New Delhi: India recorded its highest-ever first-half export performance in FY2025, with total goods and services exports reaching $418.91 billion during April-September 2025, according to the Commerce Ministry’s year-end review released on 10 December.
This marks a 5.86 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, underscoring the continued momentum from the previous fiscal.
The ministry said the growth was driven by strong resilience across sectors despite global economic uncertainties. Services exports led the performance with a robust 9.34 per cent rise, while merchandise exports posted a 2.90 per cent increase.
Electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, rice and marine products were among the key contributors to the uptick. Major export markets, including the US, UAE, China, Spain and Hong Kong, registered healthy demand, supporting overall growth.
Officials noted that the first-half surge reflects India’s improving global trade integration, backed by diplomatic engagements and expanding market access. The government highlighted significant progress on the trade diplomacy front, reporting that five major Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have been concluded in the last five years.
These include agreements with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the India-UK trade pact, which is expected to come into force following ratification.
As per the government, these FTAs are the result of sustained negotiations and reciprocal high-level visits, which have strengthened long-term economic cooperation and opened new avenues for exporters.
With global demand stabilising and key sectors performing well, officials expect the positive export trajectory to continue into the second half of the fiscal year.
