India's exports rise 13% in January, deficit widens

India’s overall exports, merchandise and services combined, increased by 13.16 per cent year-on-year to USD 80.45 billion in January 2026, compared with USD 71.09 billion in January 2025, according to data released by the Commerce Ministry on Monday.

- TBG NETWORK

However, overall imports during the month grew at a faster pace of 18.77 per cent, rising to USD 90.83 billion from USD 76.48 billion in January 2025, the ministry data showed. As a result, India’s overall trade deficit, merchandise and services combined, widened significantly to USD 10.38 billion in January 2026, nearly doubling from USD 5.39 billion in the corresponding month last year.

In January, both merchandise and services exports and imports rose. Merchandise exports rose from USD 36.34 billion to USD 36.56 billion, while services exports rose from USD 34.75 billion to USD 43.90 billion.