The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has expanded eligibility for its “Source from India” service to include DPIIT-recognised startups, marking a significant step toward promoting innovation-led exports and strengthening India’s global trade ecosystem.
What does the new eligibility expansion cover?
The decision, notified through Trade Notice No. 16 dated August 6, 2026, allows eligible DPIIT-recognised startups to showcase their products and capabilities on Trade Connect, the government’s official digital buyer discovery platform. With effect from August 6, 2026, qualifying startups will be able to create dedicated microsites on the platform and will be identified through a unique Start-up Badge, making them easily discoverable by overseas buyers.
What is Trade Connect and its “Source from India” feature?
Trade Connect, launched by the Department of Commerce, serves as a one-stop digital interface connecting Indian exporters with trade-related services and institutional support. Its flagship “Source from India” feature enables eligible exporters to create dedicated digital microsites, allowing international buyers to discover reliable Indian suppliers and connect with them directly.
How does the onboarding process work for early-stage exporters?
To encourage early-stage exporters, a special onboarding provision has been introduced. DPIIT-recognised startups holding an active Import Export Code that is not on the Denied Entity List will be eligible to create profiles on “Source from India” even if they do not currently meet the standard export performance criteria, with their onboarding subject to verification through the DGFT IEC database. Startup users already registered on Trade Connect with accounts linked to eligible IECs will automatically receive the option to create their microsites from their dashboard, supported by a detailed user guide for registration.
What impact is this expansion expected to have?
The initiative is expected to strengthen participation of innovation-driven enterprises in international trade by giving them enhanced visibility on an official government platform, while supporting export diversification and promoting technology-led products and services. It builds on the earlier expansion of “Source from India,” under which all valid IEC holders meeting prescribed export realisation criteria became eligible to join the platform.
What does this mean for India’s startup and export ecosystem?
By extending the platform to India’s startup ecosystem, the government aims to create new opportunities for innovative enterprises to access global markets while reinforcing India’s export competitiveness and its broader ambition to emerge as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
