India's exports touched a record high of USD 863 billion in the financial year 2025-26 despite significant global challenges, including disruptions to international trade arising from tensions in West Asia and the impact of US tariff measures, a senior Commerce Ministry official said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the outreach programme titled "12 Years of Achievements and Progress of SEZs of Gujarat & Vision of Future" in Ahmedabad, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Ajay Bhadoo said India's export sector had demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adverse global conditions.
“This has been a particularly challenging year due to factors such as US tariffs and the crisis in West Asia. However, India has once again demonstrated the strength and resilience of its export ecosystem. As a result, the country's total exports reached an all-time high of USD 863 billion in FY 2025-26,” Bhadoo said.
He noted that India's export performance has witnessed substantial growth over the past decade, with total exports nearly doubling from around USD 441 billion to USD 863 billion. According to him, the expansion has been driven by strong contributions from key sectors including engineering goods, petroleum products, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and gems and jewellery.
Bhadoo also highlighted Gujarat's growing importance in India's export landscape, stating that the state alone accounted for nearly USD 110 billion of the country's total exports during the financial year. Emphasising the government's focus on strengthening export infrastructure, he said Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would continue to receive policy support and encouragement in the coming years.
“There are sustained efforts underway to promote new Special Economic Zones both in Gujarat and across the country. Recently, the government notified a new SEZ proposed by Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited in Dholera, which will further strengthen India's manufacturing and export capabilities,” he said.
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The event was attended by Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) Zonal Development Commissioner Dnyaneshwar B. Patil, Gujarat Industries Commissioner Swaroop P, senior government officials, and representatives from various trade and industry bodies.
Addressing the gathering, Patil said SEZs have emerged as major drivers of industrial growth, exports, investment and employment generation over the past decade. “Special Economic Zones have become key engines of investment, innovation, exports and job creation. They are playing an important role in advancing national initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.
Patil noted that exports from Gujarat's SEZs have risen significantly, increasing from ₹21,79,808 crore in 2014-15 to ₹23,00,793 crore in 2025-26, representing nearly 67 per cent growth over the period. He added that Gujarat now contributes around 21 per cent of India's total SEZ exports.
He further stated that investments in Gujarat's SEZs have grown from ₹21,22,654 crore to ₹22,28,624 crore during the same period, while employment generation has expanded sharply from 63,475 jobs to more than 2.22 lakh jobs.
Highlighting Gujarat's emergence as a semiconductor manufacturing hub, Patil said four semiconductor-focused SEZs have already been notified in the state. These include projects being developed by CG Semi Technologies, Kaynes Semicon, Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing and Micron Technology.
Looking ahead, the Zonal Development Commissioner outlined an ambitious roadmap for Gujarat's SEZ ecosystem, targeting annual export growth of 20 per cent and yearly employment growth of 10 per cent, with the objective of strengthening the state's position as one of India's leading export and manufacturing destinations.
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