Merchandise exports

India’s total exports of merchandise and services rose 13.31 percent year-on-year to USD 80.14 billion in July 2026, compared with USD 70.72 billion in the same month last year, (2025 July) according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Total imports during the month also increased by 15.83 percent to USD 95.16 billion from USD 82.16 billion in July 2025. The overall trade deficit stood at USD 15.03 billion, compared with USD 11.43 billion a year earlier.

• Merchandise exports recorded strong growth of 19.63 percent, rising to USD 44.24 billion in July 2026 from USD 36.98 billion in July 2025.

• Services exports were estimated at USD 35.89 billion during the month, compared with USD 33.74 billion a year earlier. The services data for July is an estimate, as the latest services-sector data released by the Reserve Bank of India is for June 2026.

• During April-July 2026-27, India’s total exports of merchandise and services are estimated at USD 316.42 billion, registering a growth of 13.16 per cent over USD 279.63 billion in the corresponding period of 2025-26.

• Total imports during the four-month period rose 17.28 percent to USD 365.85 billion, compared with USD 311.94 billion a year earlier. The cumulative trade deficit stood at USD 49.43 billion.

• Merchandise exports during April-July 2026-27 increased 17.04 per cent to USD 173.78 billion from USD 148.48 billion in the corresponding period last year.

• Non-petroleum exports also recorded growth, rising 12.79 percent to USD 143.61 billion during the April-July period from USD 127.32 billion a year earlier.

PM-POSHAN

The Centre allocated around 24.15 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of foodgrains to States and Union Territories under the PM-POSHAN scheme during 2025-26, down from 25.31 lakh MT in 2024-25 and 26.82 lakh MT in 2023-24, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha on 10 August 2026. Under PM-POSHAN, the Centre and States jointly provide hot and nutritious meals to children studying in Bal Vatika and Classes I to VIII in government and government-aided schools. The Central Government provides 100 percent assistance towards the cost of foodgrains, transportation and Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (MME).

• The foodgrains are supplied through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), with allocations made twice a year by the Department of School Education and Literacy in consultation with the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

• Among states, Bihar received the highest allocation in 2025-26 at 3,01,148.29 MT, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 2,97,399.06 MT, Maharashtra at 2,49,637.79 MT and West Bengal at 2,29,596.92 MT.

• Madhya Pradesh received 1,30,864.22 MT, while Rajasthan received 1,32,888.46 MT. Karnataka was allocated 1,15,707.65 MT and Gujarat 1,17,839.94 MT.

• Odisha received 1,28,285.65 MT, while Assam was allocated 89,238 MT and Jharkhand 81,904.97 MT.

• The overall allocation stood at 26,81,575.28 MT in 2023-24, declined to 25,31,266.40 MT in 2024-25, and further to 24,15,007.25 MT in 2025-26.

President Donald Trump to impose 100 tariffs

♦ The US Senate has approved a bill that will allow President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on the world's top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China. The bill, named in honour of Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11, was approved by the Senate by an 86-11 vote. 

♦ The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for approval when it reconvenes on August 31.

MSME Sustainable

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is promoting quality-driven and environmentally sustainable manufacturing through the MSME Sustainable (Zero Defect, Zero Effect – ZED) Certification Scheme, with more than 6.7 lakh MSMEs receiving certification to enhance their competitiveness in domestic and global markets. The scheme aims to help MSMEs improve manufacturing processes, adopt higher quality standards and reduce their environmental footprint. A major focus of the initiative is encouraging women entrepreneurs, with the government providing a 100 percent subsidy on the cost of ZED certification for women-owned MSMEs since November 11, 2023, effectively making the certification free for eligible enterprises.

• The ZED framework offers Bronze, Silver and Gold certifications, allowing MSMEs to progressively improve their quality and sustainability standards. In addition to certification support, eligible enterprises can avail financial assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost of testing, system or product certification (up to Rs.50,000), Rs.2 lakh for consultancy and handholding support, and ₹3 lakh for adopting cleaner technologies, pollution-control measures and Zero Effect solutions.

• As of July 7, 2026, nearly 9.49 lakh MSMEs had registered under the scheme. Of these, over 6.67 lakh received Bronze certification, around 6,700 achieved Silver certification and about 4,800 secured Gold certification. The ministry said financial assistance exceeding RS.913 crore has been extended to help enterprises adopt quality and sustainable manufacturing practices.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

♦ The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted the second edition of the Defence MSME Manufacturers Forum (DMMF) under the theme “Make in India for the World: Empower MSMEs for India’s Defence & Aerospace Future,” in Hyderabsd on 1 August 2026. The forum focused on enhancing the role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country's defence production and aerospace supply chain. 

♦ According to a report released by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the production of the Indian defence goods was Rs.1.78 lakh crore in the fiscal year of 2025-26 while the export of the defence goods was Rs.38,000 crore which indicates that India has established itself as a trustworthy exporter of defence goods and technologies globally. The policy changes along with increased procurement have made MSMEs contribute significantly to the defence supply chain of India. 

♦ Hyderabad, widely regarded as India's Defence Capital, continues to play a pivotal role in this transformation. The city is home to leading Defence Public Sector Undertakings, DRDO laboratories, missile and aerospace manufacturing facilities, defence electronics companies, advanced engineering firms and a rapidly expanding network of technology-driven MSMEs and startups.