Expansion of the DEH Initiative On 24 March 2026 , the Ministry of Commerce & Industry announced a major expansion of the DEH programme. The move seeks to decentralise export promotion, empower MSMEs , farmers and small‑scale industries, and create new export markets for district‑specific products. Key Developments State‑level SEPCs and district‑level DEPCs have been constituted in all 36 States/UTs . Draft DEAPs for 590 districts have been prepared; 249 have been formally notified by the respective DEPCs. Specific export‑oriented products identified include: Sabarkantha (Gujarat): Ceramic & Tiles, Potato. Aravalli (Gujarat): Minerals, Agro‑processing, Glass and Tiles. Jalgaon (Maharashtra): Jalgaon Banana, Jalgaon Bharit Brinjal. All 52 districts of Madhya Pradesh – e.g., onions, pharma (Indore), oranges (Agar Malwa). Chhattisgarh – Rice, Maize, Mango (Raipur) and Bastar Iron Craft (Bastar). Jharkhand – Bamboo Craft, forest produce, vegetables. Data on exports is now publicly accessible through niryat.gov.in and dgciskol.gov.in . Comprehensive list of identified GI products, agricultural clusters and toy clusters is available at the DGFT portal. Important Facts The initiative emphasizes outreach events across regions to raise awareness among exporters, address bottlenecks, and facilitate market linkages. It also aims to build capacity for creating new exporters, identifying new markets, and scaling existing businesses. UPSC Relevance Understanding the DEH framework is vital for GS‑III (Economy & Development) as it illustrates a bottom‑up approach to export promotion, aligns with the Make in India vision, and showcases inter‑governmental coordination through SEPCs and DEPCs. The focus on export promotion directly impacts India’s trade balance, foreign exchange earnings, and self‑reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). Way Forward For effective implementation, aspirants should monitor: Performance metrics of notified DEAPs – export growth, MSME participation, and market diversification. Integration of digital platforms for real‑time export data and grievance redressal. Capacity‑building programmes for local entrepreneurs, especially in identified product clusters. Synergy with other schemes such as EPCG and service export promotion . These steps will help translate the policy intent into tangible export gains, reinforcing India’s goal of becoming a leading global supplier. Information was conveyed by Shri Jitin Prasada , Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, in the Lok Sabha on the day of the release.