India Speeds Up Exporter Approvals Over 2x in March, Eases Bank Guarantee Release

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade conducted a time-bound Special Campaign to expedite issuance of Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODCs). The drive was carried out between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026, under the Advance Authorisation (AA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) schemes.

The initiative aimed to reduce pending cases and improve processing timelines. It also focused on easing compliance requirements for exporters across sectors.

Surge in EODC Approvals During March

EODC approvals increased significantly during March 2026 compared to February 2026 across both schemes. Under the AA scheme, approvals rose by 242%, while EPCG approvals increased by 234%.

A total of 12,690 EODCs were approved in March, compared to 3,747 in February, reflecting a 3.39 times increase. This sharp rise indicates improved administrative efficiency and faster disposal of pending cases.

Role of EODCs in Export Compliance

EODCs play a critical role in confirming fulfilment of export obligations under trade schemes. They enable exporters to secure the release of bank guarantees and bonds submitted at the time of availing benefits.

This reduces financial burden and ensures regulatory closure of export commitments. The process also strengthens compliance monitoring within India’s trade facilitation framework.

Clearance of Pending Pipeline

The Special Campaign enabled substantial clearance of backlog across both AA and EPCG schemes. Around 59% of pending cases under the AA scheme were cleared during March 2026, while EPCG saw 54% disposal.

The campaign achieved 12,690 approvals in a single month compared to 44,018 approvals in the previous 11 months from April 2025 to February 2026. This highlights a concentrated effort to accelerate processing and reduce accumulated cases.

Processing Efficiency and Case Reduction

Processing efficiency improved significantly during the campaign period across both schemes. Under the AA scheme, 13,238 out of 13,627 cases were processed, achieving a 97% rate, while EPCG recorded a 98% rate with 8,281 out of 8,473 cases processed.

The number of in-progress cases declined from 15,360 on March 1, 2026, to 3,966 on April 1, 2026, despite addition of 6,740 new cases. The Special Campaign has been extended until May 31, 2026, to continue reducing pending applications.

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Conclusion

The DGFT’s Special Campaign led to a sharp increase in EODC approvals during March 2026. The initiative improved processing timelines and significantly reduced pending cases across key export schemes.

It also enhanced compliance efficiency and reduced administrative burden on exporters. The extension of the campaign reflects continued focus on improving trade facilitation processes.

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