DGFT’s Special Drive Clears Export Backlog, EODC Approvals Surge Over 3x in March 2026

In a major boost to India's export ecosystem and ease of doing business, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has successfully completed a time-bound Special Campaign for expedited issuance of Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODCs), delivering record approvals and sharply reducing backlog.

The campaign, conducted from March 1 to March 31, 2026, focused on pending cases under the Advance Authorisation (AA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) schemes—two key pillars of India's export promotion framework.

Record Surge in EODC Approvals

The results of the campaign highlight a dramatic improvement in processing efficiency:

• 12,690 EODCs approved in March 2026, compared to 3,747 in February

• A 3.39 times increase month-on-month

• 242% rise under the AA scheme

• 234% rise under the EPCG scheme

Remarkably, approvals in just one month nearly matched the pace of the previous 11 months (April 2025–February 2026), during which 44,018 EODCs were issued.

Massive Backlog Reduction

The campaign led to a significant clearing of pending cases:

• 59% of backlog cleared under AA scheme

• 54% of backlog cleared under EPCG scheme

Overall, in-progress cases dropped from 15,360 (March 1, 2026) to 3,966 (April 1, 2026) — a 74% reduction, despite the addition of 6,740 new cases during the same period.

Near-Complete Processing Rates

DGFT achieved exceptionally high processing efficiency:

• 97% processing rate under AA scheme

  • 13,238 out of 13,627 cases processed

• 98% processing rate under EPCG scheme

  • 8,281 out of 8,473 cases processed

This performance reflects strong coordination across DGFT Regional Authorities, supported by daily review meetings chaired by senior officials.

Why EODCs Matter for Exporters

EODCs are critical for exporters as they:

• Enable formal closure of export obligations

• Facilitate release of bank guarantees and bonds

• Reduce compliance burden and disputes

• Improve liquidity and cash flow for businesses

Faster issuance directly translates into reduced financial stress and improved operational efficiency for exporters.

Campaign Extended Until May 2026

Encouraged by the success, the government has extended the Special Drive until May 31, 2026, with detailed guidelines issued on March 30.

The extension aims to:

• Further clear residual backlog

• Maintain high processing efficiency

• Strengthen export facilitation mechanisms

Strengthening India's Export Ecosystem

The initiative underscores the government's commitment to:

• Enhancing ease of doing business

• Reducing procedural delays and grievances

• Promoting a transparent and efficient trade framework

By accelerating the closure of export obligations and unlocking blocked capital, the campaign is expected to boost exporter confidence and competitiveness in global markets.