DPIIT startups made eligible for Source from India platform

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has expanded eligibility for the “Source from India” feature on the Trade Connect ePlatform to include eligible DPIIT-recognised start-ups. The move will allow qualifying start-ups to create their own microsites and showcase their products and credentials to international buyers.

Under the revised criteria, DPIIT-recognised start-ups that meet the eligibility requirements can register under “Source from India” and receive a unique start-up badge linked to their profiles. Their export activity may be verified through the DGFT Importer Exporter Code (IEC) database.

The DGFT has also provided a special exception for DPIIT-recognised start-ups that do not meet the existing export eligibility criteria. Such start-ups can register on “Source from India” if they hold an active IEC and are not included in the DELI list.

The “Source from India” feature was rolled out for eligible IECs meeting a minimum export realisation of $100,000 in at least one of the previous three financial years at the time of application. The DGFT’s eBRC database will be used as the sole reference for export realisation data, with eligibility determined on an aggregate eBRC value available for a financial year.

The Trade Connect ePlatform is designed as a digital interface to support Indian exporters and help international buyers discover Indian exporters. The DGFT said the inclusion of start-ups will give them visibility on an official buyer-discovery platform and support their export growth and access to global markets.

Start-up users registered on Trade Connect whose profiles are linked to eligible IECs will automatically see the option to create a “Source from India” microsite on their dashboard. Indian Missions abroad have also been advised to use the platform as a reference point when foreign buyers seek Indian suppliers.