Which Products Have Very High Demand in India (2025): Data-Led List and How to Choose

If you came here asking which products are flying off shelves in India right now, you want a clear, current answer you can use. India is buying more, but not everything grows at the same pace. Heat, income shifts, policy moves, and how people shop online all shape demand. I’ll give you the short list, the why behind it, and a simple way to pick a product that fits your budget and risk.

TL;DR

• If you are hunting for high demand products in India in 2025, focus on: affordable electronics (sub-₹15k phones, smartwatches, TWS), cooling (ACs, coolers), rooftop solar kits, EV two-wheeler parts, everyday FMCG (snacks, staples, dairy value-add), derma skincare/sunscreen, baby and pet care, home improvement, and B2B packaging.
• Why now: heatwaves, urbanization, UPI-led e-commerce, policy pushes (PLI for electronics, rooftop solar subsidies, toy quality rules), and a housing upcycle.
• Start where GST is ≤18%, compliance is simple, and unit weight is low. Keep landed cost ≤40% of MRP. Expect 10-25% returns in fashion, 3-5% in small electronics.
• Quick demand checks: Google Trends (India), marketplace best-seller ranks, NPCI UPI volume, Vahan EV registrations, MNRE rooftop dashboard, NielsenIQ FMCG volume.
• Risks: sudden import restrictions/QCOs, BIS/FSSAI non-compliance, heat-driven seasonality for cooling, and platform fee changes.

What is in very high demand in India right now (and why)

India’s demand in 2025 is a story of basics getting better, tech getting cheaper, and policy shaping supply. Here’s the data-led shortlist with price bands, taxes, and watch-outs. I’m keeping it plain so you can act.

• Entry and mid smartphones (especially 5G under ₹15,000): Shipments recovered through 2024 and into 2025, with 5G share above 65% by units. Strong replacement demand beyond metros. Source: IDC, Counterpoint device trackers 2024.
• Wearables and hearables: Smartwatches and TWS earbuds keep compounding from a high base as local brands dominate value price points. India has been the top smartwatch market by shipments since 2023. Source: Counterpoint Wearables, 2024.
• Cooling products: Split ACs (1-1.5 ton, 3-4 star), coolers, and inverter fans. Heatwaves in 2024 pushed double-digit value growth, and early summer 2025 restocked inventory faster. ACs carry 28% GST; coolers and fans usually 18%. Source: IMD heat alerts 2024, industry channel checks.
• Rooftop solar kits: Panels, inverters, wiring, mounting, and home batteries. Subsidies under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana target 10 million households, driving strong inquiries and orders across Tier-2/3 towns. Source: MNRE, 2024 scheme notes.
• EV two-wheeler ecosystem: Entry e-scooters, low-speed fleet vehicles, batteries, chargers, and tyres. Registrations crossed the million mark in FY24, with policy tweaks but steady adoption for delivery and personal commute. Source: Vahan dashboard, 2024.
• FMCG staples and snacks: Biscuits, salty snacks, instant noodles, and edible oil packs sized for value. Rural volume began recovering in late 2024. Watch pack-price architecture and shrinkflation limits. Source: NielsenIQ 2024.
• Dairy value-add: Cheese, yogurt, paneer, and flavored milk. Cold chain extends reach; brand trust matters. Food inflation can pinch margins, so price hedging helps. Source: NDDB and company filings.
• Spices and blended masalas: Steady at home and strong in exports. Quality, consistency, and adulteration checks (e.g., ethylene oxide concerns) are key. Source: Spices Board, 2024 advisories.
• Derma skincare: Sunscreens, niacinamide/ceramide face care, anti-pollution cleansers. Heat and UV index awareness boosted sunscreen. Label accuracy and SPF validation matter. Source: Dermatology clinics and retail scans 2024.
• Baby care: Diapers, wipes, rash creams, feeding bottles. Premiumization in metros; value packs in Tier-2. Hygiene and safety certifications are non-negotiable. Source: Euromonitor category reports, 2024.
• Pet care: Kibble, wet food, treats, litter, grooming. Pet ownership grew fast post-2020. Strong D2C play with subscription bundles. Source: Industry estimates, Euromonitor 2024.
• Home improvement: Paints, plywood/laminates, modular kitchen hardware, LED lights. Housing cycle and renovations push steady demand. Energy-efficient LEDs remain a staple. Source: Real estate quarterly releases 2024.
• B2B packaging: Corrugated boxes, mailers, tapes, and eco-friendly disposables. E-commerce and D2C growth keep box makers busy; single-use plastic rules push paper and bagasse. Source: PWM Rules 2016 (amended), 2022 SUP ban.
• Affordable furniture and storage: Flat-pack racks, foldable tables, shoe cabinets, and WFH desks. Lightweight formats lower shipping costs and returns. Source: Marketplace category data patterns.
• Water purifiers and filters: RO+UV for metros, gravity filters for rural. Summer spikes; AMC creates annuity. Check BIS and local water TDS realities. Source: BIS standards, local utility reports.
• Affordable appliances: 190-210L refrigerators, 6-7kg washing machines, induction cooktops. Price-sensitive buyers prefer serviceable, spare-friendly models. GST ranges 18-28% depending on product. Source: Industry price lists, 2024.
• Low-cost apparel basics: Innerwear, athleisure, cotton-blend tees, kurtas. Fashion is high-return, but basics with tight sizing and fabric quality sustain. Lean on repeat buys. Source: Marketplace return analytics.
• Medical home devices: Glucometers, BP monitors, thermometers, nebulizers. India has over 100 million people with diabetes. Accuracy and strip costs decide loyalty. Source: ICMR 2023 diabetes study.
• Educational toys and kits: STEM sets, puzzles, building blocks. Import rules and quality control orders lifted local players. Comply with BIS. Source: Toys QCO 2020, BIS marks.
• Smart home basics: Wi-Fi plugs, LED strips, basic CCTV/camera doorbells. Feature-lite, value SKUs move fastest. Watch BIS and radio compliance. Source: MeitY/WPC guidelines.

Use the snapshot below to match category demand with taxes, timing, and common risks.

Notes on taxes and rules that move markets:

• ACs sit at 28% GST and need BEE labels; fridges and washers are 18% with BEE norms. Source: GST schedules; BEE.
• Food, baby, and skincare need FSSAI or Cosmetics rules compliance. OTC claims are tightly watched. Source: FSSAI, Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.
• Electronics often need BIS certification and, for wireless, WPC clearance. Source: BIS CRS; WPC (DoT).
• Toys require BIS under the Toys Quality Control Order. Source: DPIIT QCO 2020.
• Packaging must follow Plastic Waste Management Rules and EPR if you use plastics or sell batteries/e-waste. Source: CPCB EPR.

How to pick a product for India’s 2025 demand (simple playbook)

Don’t pick by vibes. Use a quick, repeatable method that keeps you out of trouble and in margin.

1. Start with the 3C test: Category, Customer, Compliance.
   • Category: Is the search trend rising for 12+ months? Are top sellers still in stock or constantly sold out?
   • Customer: Can you describe a buyer by city tier, age, and budget? If not, it’s too broad.
   • Compliance: Does it need BIS/FSSAI/BEE? If yes, do you have a path to approvals?
2. Run fast demand checks (60 minutes max):
   • Google Trends India: 24 months, compare 2-3 product keywords.
   • Amazon/Flipkart: Best Seller Rank, review counts, price bands, return complaints.
   • Vahan (for EV), MNRE (rooftop), NPCI (UPI growth) as macro tailwinds.
   • NielsenIQ/ICMR headlines for FMCG and health sizing.
3. Score your short list (out of 10 each): Demand momentum, competition gap, compliance complexity, GST burden, shipping weight, return risk.
   • Pick items scoring 7+ on demand and 7+ on logistics friendliness.
4. Do unit economics on napkin, then in a sheet:
   • Landed unit cost (LUC) = Ex-factory price + freight + duty + GST (non-creditable parts) + packaging.
   • Marketplace take rate (commission + payment + ads) can be 12-25% depending on category.
   • Logistics: 5-12% of MRP for small, 12-18% for bulky.
   • Returns write-off: 3-5% electronics, 10-25% fashion.
   • Rule: Keep LUC ≤40% of MRP; aim gross margin ≥55% before ad spend, so you can spend 10-15% on acquisition and still net profit.
5. Check GST and invoicing fit:
   • Prefer categories at 12-18% GST to keep sticker shock low.
   • If you can claim input credit cleanly (manufacturing/wholesale), higher GST can be okay.
6. Compliance sanity check (pick your lane):
   • Food/baby/skincare: FSSAI license and labeling; Cosmetics under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules; avoid therapeutic claims unless approved.
   • Electronics: BIS CRS; if it emits/receives radio, WPC. Follow e-waste EPR if applicable.
   • Appliances/AC/refrigerators: BEE star label norms, safety standards.
   • Toys: BIS and age warnings per QCO.
7. Pilot with 3-5 SKUs, not 30:
   • Depth over breadth. Buy small, sell fast, collect returns data, iterate.
   • Use one warehouse near your top 3 cities to keep delivery times under 3 days.
8. Craft pricing by band, not by dream:
   • Phones/wearables: Good-better-best ladders at ₹999, ₹1,499, ₹1,999.
   • FMCG: Hero packs at ₹5-10, value packs at ₹20-50 for rural; family packs ₹99-199 in cities.
   • Appliances: Hit common EMI thresholds (e.g., ₹1,999/month x 12).
9. Lock your channel mix early:
   • Tier-2/3: COD still matters; keep COD share under 60% to limit RTO losses. Use address QC and OTP verification.
   • Metros: Push prepaid with UPI and wallet cashbacks. UPI does 10B+ monthly transactions. Source: NPCI 2024.
   • B2B and govt: GeM is useful for bulk essentials if you clear specs. Source: GeM dashboard.

Heuristics that save money:

• RTO rate rule: If RTOs cross 18% for 2 weeks, pause COD in the affected pin codes. Fix address validation and courier mapping first.
• Weight rule: If volumetric weight doubles actual weight, redesign packaging. Air freight charges on volume, not just kilos.
• Seasonality buffer: For heat-driven SKUs (ACs, coolers, sunscreen), do not hold more than 45 days of inventory after mid-June.
• After-sales rule: If a product needs service inside 30 days of install, have a city partner or avoid the SKU.
• Review math: 1,000 real reviews often means 10,000-20,000 units sold. A 30-day spike with few reviews may be discount-led and fade.

Checklists, examples, FAQ, and next steps

Here’s the practical stuff you can print or paste into your plan.

10-point product viability checklist

• Search trend rising for 12 months
• 3+ competitors with steady stock, not clearance
• GST ≤18% or clean ITC path
• BIS/FSSAI/others clear or achievable
• Landed unit cost ≤40% of MRP
• Logistics cost ≤12% of MRP
• Returns risk in your control (size, fragility)
• At least one moat (design, formula, bundle, warranty)
• Supplier lead time ≤30 days or local backup
• Support load manageable (tickets/order ≤0.2)

Supplier vet quick checklist

• Three references who shipped on time in last 90 days
• Latest test reports for standards (BIS/FSSAI/WPC/BEE as needed)
• QC photos/videos of the last batch, not catalog shots
• Penalty clause for late delivery and defect rate >2%
• MoQ low enough to test (ideally ≤300 units for consumer goods)

Launch kit (week 0-4)

1. List 3-5 SKUs with clear photos and one-line benefits in plain language
2. Price with laddering and a single top-seller target
3. Set COD smart rules; auto-cancel unverified orders
4. Run a small ad test: 70% search intent, 30% social
5. Track: CTR, conversion, return reason, star rating, top 5 reviews
6. Fix the top 2 complaints before scaling spend

Examples: picking by buyer and region

• Tier-2 heat belt (Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur): Air coolers at ₹5k-₹9k with copper motors; sunscreen at SPF 50, 50 ml; RO service kits with local install partners.
• Metro young households (Bengaluru, Pune): Smart plugs, LED strips; derma skincare combos; compact modular shelves that fit small flats.
• Value-first rural clusters: ₹5-₹10 snack packs; gravity water filters; entry smartphones on EMI; agri-adjacent solar lanterns.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Ignoring QCOs and BIS: one notice can wipe your stock.
• Buying heavy SKUs without damage-proof packaging and insurance.
• Relying only on discount-led sales spikes; watch repeat rate.
• Underestimating service needs for appliances and purifiers.
• Expanding catalog too fast; stick to a hero SKU until reviews stick.

Mini-FAQ

• What sells fast with low budget? Phone accessories under ₹499, TWS at ₹799-₹1,299 with BIS/WPC, LED bulbs/strips, derma minis, pet treats. Light, low GST, and low breakage.
• Which categories to avoid early? High-claim health products, anything needing complex certification you don’t have, bulky items with 28% GST unless you have service reach.
• How do I check seasonality? Look at 3 years of Google Trends around summer and festivals. For ACs and coolers, plan for March-June peaks, then taper.
• Is ONDC worth it? Useful for hyperlocal categories like groceries, dairy, and pharmacy. Margins are tight; winning is about supply SLA and accurate stock.
• What about margins? Target ≥55% gross before ads on D2C. On marketplaces, 40-45% can work if returns are low and shipping is cheap.
• Any 2025 policy shifts to watch? Rooftop solar subsidy rollout pace; EV support at state level; evolving QCOs in electronics and toys; EPR for packaging/batteries.

Decision guide (quick):

• If you need speed to market: start with accessories, derma skincare, or packaged snacks (simple compliance, low weight).
• If you have after-sales muscle: add water purifiers, entry fridges, or washing machines in target cities.
• If you want B2B stability: corrugated boxes, tapes, eco disposables for local D2C brands.
• If you can ride policy: rooftop solar BoS kits; EV 2W spares for fleet operators.

Next steps

• Manufacturer: Pick two categories where you already meet a standard (BIS/FSSAI). Create one hero SKU with a 12-month warranty and supply 45-day buffers for summer peaks.
• Importer: Confirm QCO and BIS before booking. Hedge currency for 90 days. Land 20% sample batch, test returns, then scale.
• Reseller/aggregator: Source from 3 suppliers for the same SKU to avoid stock-outs. Ask for shelf-damaged stock at discount to boost margins.
• D2C founder: Build a simple PDP: top 3 benefits, 3 real photos, 2 FAQs, 1 clear returns policy. Offer UPI-first and COD with OTP.

Troubleshooting

• Demand stalls after week 3: Check search share of voice and price rank. Switch hero image, rewrite title with exact buyer terms, and test a ₹50 price drop.
• Returns spike: Map by courier and pin code. Add size charts/videos for apparel; add install video for appliances; improve outer packaging corners.
• CAC too high: Pause broad ads. Run retargeting on PDP viewers, and test marketplaces’ native ads at low ACoS. Bundle accessories for AOV lift.
• Supplier delays: Split POs, offer early-payment discount for on-time delivery, and keep a local backup for 20% demand.
• Compliance notice: Stop sales of affected SKUs, inform platform, contact a certified lab, and run a corrective action plan you can show in writing.

Quick sources to keep handy

• IDC/Counterpoint for phones and wearables trends
• IMD for heat alerts that move cooling categories
• MNRE for rooftop solar subsidy progress
• Vahan for EV registrations by state
• NPCI for UPI scale (a proxy for digital buy comfort)
• NielsenIQ for FMCG volumes
• ICMR for health device prevalence
• BIS, FSSAI, BEE, WPC, CPCB for standards and EPR

If you stick to rising categories, respect the red lines on standards, and keep your unit economics honest, you won’t go far wrong. India’s buyers are value-smart and fast to reward clear benefits at the right price. Pick a lane, ship small, learn fast, and scale what sticks.