
- Social services
For logistics and supply chain stakeholders, the strong participation in transport, storage, and trading signals continued integration of India into global value chains.
Manufacturing Sees Revival
While services dominate, industrial registrations are showing early signs of revival.
- Industrial segment accounted for 13% of new entries
- Foreign manufacturing registrations rose to 10 in 2025, up from just 2 in 2024
This could indicate growing interest aligned with India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes and supply chain diversification strategies
Bigger Picture: India’s Expanding Corporate Base
As of December 2025:
- 5,302 foreign companies registered in India
- 5.3% growth compared to 2021
- 3,285 companies (62%) are active
Meanwhile, India’s overall corporate ecosystem is expanding rapidly:
- Active registered companies reached 2.01 million
- Up from 1.80 million a year earlier
What This Means for Logistics & Trade
For freight forwarders, 3PLs, warehouse operators, and logistics tech providers, this trend is significant:
- Increased cross-border trade flows
- Higher demand for compliance and documentation services
- Growth in warehousing and storage infrastructure
- Rising need for digital freight and ERP solutions
- Expansion of global supply chain partnerships
For freight forwarders, 3PLs, warehouse operators, and logistics tech providers, this trend is significant:
