Overview Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal , advocated for enhanced exports to expand India's economy and generate employment. He stressed the importance of strong collaboration between the Central Government and the States to drive export expansion and diversification. This announcement was made at the fourth meeting of the reconstituted Board of Trade (BoT) held in New Delhi . Key Developments Centre-State Partnership Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized the need for a robust partnership between the Central Government and the States to boost India’s export growth. This collaboration is crucial for driving export expansion and diversification. Export Promotion Mission The Export Promotion Mission will incorporate targeted schemes to help landlocked States enhance their competitiveness in the export sector. The Ministry of Commerce will work with relevant agencies to address emerging challenges based on inputs from States. Quality Standards Shri Goyal underscored the importance of maintaining high-quality standards to strengthen India’s reputation as a reliable exporter. Consistency in quality is essential for building long-term trust with international partners. Best Practice Sharing States are encouraged to actively share their successful models and best practices, particularly in areas such as Ease of Doing Business and Single Window clearance systems. This collaborative effort will contribute to more efficient governance and improved facilitation for exporters. Trade Connect ePlatform The Trade Connect ePlatform , launched in September 2024 , has seen rapid scale-up, integrating services from various agencies. It has over 62 lakh platform visits and more than 18 lakh registered users, providing multilingual accessibility and digital consolidation of Certificates of Origin. Jan Sunwai Module The Jan Sunwai video-conferencing module has resolved 3,377 out of 3,518 grievances, achieving a closure rate of 96% , reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to citizen-centric service delivery. RoDTEP Scheme The extension of the RoDTEP scheme until 31 March 2026 for all eligible export categories provides predictability for exporters. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) India’s trade diplomacy has gained momentum with landmark FTAs concluded, including the India–EFTA TEPA (March 2024) and the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (July 2025) . Negotiations are underway with several other major partners. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant for GS Paper 2 (Government Policies and Interventions) and GS Paper 3 (Economy) . It highlights government initiatives to promote exports, improve trade facilitation, and strengthen international trade relations. Key Points for UPSC Board of Trade (BoT): Its role as the apex advisory body on policy measures related to the Foreign Trade Policy. Export Promotion Mission: Targeted schemes for landlocked States and addressing emerging challenges. Trade Connect ePlatform: Digital platform integrating services for exporters. RoDTEP Scheme: Extension until 31 March 2026 and its impact on export predictability. FTAs: Agreements with EFTA and the UK, and ongoing negotiations with other partners. Potential Questions Discuss the role of Centre-State collaboration in boosting India's export growth. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Export Promotion Mission, especially for landlocked states. Analyze the impact of FTAs on India's trade relations and economic growth.