India exported a record US$863.1 billion in goods and services in FY 2025-26, including US$441.8 billion in merchandise exports.
For exporters, the useful question is not only *what India exports most*, but also *which categories are gaining momentum*.
For exporters, the useful question is not only *what India exports most*, but also *which categories are gaining momentum*.
TL;DR
- India's merchandise exports reached about US$441.8 billion in FY 2025-26.
- Engineering goods were the largest major export category at about US$122.4 billion.
- Electronic goods reached nearly US$48 billion and grew about 24.4% year on year, making them one of the strongest major growth categories.
- The top export mix also includes petroleum, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems and jewellery, textiles, rice and plastics.
Top 10 products exported from India in FY 2025-26
The Department of Commerce publishes export data in broad commodity groups rather than individual SKUs.
| Rank | Export category | FY 2025-26 exports | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engineering goods | US$122.43B | +4.9% |
| 2 | Petroleum products | US$53.83B | -15.1% |
| 3 | Electronic goods | US$47.96B | +24.4% |
| 4 | Drugs & pharmaceuticals | US$31.12B | +2.1% |
| 5 | Organic & inorganic chemicals | US$28.67B | -0.1% |
| 6 | Gems & jewellery | US$28.21B | -5.4% |
| 7 | Ready-made garments of all textiles | US$15.77B | -1.4% |
| 8 | Cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups & handloom products | US$11.59B | -3.9% |
| 9 | Rice | US$11.54B | -7.5% |
| 10 | Plastic & linoleum | US$8.28B | -7.1% |
These are broad export commodity groups, so product-level demand and regulations can differ significantly.
1. Engineering goods
Engineering goods were India's largest major merchandise export category in FY 2025-26 at US$122.43 billion, growing 4.9% year on year.
The category spans industrial machinery, auto components, electrical equipment, iron and steel products, pumps and engines.
Certification, technical standards and buyer specifications vary by product and destination.
2. Petroleum products
Petroleum-product exports reached about US$53.83 billion in FY 2025-26, making them India's second-largest major export group despite falling 15.1% year on year.
It remains economically significant, but it is a capital-intensive and highly regulated sector rather than a realistic entry point for most small exporters.
3. Electronic goods
Electronic-goods exports reached approximately US$47.96 billion, up 24.4% from FY 2024-25.
Products include smartphones, components, consumer electronics and industrial electronic equipment.
4. Drugs and pharmaceuticals
India exported approximately US$31.12 billion of drugs and pharmaceuticals in FY 2025-26.
Exporters must comply with product registration, quality, labelling and destination-country requirements.
5. Organic and inorganic chemicals
Exports of organic and inorganic chemicals were about US$28.67 billion.
Hazardous-material, labelling, documentation and destination-specific safety rules make compliance an important part of export planning.
6. Gems and jewellery
Gems and jewellery exports reached about US$28.21 billion in FY 2025-26.
The category remains large, although exports declined about 5.4% year on year.
7. Ready-made garments
Ready-made garment exports were approximately US$15.77 billion.
International success depends on design, pricing, logistics, returns and buyer-market preferences.
8. Cotton textiles and handloom products
Cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups and handloom-product exports reached about US$11.59 billion.
9. Rice
Rice exports were approximately US$11.54 billion in FY 2025-26.
India serves large global markets for both basmati and non-basmati rice. Exporters need to watch agricultural-export rules, destination-country food standards, quality requirements and policy changes affecting specific rice categories.
10. Plastic and linoleum
Plastic and linoleum exports were about US$8.28 billion in FY 2025-26.
Export opportunity depends heavily on the specific product because packaging, industrial plastics and consumer goods can face different sustainability, material and product-safety requirements.
Which Indian export categories are growing fastest?
The ranking by export value and the ranking by growth are not the same.
Among these ten large categories in FY 2025-26:
- Electronic goods: +24.4%
- Engineering goods: +4.9%
- Drugs & pharmaceuticals: +2.1%
Meanwhile, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, garments, cotton textiles, rice and plastics declined year on year.
That is why exporters should not pick a category simply because it appears in a "top exports" list. Look at:
- demand in the target country
- your sourcing/manufacturing advantage
- regulatory barriers
- logistics economics
- competitive intensity
- payment and working-capital requirements
Where are Indian products being exported?
India trades with more than 200 markets.
Current Department of Commerce trade data identifies the United States, UAE, China, Netherlands and United Kingdom among India's leading merchandise-export destinations.
Getting paid for exports from India
Finding an overseas buyer is only one part of export operations.
Indian exporters also need to manage invoice currency, payment terms, foreign-exchange conversion, proof of inward remittance, reconciliation and export-realisation documentation.
PayGlocal's Multi-Currency Account gives eligible Indian exporters local collection details in major currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, CAD and AUD, while supporting collections in 33+ currencies across 180+ countries.
It also brings payment records together with FIRA and export-compliance workflows such as EDPMS closure and eBRC.
