The Union Cabinet Committee on Wednesday approved asix-year-long Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with a total outlay of ₹25,060 crore, along with an allocation of ₹20,000 crore to expand the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE). The committee also cleared the rationalisation of royalty rates for critical minerals — graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium — under the Critical Minerals Mission.

Boosting India’s Export Competitiveness

The Export Promotion Mission, first announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, aims to strengthen India’s export ecosystem, particularly benefiting MSMEs, first-time exporters, and labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products.

Covering FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, the mission is designed as a digitally driven, outcome-based framework that replaces multiple fragmented export schemes with a single, flexible mechanism to address global trade challenges.

“EPM represents a strategic shift towards an integrated and adaptive approach that aligns with modern trade realities,”
said Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while announcing the scheme.

Two Integrated Sub-Schemes

The EPM will operate through two key components — Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha.

  • Niryat Protsahan will enhance access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs through interest subvention, export factoring, credit guarantees, and credit cards for e-commerce exporters.
  • Niryat Disha will focus on non-financial support such as export compliance, branding, packaging, logistics, warehousing, participation in global trade fairs, and trade intelligence for exporters.

The mission consolidates existing schemes like the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI) under a single, comprehensive framework.

Objectives of the Mission

Implemented by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the EPM seeks to:

  • Facilitate affordable trade finance for MSMEs.
  • Enhance export readiness through certification and compliance assistance.
  • Improve market access and visibility for Indian products.
  • Promote exports from non-traditional districts and emerging sectors.
  • Generate employment across manufacturing, logistics, and allied services.

The initiative addresses long-standing structural issues such as high trade finance costs, limited access to export credit, and logistical challenges in interior regions.

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE)

The Cabinet also approved the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters, offering 100% credit guarantee coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for extending additional credit worth up to ₹20,000 crore to eligible exporters.

The scheme is expected to enhance liquidity, support collateral-free credit, and strengthen India’s journey towards achieving its $1 trillion export target.

“This initiative will reinforce India’s progress toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat by improving access to finance and global competitiveness,”
the Cabinet said in a statement.

Why Export Promotion Matters

Exports contribute nearly 21% of India’s GDP and support over 45 million jobs across industries, with MSMEs accounting for 45% of total exports. Sustained export growth has played a key role in maintaining macroeconomic stability and strengthening foreign exchange reserves.

By consolidating support systems and providing additional liquidity, the government aims to safeguard export orders, protect employment, and expand India’s footprint in emerging markets.