The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31 to reinforce India’s export ecosystem and assist sectors impacted by the recent 50% tariff imposed by the United States. The mission consolidates fragmented schemes into a unified framework, integrating initiatives such as IES and MAI. Its two components—Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha—will boost access to affordable trade finance, support quality upgrades and certifications, strengthen branding and logistics, and improve exporters’ market preparedness.
Implemented by the DGFT through a fully digital platform, the mission targets tariff-affected sectors and seeks to fix structural gaps in finance, compliance, and logistics.
The government on Wednesday (November 12, 2025) approved a major Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with a total outlay of ₹25,060 crore for six financial years starting this fiscal, aimed at strengthening India’s export ecosystem and helping exporters navigate the impact of steep tariff hikes imposed by the United States. The scheme will run for six years, spanning FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31.
The EPM, a flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, is built on a collaborative framework that brings together the Department of Commerce, the Ministry of MSME, the Ministry of Finance, and other major stakeholders such as financial institutions, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, industry bodies, and state governments. It marks a forward-looking initiative to make India’s export system more inclusive, digitally driven, and globally competitive, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Key components: Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha
The Export Promotion Mission signifies a strategic move away from numerous fragmented schemes toward a unified, outcome-oriented, and flexible framework capable of responding quickly to global trade shifts and the changing requirements of exporters.
According to the commerce department, the EPM integrates key export support programmes like the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and the Market Access Initiative (MAI), updating them to match today’s trade realities. The department said these steps will help preserve export orders, protect livelihoods, and aid exporters in expanding into new regions.
The mission comprises two sub-schemes — Niryat Protsahan with an allocation of ₹10,401 crore, and Niryat Disha with ₹14,659 crore. Information and Broadcasting Minister Mr Ashwini Vaishnaw described it as a comprehensive initiative designed to support the entire export value chain.
The programme prioritises sectors particularly affected by recent global tariff escalations, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products. The move comes in the wake of the U.S. imposing a significant 50% tariff on Indian goods from August 27, posing challenges for exporters dependent on the American market.
Under Niryat Protsahan, the government will focus on expanding access to affordable trade finance, especially for MSMEs. Key interventions include interest subvention, export factoring support, collateral-free guarantees, credit cards for e-commerce exporters, and credit enhancement to help firms diversify into new and emerging markets. These measures are geared toward reducing the financial burden and improving liquidity for smaller exporters.
Niryat Disha will address non-financial enablers needed to boost market preparedness and global competitiveness. Support will be provided for export quality upgradation, international certifications and compliance, global branding and packaging, and participation in trade fairs. Additional components include assistance for export warehousing, logistics strengthening, inland transport reimbursements, and trade intelligence and capacity-building programmes.
Together, the sub-schemes aim to overcome long-standing structural hurdles including
- restricted and costly trade finance,
- high international compliance costs,
- weak export branding,
- fragmented market access, and
- logistical disadvantages faced by exporters in remote or low-export-intensity regions.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will serve as the implementing authority, with all applications and fund disbursals managed through a fully digital platform integrated with existing trade systems.
In another development, the Cabinet approved new royalty rates for minerals like caesium, graphite, rubidium, and zirconium. Mr. Vaishnaw noted that the revised structure will facilitate quicker mineral block auctions and strengthen domestic production of critical minerals such as lithium, tungsten, and niobium. The increased output is expected to lower import dependence, enhance supply chain stability, and create more jobs in India.
Trade performance context
The launch of the mission comes amid mixed trade performance. India’s exports rose 6.74% to US$ 36.38 billion in September, while imports surged 16.6%, widening the monthly trade deficit to US$ 31.15 billion, the highest in over a year. For April–September, exports grew 3.02% to US$ 220.12 billion, whereas imports increased 4.53% to US$ 375.11 billion, resulting in a cumulative trade deficit of US$ 154.99 billion.
Exports accounted for about 21% of India’s GDP in FY25, making them a vital contributor to economic growth and foreign exchange reserves. Export-oriented industries support over 45 million jobs, with MSMEs contributing nearly 45% of total exports. Sustained export performance is crucial for maintaining the current account balance and macroeconomic stability. Given global competition and shifting markets, enhanced financial assistance and adequate time for exporters to diversify are essential. Proactive government measures to improve liquidity will help businesses grow and expand into new markets.
Conclusion
The Export Promotion Mission marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s export resilience amid rising global trade challenges. By integrating financial and non-financial support, strengthening logistics, and enhancing market access, it aims to boost the competitiveness of MSMEs and priority sectors. With a fully digital implementation system, the initiative is set to enhance export stability and drive sustained long-term growth.
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FAQs
1. What is the Export Promotion Mission (EPM)?
The EPM is a ₹25,060-crore initiative for FY 2025–26 to 2030–31 aimed at strengthening India’s export ecosystem. It unifies multiple support schemes, offers both financial and non-financial assistance, and helps exporters navigate global tariff challenges.
2. Why was the EPM introduced now?
The mission comes in response to rising global trade uncertainties, including the United States’ 50% tariff on Indian goods. It aims to support affected sectors and enhance the overall competitiveness of Indian exports.
3. What are the key components of the EPM?
The mission consists of two sub-schemes:
- Niryat Protsahan for affordable trade finance, interest support, export factoring, and credit enhancement.
- Niryat Disha for quality upgrades, certifications, branding, logistics improvements, and market access support.
4. Which sectors will benefit the most from the EPM?
Sectors impacted by recent tariff escalations—such as textiles, leather, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, and marine products—are prioritized for support under the mission.
5. How will the scheme be implemented?
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will implement the EPM through a fully digital platform, ensuring streamlined applications, faster processing, and efficient fund disbursal.
