Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on 15 April 2026 announced that India achieved record total exports of US$ 860.09 billion in financial year 2025-26 (April-March), against US$ 825.26 billion in FY 2024-25, an estimated growth of 4.22 per cent. The data, released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, showed merchandise exports at US$ 441.78 billion (against US$ 437.70 billion in FY 2024-25, up 0.93 per cent) and services exports at an estimated US$ 418.31 billion (against US$ 387.55 billion in FY 2024-25, up 7.94 per cent). March 2026 alone recorded the highest monthly merchandise exports of the year at US$ 38.92 billion. The end-of-year surge was led by petroleum products and engineering goods, with strong contributions from electronics, pharmaceuticals, minerals, cereals and handicrafts, even though the West Asia crisis disrupted the Strait of Hormuz route. India's services exports continued to be powered by IT, business and professional services, financial services and travel. However, the trade picture also showed strain: merchandise imports grew faster at 7.46 per cent to US$ 774.98 billion, taking the merchandise trade deficit to US$ 333.19 billion. Including services, the overall trade deficit widened to US$ 119.30 billion (against US$ 94.66 billion in FY 2024-25). Gold imports grew about 25 per cent and silver imports surged about 151 per cent on the year, both adding to the import bill, while petroleum imports stayed elevated due to crude price pressure. The Minister flagged the new Export Promotion Mission for MSMEs and the activated bilateral trade agreements with the UAE, Australia, EFTA and Mauritius as key levers for the FY 2026-27 push.
India Achieves Record US$ 860.09 Billion in Exports in FY 2025-26; Commerce Ministry Data Released on April 15 Shows 4.22% Growth
On 15 April 2026 the Commerce Ministry reported that India's total exports hit a record US$ 860.09 billion in FY 2025-26, up 4.22%. Merchandise exports were US$ 441.78 billion and services US$ 418.31 billion. March 2026 alone saw US$ 38.92 billion in merchandise exports, but overall trade deficit widened to US$ 119.30 billion as imports outpaced exports.
Key facts
- India's total exports (merchandise + services) reached US$ 860.09 billion in FY 2025-26, an estimated 4.22% growth over FY 2024-25.
- Merchandise exports stood at US$ 441.78 billion, growing 0.93%; services exports at US$ 418.31 billion, growing 7.94%.
- March 2026 recorded the highest monthly merchandise exports of the year at US$ 38.92 billion.
- Petroleum products and engineering goods led the surge; electronics, pharma, minerals, cereals and handicrafts also contributed.
- Merchandise imports rose faster at 7.46% to US$ 774.98 billion, widening the merchandise trade deficit to US$ 333.19 billion.
- Including services, the overall trade deficit widened to US$ 119.30 billion from US$ 94.66 billion in FY 2024-25.
- Gold imports rose about 25%; silver imports surged about 151% in the year, pressuring the import bill.
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With reference to India's foreign trade performance in FY 2025-26 as released by the Commerce Ministry on 15 April 2026, consider the following statements:\n1. India's total exports of merchandise and services together reached US$ 860.09 billion, an estimated 4.22% growth.\n2. India's services exports in FY 2025-26 grew faster than its merchandise exports.\n3. India's overall trade deficit (goods plus services) narrowed in FY 2025-26 compared to FY 2024-25.\nWhich of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: total exports were US$ 860.09 billion (4.22% growth), and services exports grew 7.94% versus merchandise exports growing 0.93%. Statement 3 is incorrect: the overall trade deficit (goods plus services) widened to US$ 119.30 billion in FY 2025-26 from US$ 94.66 billion in FY 2024-25, as imports rose faster than exports.
Frequently asked questions
What was India's total export figure in FY 2025-26?
Total exports (merchandise + services) reached US$ 860.09 billion in FY 2025-26, against US$ 825.26 billion in FY 2024-25, an estimated growth of 4.22 per cent.
How were merchandise and services exports split?
Merchandise exports were US$ 441.78 billion (up 0.93%) and services exports were US$ 418.31 billion (up 7.94%).
What happened to India's overall trade deficit in FY 2025-26?
The overall trade deficit (goods + services) widened to US$ 119.30 billion from US$ 94.66 billion in FY 2024-25, as imports rose faster than exports, with gold and silver adding pressure.
Which products drove the March 2026 export surge?
Petroleum products and engineering goods led, with contributions from electronics, pharmaceuticals, minerals, cereals and handicrafts.
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