India, Dec. 10 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Trade Performance
India registered a landmark achievement in external trade. Total exports (merchandise and services) hit an all-time high of US$ 825.25 billion in 2024-25, reflecting a robust 6.05% annual growth. This strong momentum continued into the new fiscal year, with exports rising to US$ 418.91 billion during April-September 2025, a 5.86% increase over the same period last year-reinforcing India's sustained upward export trajectory. Remarkably, India's trade performance in the first half (H1) of FY 2025-26 (April-September 2025) is a record high, highest ever first half (H1) export. Moreover, both the first quarter (April-June 2025) and second quarter (July-September 2025) have registered highest ever in their respective quarters, in spite of persisting global uncertainties.
India's services sector continued to drive India's overall export momentum, achieving a record US$ 387.54 billion in 2024-25, a strong 13.63% growth. This upward trajectory remained firmly intact in the current fiscal year, with services exports rising to US$ 199.03 billion during April-September 2025, registering a 9.34% increase over the same period last year.
India's merchandise exports remained steady in 2024-25 at US$ 437.70 billion, while non-petroleum exports surged to a historic US$ 374.32 billion, recording a 6.07% growth. The positive trend continued in the current fiscal year, with merchandise exports rising to US$ 219.88 billion during April-September 2025, an increase of 2.90% over the same period last year.
Key export drivers during April-September 2025 include Electronic Goods (41.94%), Engineering Goods (5.35%), Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (6.46%), Marine products (17.40%) and Rice (10.02%), which collectively propelled India's strong export momentum.
India's export performance was strongly supported by export destinations including USA (13.34%), United Arab Emirates (9.34%), China (21.85%), Spain (40.30%), and Hong Kong (23.53%), each registering robust growth during April-September 2025 as compared to same period last year.
Export Promotion Mission (EPM)
The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a landmark initiative to boost India's export competitiveness. The mission is anchored in a collaborative framework involving the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, and other key stakeholders including Financial Institutions, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, industry associations, and state governments. It represents a forward-looking reform that strengthens India's global trade framework while aligning with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, positioning the country as a modern, technology-driven, and globally competitive economy.
The Mission will provide a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion, with a total outlay of Rs.25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. EPM marks a strategic shift from multiple fragmented schemes to a single, outcome-based, and adaptive mechanism that can respond swiftly to global trade challenges and evolving exporter needs.
The Mission will operate through two integrated sub-schemes:
EPM consolidates key export support schemes such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI), aligning them with contemporary trade needs.
Digital Transformation
The Department of Commerce has advanced its Digital Transformation agenda to strengthen trade facilitation and intelligence through data-driven solutions. Initiatives such as Trade eConnect and Trade Intelligence & Analytics (TIA) portal lay a strong foundation for evidence-based decision-making at various levels across all stakeholders. Trade e-Connect serves as a one-stop digital platform for exporters, while the TIA portal delivers almost real-time market insights and automated reporting. Key measures like 24x7 e-IEC generation, the migration to eCoO 2.0, and the digitization of Appendix 4H certificates have streamlined compliance processes and significantly enhanced ease of doing business.
InCENT Lab Grown Diamond (LGD) Project
A research and development grant for five years to encourage indigenous production of LGD seeds and machine has been approved and commissioned to IIT Madras on March 2023 with a grant of Rs 242.96 crore. Significant achievement has already been made in this regard:
Free Trade Agreements (FTA) Negotiations
India's global economic partnerships have gained significant momentum through a series of recent trade agreements that are reshaping its export landscape. The landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) grants duty-free access to 99% of Indian exports, setting the stage for bilateral trade to reach US$ 100 billion by 2030. Beyond the UK, India has broadened its outreach with strategic agreements such as the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), and the pact with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Moreover, India is currently negotiating FTA with several key countries and regions. These partnerships are unlocking new opportunities across diverse sectors while also strengthening India's integration into global value chains.
The current ongoing FTAs negotiations includes:
Bilateral Cooperation
The 10th meeting of India-Taiwan Working Group on Trade (WGT) was held on 8.10.2025 in virtual mode. Several issues including supply chain diversification, market access, non-tariff barriers and MoUs under signing/implementation were discussed in the meeting. One of the MoU i.e. on Organic Equivalence which was signed in 2021 and implemented in July 2024 has resulted in export of first consignment of organic tea from India to Taiwan in September 2025
DGFT
These initiatives have contributed to improved service efficiency, document non-reputability, and simplified trade processes.
SEZ
In 2025, Special Economic Zones continued to attract steady investment and support employment generation across key sectors. During the year, Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 have been amended vide notification G.S.R. 364(E) dated 3rd June, 2025 reducing the requirement of minimum contiguous land area to 10 Hectares for setting up Special Economic Zones in Semiconductors and Electronics Component manufacturing sector. Further, various Ease of Doing Business measures were also undertaken to remove the requirement of filing SoFTEX for services provided by SEZs to DTA, and powers were delegated to Development Commissioners to allow demarcation of Non-Processing Area into Processing Area. In addition to this, three SEZs were notified in Sanand, Gujarat and one in Dharwad, Karnataka for manufacturing of semiconductors/ electronic components on 23.06.2025, 23.09.2025 and 26.09.2025 respectively. Additionally, one IT/ITES SEZ in Nava Raipur for setting-up a data centre and one Multi sector SEZ in Balinong, Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh were notified on 09.07.2025 and 30.07.2025 respectively.
Government e Marketplace (GeM):
GeM continues to strengthen its position as a transformative platform in public procurement, driving transparency, efficiency, inclusivity, and accountability across all levels of governance. Through continuous innovation, process reforms, and stakeholder engagement, GeM is committed to advancing the vision of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Plantation Boards (Coffee Board, Rubber Board, Tea Board and Spices Board)
ECGC
ITPO
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
