DGFT Connects DPIIT-Recognised Startups to Global Trade Ecosystem via ‘Source - 7th August 2026 - Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Gazette Notification PDF
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 7th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued Trade Notice no. 16 on August 06, 2026, expanding the "Source from India" feature on the Trade Connect ePlatform to include DPIIT-recognised startups. This initiative aims to provide international visibility to innovative Indian exporters by allowing them to create digital microsites for global buyer discovery. Effective immediately, the move includes relaxed eligibility criteria for early-stage startups to promote technology-led exports and support India’s emergence as a global innovation hub.
Key Points / Main Content
Expanded Eligibility for Startups
DPIIT-recognised startups are now eligible to use the "Source from India" service on the official Trade Connect ePlatform.
Startups will be identified by a unique "Start-up Badge" on the platform to make them easily discoverable by overseas buyers.
The initiative allows startups to create dedicated digital microsites to showcase products and capabilities directly to international markets.
Relaxed Criteria for Early-Stage Exporters
A special onboarding provision enables startups to create profiles even if they do not meet standard export performance criteria.
Eligibility for this provision requires an active Import Export Code (IEC) that is not listed on the Denied Entity List (DEL).
Onboarding for these startups remains subject to verification via the DGFT IEC database.
Platform Functionality and Support
The Trade Connect ePlatform serves as a single-window interface for trade-related services, institutional support, and market intelligence.
Startups already registered on Trade Connect with linked, eligible IECs will automatically see the option to create microsites on their dashboards.
A detailed user guide has been issued by the government to facilitate seamless registration and profile creation for new users.
Impact Analysis
DPIIT-Recognised StartupsImpact
Startups gain enhanced global visibility and direct access to international buyers through an official government-verified marketplace. They benefit from a waiver of standard export performance requirements, allowing even early-stage enterprises to enter the global trade ecosystem.
Action Required
Eligible startups must ensure they have an active IEC (not on the DEL) and use the Trade Connect dashboard or the provided user guide to register and create their digital microsites.
International BuyersImpact
Buyers gain a streamlined method to discover and connect with verified, innovative Indian suppliers. The "Start-up Badge" allows them to specifically target technology-led and innovative products within the Indian market.
Action Required
Buyers can use the "Source from India" feature on the Trade Connect platform to identify verified exporters and establish direct business connections.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)Impact
The DGFT is tasked with strengthening India’s export competitiveness and diversifying the export basket by integrating innovation-driven enterprises into the trade infrastructure.
Action Required
The DGFT must continue to maintain the IEC database for verification and provide ongoing institutional support through the Trade Connect ePlatform.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): The regulatory body that expanded eligibility criteria for the 'Source from India' service and manages the IEC database for onboarding verification.
Trade Connect ePlatform: The Government's integrated digital interface designed to connect Indian exporters with international buyers and trade-related services.
Source from India: A flagship feature on the Trade Connect platform that enables exporters to create digital microsites for discovery by global buyers.
DPIIT-recognised Start-ups: The primary beneficiary group granted expanded access to the 'Source from India' service, even without meeting standard export performance criteria.
Import Export Code (IEC): The mandatory regulatory identifier required for start-ups to create profiles and be identified through a unique Start-up Badge on the platform.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
DGFT Connects DPIIT-Recognised Startups to
Global Trade Ecosystem via ‘Source from India’
Feature
Start-Ups To Receive Dedicated "Start-Up Badge" On Official
Buyer Discovery Platform
प्रव तथ: 07 AUG 2026 6:45PM by PIB Delhi
In a major step towards promoting innovation-led exports and strengthening India's global trade
ecosystem, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, has expanded
the eligibility criteria for the "Source from India" service on the Trade Connect ePlatform to include
eligible DPIIT-recognised Start-ups.
The decision, notified through a Trade Notice no. 16 dated August 06, 2026 issued today, aims to provide
greater international visibility to India's growing start-up ecosystem by enabling innovative exporters to
showcase their products and capabilities on the Government's official digital buyer discovery platform.
Trade Connect, launched by the Department of Commerce, serves as a one-stop digital interface
connecting Indian exporters with trade-related services and institutional support. One of its flagship
features, "Source from India," enables eligible exporters to create dedicated digital microsites that allow
international buyers to discover reliable Indian suppliers and connect with them directly.
Under the revised framework, with effect from August 06, 2026, DPIIT-recognised Start-ups meeting the
existing eligibility criteria under "Source from India" will be able to create their microsites on the platform
and will be identified through a unique Start-up Badge, making them easily discoverable by overseas
buyers.
Further, to encourage early-stage exporters, a special onboarding provision has also been introduced.
DPIIT-recognised Start-ups possessing an active Import Export Code (IEC) that is not in the Denied Entity
List (DEL) will also be eligible to create their profiles on "Source from India", even if they do not
presently fulfil the standard export performance criteria. Their onboarding will be subject to verification
through the DGFT IEC database.
The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen the participation of innovation-driven enterprises in
international trade by providing them with enhanced visibility on an official Government platform. It is
also expected to support export diversification, promote technology-led products and services, and
reinforce India's emergence as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Start-up users already registered on Trade Connect whose accounts are linked to eligible IECs will
automatically receive the option to create their "Source from India" microsites from their dashboard. A
detailed user guide has also been issued to facilitate seamless registration and profile creation.The revised framework builds upon the earlier expansion of "Source from India", under which all valid
IEC holders meeting the prescribed export realisation criteria became eligible to join the platform. By
extending the initiative to India's start-up ecosystem, the Government seeks to create new opportunities
for innovative enterprises to access global markets while further strengthening India's export
competitiveness.
About Trade Connect ePlatform
Trade Connect is the Government of India's integrated digital platform designed to provide exporters with
access to trade-related information, services, market intelligence and institutional support through a single
interface. Its flagship "Source from India" feature serves as an official digital marketplace where
international buyers can identify verified Indian exporters, view their product offerings and business
credentials, and establish direct business connections.
Link to the notification
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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2296253) आगंतुक पटल : 636
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Gujarati , Urdu , ही