- Why in news
- On 24 June 2026, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal chaired a review with Export Promotion Councils and industry bodies on progress under the Export Promotion Mission. Ten interventions are rolled out and a 90-day District Export Hubs drive is under way.
- What it is
- The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a Commerce Ministry mission that bundles financial and non-financial support for exporters into one framework. It is run through DGFT with Export Promotion Councils and industry bodies as partners. It covers areas such as export credit, factoring, warehousing and logistics, certification, trade intelligence and market access.
- Rollout status
- Ten EPM interventions are already rolled out. The branding component is still under stakeholder consultation.
- Interest subvention
- After industry feedback, interest subvention was extended to small and micro exporters on identified tariff lines.
- Committee schedule
- The Norms Committee, Policy Relaxation Committee, EPCG Committee and Exim Facilitation Committees will meet fortnightly. The SCOMET inter-ministerial group meets monthly.
- District Export Hubs drive
- A 90-day activation drive for District Export Hubs began on 1 June 2026, using District Export Promotion Committees and District Export Action Plans.
- Implementing agency
- DGFT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the main agency for foreign trade policy and facilitation.
- EPM period
- The Export Promotion Mission is approved for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, aimed at export competitiveness, especially for MSMEs.
- RELIEF outlay
- RELIEF has a financial outlay of Rs 497 crore under EPM, to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruptions.
- Cover for already insured consignments
- Exporters with ECGC cover for eligible consignments get up to 100% risk coverage over and above existing cover, for 14 Feb to 15 Mar 2026.
- Support for upcoming consignments
- For 16 Mar to 15 Jun 2026, exporters are encouraged to take ECGC cover, with Government support for up to 95% risk coverage over existing cover.
- Reimbursement for non-insured MSMEs
- Eligible MSME exporters without ECGC insurance get partial reimbursement of up to 50% of freight and insurance surcharge burden, capped at Rs 50 lakh per exporter.
- Two sub-schemes
- EPM has NIRYAT PROTSAHAN for trade finance (interest subvention, factoring, collateral guarantees) and NIRYAT DISHA for other enablers (quality, branding, market access, logistics, trade intelligence).
- Nodal agency
- ECGC Ltd, wholly owned by the Government of India under the Commerce Ministry, verifies claims, pays out and monitors RELIEF.
- Outlay
- RELIEF has an approved outlay of Rs 497 crore, funded under EPM.
- Cover for existing ECGC policyholders
- Exporters with ECGC cover get up to 100% extra risk coverage for consignments from 14 Feb to 15 Mar 2026.
- Cover for future shipments
- For consignments from 16 Mar to 15 Jun 2026, government support covers up to 95% risk coverage over existing ECGC cover.
- MSME reimbursement
- Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters can get up to 50% partial reimbursement of freight and insurance surcharges, capped at Rs 50 lakh per exporter.
- Review
- The EPM Steering Committee will review RELIEF periodically and may modify, continue or withdraw it.
- Approval and outlay
- The Government approved EPM in November 2025. Its outlay is ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31.
- LIFT
- LIFT supports hinterland exporters on transport costs. It covers up to 30% of the cost, capped at ₹20 lakh per exporter per year.
- Two verticals
- EPM combines financial support under Niryat Protsahan with trade ecosystem support under Niryat Disha, in a digitally monitored framework.
- TRACE
- Reimburses 60% (Positive List) or 75% (Priority Positive List) of testing, inspection and certification costs, up to ₹25 lakh per IEC a year.
- Status
- With this launch, 10 of the 11 proposed EPM interventions are operational.
- Implementing ministries
- Jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME and Ministry of Finance.
- Collateral guarantee
- Offered with CGTMSE: cover up to 85% for Micro and Small exporters, 65% for Medium, with max guaranteed exposure of ₹10 crore per exporter per year.
Don’t confuse with EPC vs DGFT: Export Promotion Councils are industry-facing bodies of exporters that promote specific sectors. DGFT is the government office that administers foreign trade policy.
Don’t confuse with EPCG vs EPC: EPCG is the Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme allowing concessional duty on capital goods imports. EPC is a Council of exporters.
Don’t confuse with NIRYAT PROTSAHAN vs NIRYAT DISHA: PROTSAHAN deals with trade finance; DISHA covers non-financial enablers such as compliance, branding, market access, logistics and trade intelligence.
Don’t confuse with ECGC cover vs RELIEF support: ECGC is the credit insurer; RELIEF is a Government intervention that adds cover on top of ECGC's existing cover or reimburses costs for uninsured MSMEs.
Don’t confuse with ECGC vs EXIM Bank: ECGC insures exporters against non-payment and political risk. EXIM Bank is a financial institution that lends for trade.
Don’t confuse with RELIEF vs EPM: EPM is the umbrella mission. RELIEF is one time-bound intervention under it.
Don’t confuse with EPM vs earlier schemes: EPM replaces earlier schemes such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme and the Market Access Initiative, whose arrears are being cleared under it.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Brings exporter support schemes under one mission, helping use of FTA market access.
- District-level hubs can bring new exporters and local products such as GI goods into exports.
- Cushions exporters, especially MSMEs, from conflict-driven freight and insurance cost shocks.
- Sustains shipment flows and exporter confidence during logistics uncertainty.
- Cushions exporters and jobs, especially MSMEs, from conflict-driven freight and insurance costs.
- Shows EPM can be used flexibly for quick response to external shocks.
- Using ECGC's existing machinery lets support reach exporters fast.
- Merges scattered export aid into one framework, reducing fragmentation for MSME exporters.
- Eases credit, compliance and logistics costs, which can help competitiveness and market diversification.
- Lowers the cost of capital and widens trade finance options for MSMEs.
- Helps MSMEs meet international standards and cut logistics disadvantages, supporting broad-based export growth.
- Lowers the cost of export credit and eases working capital for MSME exporters.
- Improves bank lending to export-oriented MSMEs and supports market diversification and global value chain integration.
Problems
- Low uptake of schemes by exporters, especially small ones, needs outreach and handholding.
- Pendency and delays in facilitation committees hurt predictability for exporters.
- Support is time-bound and conditional on documentary verification and ceilings, so smaller exporters may face compliance burden.
- Exporters outside the eligible windows or without ECGC cover (non-MSME) get limited relief.
- Fiscal cost is open-ended if the disruption lasts beyond the support window.
- Documentary verification and claim processing may delay MSMEs' relief.
- Only ECGC-linked or MSME exporters are covered, so other exporters stay exposed to higher costs.
- Many separate interventions with caps and eligibility lists may be hard for small exporters to navigate.
- Early uptake is low for some components, such as about 60 exporters for collateral support since January 2026.
- MSMEs may find it hard to access schemes and claim reimbursements, and many lack awareness of them.
- Caps on assistance per IEC or MSME may limit impact, and export growth also depends on global demand and trade barriers.
- Caps (₹50 lakh per IEC) and a positive list may limit reach; the pilot depends on RBI and CGTMSE guidelines.
- Banks' risk aversion and operational readiness can delay uptake, especially for emerging-market incentives.
Way forward
- Run focused outreach with banks and Export Promotion Councils, and track measurable outcomes.
- Use FTAs to target new markets and products, with district action plans.
- Speed up claim verification and disbursal through digital processes.
- Diversify routes and markets, and build lasting logistics resilience beyond one-off relief.
- Keep real-time dashboard tracking and review the scheme as conditions change.
- Widen ECGC coverage among MSMEs and diversify routes and markets to cut dependence on chokepoints.
- Simplify applications on the digital portals and spread awareness among first-time exporters.
- Track uptake and release funds on time, including arrears under older schemes.
- Keep the digital claim process simple and time-bound, and run outreach through EPCs and district export hubs.
- Review outcomes regularly and link support to FTA market opportunities.
- Use pilot feedback and data to refine rates, caps and the positive list, with bi-annual reviews.
- Pair finance support with NIRYAT DISHA measures on compliance, logistics and market access.
Put in your answer
District Export Hubs: Example of last-mile export promotion: District Export Promotion Committees and District Export Action Plans identify products and districts with export potential.
EPM structure: Cite EPM's two sub-schemes, NIRYAT PROTSAHAN (trade finance) and NIRYAT DISHA (trade enablers), as an example of integrated export support.
RELIEF under EPM: A targeted, time-bound intervention with Rs 497 crore to offset war-related freight and insurance costs.
EPM outlay: ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, with a focus on MSMEs.
Interest subvention rate: Interest subvention of 2.75%, up to ₹50 lakh, on pre- and post-shipment export credit for MSMEs.
Cost of capital and compliance: The new interventions aim to address MSME constraints: high cost of capital, limited trade finance instruments, compliance burdens, logistics disadvantages and market entry barriers.
FTA reach: Nine concluded FTAs give access to nearly 70% of global GDP and two-thirds of global trade, as stated by the Minister.
Mission outlay: ₹25,060 crore over FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, focused on MSMEs, first-time exporters and labour-intensive sectors.
Guarantee design: Cover of 85% for Micro and Small and 65% for Medium exporters, up to ₹10 crore exposure per exporter.
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- 2015Mains GS3 · Q6Marketing and supply-chain impediments to food processing industry, and whether e-commerce helps
- 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Government policies to raise manufacturing share in GDP, particularly MSMEs
- 2015Mains GS3 · Q10Issues hindering SEZs as tools of manufacturing and exports: taxation, laws, administration
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- 2010Prelims Q18Which objectives the SEZ Act 2005 aims to achieve, including export promotion
- 2002Prelims Q85Which statements about ECGC and other PSUs are correct, including export credit objectives
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.ECGC Ltd has been designated the nodal and implementing agency for RELIEF, the intervention under the Export Promotion Mission.
- 2.For consignments planned from 16 March to 15 June 2026, the government-supported ECGC cover under RELIEF is up to 100% over and above the existing ECGC cover.
- 3.Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters can get partial reimbursement of up to 50% of freight and insurance surcharge burdens, subject to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakh per exporter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 19
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.ECGC Ltd has been designated the nodal agency for implementing RELIEF.
True. ECGC handles verification, claims, disbursement and monitoring.
2.RELIEF is funded separately from the Export Promotion Mission through a standalone allocation.
False. RELIEF is an intervention under EPM and funded under the Mission, with Rs 497 crore outlay.
3.For existing ECGC policyholders, RELIEF offers up to 100% additional risk coverage for consignments in the period 14 February to 15 March 2026.
True. Up to 100% over and above existing cover for that period.
4.Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters can get partial reimbursement of up to 50% of surcharge burdens, subject to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakh per exporter.
True. Up to 50% reimbursement, capped at Rs 50 lakh.
5.ECGC provides export credit insurance against commercial and political risks.
True. ECGC is the government-owned export credit insurer covering commercial and political risks.
6.RELIEF is a permanent scheme with no provision for withdrawal.
False. It is time-bound and may be modified, continued or withdrawn after review.
7.Under the Export Promotion Mission, financial enablers are grouped under Niryat Protsahan and trade ecosystem support under Niryat Disha.
True. Niryat Protsahan is financial; Niryat Disha is ecosystem support.
8.The export factoring intervention offers an interest subvention of 2.75% on factoring cost.
True. Subvention is 2.75% on factoring cost.
9.TRACE reimburses a higher share of testing and certification costs for items on the Priority Positive List than on the Positive List.
True. 75% for Priority Positive List versus 60% for Positive List.
10.LIFT is meant to reduce the geographical disadvantage of exporters in districts with high export intensity.
False. LIFT targets low export intensity districts.
11.INSIGHT can provide up to 100% support for proposals from Central and State Government institutions and Indian Missions abroad.
True. Up to 50% generally; up to 100% for government institutions and Missions.
12.All 11 proposed interventions under the Export Promotion Mission are now operational.
False. 10 of 11 are operational.
13.The Export Promotion Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025.
True. Cabinet approval was on 12 November 2025.
14.The Mission is implemented solely by the Department of Commerce.
False. It is jointly implemented by Commerce, MSME and Finance ministries.
15.NIRYAT DISHA focuses on access to affordable trade finance, while NIRYAT PROTSAHAN supports non-financial enablers such as branding and logistics.
False. It is the reverse: PROTSAHAN is trade finance; DISHA is non-financial enablers.
16.The base interest subvention on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit is 2.75 per cent.
True. Base subvention is 2.75%.
17.The interest subvention applies to all tariff lines without restriction.
False. It applies only to a notified positive list covering about 75% of tariff lines.
18.The collateral guarantee for export credit is being introduced in partnership with CGTMSE.
True. The partner is the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises.
19.Guarantee coverage is up to 65 per cent for Micro and Small exporters and up to 85 per cent for Medium exporters.
False. Up to 85% for Micro and Small; up to 65% for Medium.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Government has approved RELIEF under the Export Promotion Mission, with an outlay of Rs 497 crore, to support exporters hit by West Asia shipping disruptions. Discuss the provisions of RELIEF and examine its significance and challenges in protecting Indian exporters, especially MSMEs, during geopolitical shocks.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.