The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has rolled out a suite of measures in 2026 to broaden India’s export base. By signing new FTA and CEPA, and by launching the EPM, the government aims to reduce reliance on traditional markets and help MSMEs, startups and artisans sell abroad.
Key Developments (2025‑26)
- Signing of six new FTAs/CEPs with Mauritius, UAE, Australia, EFTA, Oman and the UK; ratification of the India‑New Zealand FTA is pending.
- Negotiations underway with the EU, USA, Canada, Peru, Chile, Israel, Korea and others.
- Launch of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with two sub‑schemes – NIRYAT PROTHSAHAN (trade finance support) and NIRYAT DISHA (quality, branding, logistics).
- Pilot of the E‑Commerce Export Hub (ECEH) to create a one‑stop ecosystem for e‑commerce exporters.
- Implementation of the District Export Hub (DEH) initiative to identify 3‑5 export‑ready products per district.
- Relaxation of courier‑mode export limits: removal of the ₹10 lakh per‑consignment ceiling and simplified reverse‑logistics rules.
- RBI’s easing of export reconciliation for small‑value shipments up to ₹10 lakh.
- Introduction of the RoDTEP scheme.
- Integration of export logistics under the PM Gati Shakti NMP.
Important Facts
• The EPM carries a budget of ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025‑31.
• The per‑consignment courier limit of ₹10 lakh was removed by DGFT Notification No. 67/2025‑26 (27 Mar 2026) and CBIC Notification No. 34/2026 (31 Mar 2026).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) now allows export reconciliation based on exporter declarations for small‑value shipments, easing bank procedures.
• 65 Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) have been set up by the Ministry of MSME to mentor exporters.
Exam Relevance
Understanding these initiatives is crucial for GS III (Economy & Trade). FTAs and CEPA illustrate India’s strategy to secure market access and address non‑tariff barriers, a topic often asked in trade‑policy questions. The EPM, RoDTEP and DEH showcase how the government uses fiscal tools and institutional mechanisms to boost MSME exports – a recurring theme in questions on inclusive growth. The role of the RBI in easing export finance highlights the intersection of monetary policy and trade. Finally, the PM Gati Shakti NMP links infrastructure development with export competitiveness, a classic GS III linkage.
Way Forward
To translate policy into results, the government must:
- Accelerate ratification of pending FTAs, especially with the EU and USA, to unlock larger markets.
- Strengthen capacity‑building for MSMEs through the EFC network and ensure timely credit guarantees under NIRYAT PROTHSAHAN.
- Monitor the impact of courier‑mode reforms and adjust thresholds based on export data.
- Integrate real‑time logistics data from the PM Gati Shakti platform to further cut export costs.
- Continuously engage with trading partners via Joint Committees to resolve NTBs, especially in the SPS and TBT domains.
These steps will help India achieve a more diversified, resilient export basket and generate employment in labour‑intensive sectors.