Loading…
Total exports of merchandise and services in August 2026 are estimated at US$ 82.68 billion, a growth of 25.41 per cent over August 2025.
The overall trade deficit for the month narrowed to US$ 9.41 billion from US$ 11.62 billion a year earlier.
Cumulative exports for April-August 2026-27 stand at US$ 399.27 billion, up 15.55 per cent, against imports of US$ 459.65 billion.
Iron ore led export growth at 126.3 per cent, followed by electronic goods at 89.82 per cent and petroleum products at 63.27 per cent.
Gold imports fell 57.75 per cent year-on-year in August 2026.
| Aspect | Merchandise trade | Services trade |
|---|---|---|
| Exports, April-August 2026-27 | US$ 215.91 billion | US$ 183.36 billion |
| Imports, April-August 2026-27 | US$ 363.00 billion | US$ 96.65 billion |
| Balance | Deficit of US$ 147.09 billion | Surplus of US$ 86.71 billion |
| Data source | Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics | Reserve Bank of India, with the latest month estimated |
The balance of trade nets merchandise exports against merchandise imports. The current account of the balance of payments is wider - it adds services, primary income and transfers. India's services surplus is what offsets much of its merchandise deficit.
The official agency for the collection, compilation and dissemination of India's trade statistics and commercial information, a role it has held for over 150 years
Formulates and implements the Foreign Trade Policy with the objective of promoting India's exports; operates through a network of 24 regional offices
Source of the actual services trade and balance of payments data against which these monthly estimates are later revised
General Awareness > Indian Economy and External Sector
GS Paper 3 > Indian Economy > External Sector and Balance of Payments
With reference to Balance of Payments, which of the following constitutes/constitute the Current Account? 1. Balance of trade 2. Foreign assets 3. Balance of invisibles 4. Special Drawing Rights Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 1 and 3
With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. India's merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports. 2. India's imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery have decreased in recent years. 3. India's exports of services are more than its imports of services. 4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: 1, 3 and 4 only
Exports stripped of the two most price-volatile baskets, used as a cleaner read on underlying export performance - US$ 168.69 billion in April-August 2026-27.
The excess of services exports over services imports; US$ 86.71 billion in April-August 2026-27, partly offsetting the merchandise deficit.
The method by which earlier monthly trade estimates are corrected once quarterly balance of payments data becomes available.