The government is set to review the over ₹25,000 crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) introduced in February 2026 after exporters showed substantial interest in only two of its 11 schemes. The review comes as the government plans to spend ₹3,710 crore under the mission in FY27, compared with ₹2,250 crore in FY26.
The government is preparing to assess the Export Promotion Mission after finding limited exporter interest across most of its schemes, according to a government official.
The EPM was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her February 2025 Budget speech, following the US administration’s announcement of an investigation into Washington’s trade deficit in January that year and signals of tariffs or other measures to address it.
The mission was cleared by the government in November last year and formally rolled out in February this year for a five-year period ending FY31.
Two Schemes Account for Most Exporter Interest
The two high-demand schemes under the mission are relief on interest for exporters’ working capital needs and market access support. Both schemes had already been in existence for nearly a decade before being brought under the EPM.
According to a government official, the longer presence of these schemes has made exporters more familiar with their application process. The official, one of the three persons aware of the development, spoke on condition of anonymity.
“We are looking at all measures to ensure better uptake. Our priority is to ensure the success of the EPM,” the official said.
An industry executive said export promotion bodies have shared their recommendations with the government.
Nearly 10,000 Applications for Shipment Credit Support
Since February, nearly 10,000 exporters have applied for “interest subvention for shipment credit” and around 1,000 have applied for market access support, according to an official document reviewed by Business Standard.
The Export Promotion Mission was rolled out in February this year for a five-year period until FY31.
Other components of the mission have recorded significantly fewer applications. A collateral-free credit support scheme received fewer than 150 applications, while another intervention providing financial support to exporters for international testing, inspection, certification and other conformity requirements has attracted barely 100 applicants in the past six months.
EPM to Target ₹3,710 Crore Spending in FY27
The government aims to spend ₹3,710 crore under the Export Promotion Mission in FY27, compared with ₹2,250 crore in FY26.
The government’s review is expected to examine the level of participation across the 11 schemes and consider measures to improve their uptake. The assessment will take place as the five-year EPM continues through FY31.
Partial Uptake
- Export Promotion Mission was rolled out in February this year for a five-year period until FY31.
- Only two out of 11 schemes under EPM have received substantial exporter interest.
- Exporters attribute lower utilisation to scheme design.
- EPM schemes uptake also limited by competition from state-level schemes.
- Expiry of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme may improve demand.