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Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the 45th India International Trade Fair at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 13 November 2026 and cited October 2026 exports of nearly 90 billion dollars.
Related: India's exports in April-October FY
Why in news
- On 13 November 2026 the Minister inaugurated the 45th IITF at Bharat Mandapam.
- He said October 2026 exports were nearly 90 billion dollars: about 50 billion merchandise and 40 billion services.
- He said exports in the first seven months up to October reached 570 billion dollars.
What was announced?
The Minister asked exporters, artisans and entrepreneurs to use India's Free Trade Agreements to enter developed markets. He said India is on track for its 1 trillion dollar export target this year and expects trade to grow 15 to 16 per cent.
He also said the Government will soon launch the next phase of expansion of Bharat Mandapam, and that the India Trade Promotion Organisation plans international fairs in markets with which India has trade agreements.
Fact table
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 45th India International Trade Fair 2026 |
| Venue | Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi |
| Ministry | Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Participation | 30+ States and UTs, 3,500+ exhibitors, 11 countries |
| Startups | Hall of Inspiration with 600 startups |
| Export figure | About 90 billion dollars in October 2026 |
Static link-back
- Trade promotion is led by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), which the Minister said plans international fairs.
- Free Trade Agreements open markets for Indian goods and services.
- Export performance links to the balance of payments in GS-III.
Why does it matter?
- Export records show resilience while world trade growth is expected to stay around 3.5 per cent.
- The One District, One Product Pavilion gives artisans, handloom and food producers a national stage.
- The Hall of Inspiration showcases 600 startups, linking trade with innovation.
- The Minister urged quality and sustainability under the principle of Zero Defect, Zero Effect.
Uttar Pradesh angle
The One District, One Product Pavilion is the fair's link to state-level work: Uttar Pradesh runs its own ODOP programme for district products and handicrafts, so trade-fair pavilions are a platform for such products. The Minister's own examples were Kiwi from Arunachal Pradesh and Sindhuri pomegranates from Kullu. For GS-V, note how states use fairs to promote exports.
Likely confusions
- The 90 billion dollar figure is for October 2026 alone; 570 billion dollars is for April to October.
- Merchandise exports (about 50 billion dollars) are not services exports (about 40 billion dollars).
Key Terms
- IITF
- India International Trade Fair, held at Bharat Mandapam.
- ITPO
- India Trade Promotion Organisation, the trade fair organiser.
- FTA
- Free Trade Agreement between countries.
- ODOP
- One District, One Product initiative.
- Zero Defect, Zero Effect
- Quality without harm to the environment.
UPPSC syllabus: GS-III
FAQs
Where is the 45th IITF held?
At Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Sources: PIB: Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurates 45th India International Trade Fair 2026
Last verified: 2026-11-14
