**Executive Summary**
India’s total exports grew by 5.26% to reach USD 714.73 billion during the April–January period of FY 2025–26, despite global supply chain disruptions. To sustain this momentum, the government has launched the “RELIEF” scheme to mitigate geopolitical risks and approved the Export Promotion Mission with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,060 crores through FY 2030–31. These initiatives, supported by the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, focus on digital integration, financial incentives, and expanded market access through new trade agreements.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Export Performance and Growth**
* Total merchandise and services exports rose from USD 679.02 billion in FY 2024–25 (Apr-Jan) to USD 714.73 billion in FY 2025–26 (Apr-Jan).
* India achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% between FY 2021–22 and FY 2024–25.
* Exports increased significantly from USD 497.90 billion in FY 2020–21 to USD 828.25 billion in FY 2024–25.
**Strategic Missions and Financial Incentives**
* **Export Promotion Mission (EPM):** Approved with an outlay of Rs. 25,060 crores for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31.
* **Niryat Protsahan:** A pillar of EPM focusing on trade finance and credit enhancement.
* **Niryat Disha:** A pillar of EPM focusing on export logistics, warehousing, market access, and MSME competitiveness.
* **RoDTEP Scheme:** Continues to neutralize embedded taxes to maintain the global competitiveness of Indian goods.
* **RELIEF Scheme:** A time-limited intervention implemented via the ECGC to address export risks from geopolitical disruptions in the Gulf and West Asia maritime corridor.
**Digital Trade Infrastructure**
* The government has established a digital backbone including the 24×7 EIC interface and the Trade Intelligence & Analytics platform.
* The Common Digital Platform for Certificates of Origin and the Trade e-Connect portal facilitate fully online processing and real-time compliance updates.
* These systems aim to provide faster turnaround times and easier access to global market intelligence.
**Trade Diplomacy and Market Access**
* India currently has 19 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), with eight major agreements concluded or advanced since 2021.
* **India-EFTA TEPA:** The first FTA to include a dedicated commitment to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
* **India-EU FTA:** A landmark pact aimed at integrating India into global value chains by offering access to the EU tariff universe.
* **Ongoing Negotiations:** Active trade talks are being held with the UK, Oman, Israel, Canada, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, and GCC nations.
**Impact Analysis**
**Exporters (particularly MSMEs)**
**Impact**
Exporters gain access to affordable trade finance, improved logistics, and reduced risk through the RELIEF and EPM schemes. Digital platforms reduce administrative hurdles through online processing and real-time updates.
**Action Required**
Exporters should utilize the Trade e-Connect portal for market intelligence and engage with Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha for financial and logistical support.
**Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC)**
**Impact**
The ECGC is designated as the implementing agency for the "RELIEF" scheme, expanding its role in mitigating risks specifically associated with the Gulf and West Asia maritime corridors.
**Action Required**
Operationalize the time-limited RELIEF scheme to provide risk-mitigation support to exporters facing geopolitical disruptions.
**Government and Trade Negotiators**
**Impact**
The Ministry is tasked with managing a significant budgetary outlay (Rs. 25,060 crores) and pivoting toward "next-generation" trade agreements that include FDI commitments.
**Action Required**
Continue proactive trade diplomacy to conclude ongoing negotiations with partners like the UK, Canada, and the EU to secure predictable regulatory environments.
Key Entities Referenced
Export Promotion Mission (EPM): A major initiative with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,060 crore focused on trade finance, quality upgrading, and market-readiness through its Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha pillars.
“RELIEF” Scheme: A time-limited intervention under the Export Promotion Mission designed to mitigate export risks arising from geopolitical disruptions in the Gulf and West Asia maritime corridor.
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023: The overarching policy framework built on trade facilitation and export promotion that serves as a key enabler for India's trade growth.
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC): The primary agency responsible for implementing the RELIEF scheme and providing critical risk-mitigation support for Indian exports.
RoDTEP Scheme: A central scheme that neutralizes embedded taxes on exports to ensure the global competitiveness of Indian goods.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India’s Total Exports Rise to USD 714.73 Billion in
FY 2025–26 (Apr–Jan)
Government Strengthens Export Ecosystem to Expand
India’s Global Trade Footprint
Government Launches “RELIEF” Scheme to Mitigate Export
Risks from Geopolitical Disruptions
Posted On: 24 MAR 2026 2:33PM by PIB Delhi
India’s trade performance has remained robust and resilient, with exports recording a steady upward
trajectory both in the current fiscal year (FY 2025–26, Apr–Jan) and over the longer term (FY 2021–25).
Despite persistent global uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and volatile commodity prices, India’s
exports have continued to expand in a broad-based manner. During Apr–Jan of FY 2025–26, total exports
of merchandise and services rose by USD 36 billion, registering a growth of 5.26% from USD 679.02
billion in FY 2024–25 (Apr–Jan) to USD 714.73 billion. Over the period 2021–22 to 2024–25, exports
achieved a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%, with values increasing sharply from USD 497.90
billion in 2020–21 to USD 828.25 billion in 2024–25. This consistent expansion underscores India’s
ability to sustain diversified and resilient export growth, positioning the country as a strong player in
global trade even under challenging external conditions.
The Government is consistently working to boost exports and expand the country’s global footprint,
combining traditional strengths with emerging technology-driven sectors. Central to this ambition is the
creation of a supportive ecosystem where exporters, particularly MSMEs, can compete confidently in
international markets. This effort is reinforced by a dynamic policy framework, strong financial
incentives, a growing digital infrastructure, improved trade facilitation, and a determined push to secure
deeper market access through next-generation trade agreements.
The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, designed as a flexible and evolving framework to adapt to global
shifts, has emerged as a key enabler of India’s export momentum. Built on four core pillars - trade
facilitation, export promotion, state-level partnerships, and digital integration - the FTP is further
reinforced by targeted export promotion schemes that collectively enhance India’s competitiveness in
global markets.
The RoDTEP scheme plays a central role by neutralizing embedded taxes on exports and enabling Indian
goods to remain competitive worldwide. The recently launched Export Promotion Mission (EPM) 2
further reinforces this effort through two targeted pillars: expanding access to affordable trade finance and
upgrading quality, logistics, branding, and market-readiness across the export value chain. The
Government has approved the EPM with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,060 crores (FY 2025–26 to FY2030–31). It operates through Niryat Protsahan (focusing on trade finance and credit enhancement) and
Niryat Disha (focusing on export logistics, warehousing, and market access), specifically targeting MSME
competitiveness.
The Government has recently notified a time-limited “RELIEF” Scheme, an intervention under the Export
Promotion Mission, to be implemented through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India
(ECGC), is operationalised to address elevated export risks arising from geopolitical disruptions in the
Gulf and West Asia maritime corridor.
Together with the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), which provides critical risk-mitigation
support for exports, and schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) that build
export-linked infrastructure across the country.
Running parallel to these financial and policy instruments is India’s accelerating shift toward
technology-enabled trade governance. A strong digital backbone powered by platforms such as the 24×7
EIC interface, the Trade Intelligence & Analytics platform, the Common Digital Platform for Certificates
of Origin, and the Trade e-Connect portal has transformed how exporters access information, approvals,
and global markets. These systems enable fully online processing, real-time compliance updates, digital
certification, faster turnaround times, and easier access to global market intelligence. The outcome is a
trade ecosystem that is more transparent, data-driven, efficient, and equitable.
Proactive trade diplomacy complements policy measures and expanding digital infrastructure, reinforcing
the country’s efforts to strengthen global market access and enhance export competitiveness. With 19
FTAs and a renewed push since 2021 wherein India has concluded or advanced eight major agreements
with key partners. The India-EU FTA, a landmark pact offering access to almost the entire EU tariff
universe, marks a significant step in integrating India more deeply into global value chains. The India-
EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is India’s first FTA to include a dedicated
commitment aiming to increase FDI from their investors. Trade agreements with New Zealand, Oman and
UK will broaden market access, enhance services mobility, secure long-term investments, and create
predictable regulatory environments for businesses. Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations with Israel, Canada,
GCC nations, Chile, and Peru indicate India’s determination to expand high-value trade corridors across
regions.
India’s export strategy reflects a decisive whole-of-government approach, moving beyond transactional
support to building a resilient, competitive, and future-ready ecosystem. By combining targeted financial
incentives, technology-enabled trade facilitation, institutional reforms, and proactive market-access
initiatives, the focus is on embedding digital governance, expanding global reach, and strengthening
exporter capabilities across sectors and regions. This integrated approach positions India not just as a
participant, but as a trusted, technology-driven partner in global trade.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin
Prasada, in Lok Sabha today.
***
Abhishek Dayal/Shabbir Azad/Anushka Pandey
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