India’s total exports touched an all-time high of USD 863.11 billion in the financial year 2025-26, registering a 4.59 per cent growth from USD 825.26 billion in the previous year, according to data released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics and the Reserve Bank of India
The milestone is particularly notable as all four quarters of FY26 recorded their highest-ever export performance, marking a first in India’s trade history.
The services sector emerged as the key driver of growth, with exports rising sharply to a record USD 421.32 billion from USD 387.55 billion in FY25, reflecting an 8.71 per cent increase. Strong global demand for India’s IT services, business solutions, and professional expertise continued to underpin this expansion.
In contrast, merchandise exports saw modest growth, increasing 0.93 per cent to USD 441.78 billion from USD 437.70 billion a year earlier. Despite global headwinds impacting goods trade, merchandise exports maintained a steady upward trend.
However, the surge in exports was accompanied by a rise in imports, which outpaced export growth and widened the trade deficit. Total imports climbed 6.49 per cent to USD 979.65 billion in FY26 from USD 919.92 billion in the previous year.
Merchandise imports rose 7.46 per cent to USD 774.98 billion, while services imports increased 3 per cent to USD 204.67 billion, highlighting sustained domestic demand amid a challenging global environment.
