You’ve probably heard the big news: India is now the 4th largest economy in the world! That’s a massive achievement and something we all should feel proud of. It didn’t happen overnight. This moment is the result of years of hard work, smart decisions, and the unstoppable energy of Indian businesses and entrepreneurs.
Now, one of the big reasons India has reached this milestone is because of exports. Sending our goods and services to countries across the globe brings in valuable money from outside, creates jobs for our people, and shows the world what India is capable of. Whether it’s textiles, machinery, software, or even handmade crafts, our products are in demand all over the world.
But have you ever wondered which states are leading this export boom? Who’s contributing the most? The latest export numbers for April 2024 to March 2025 give us a great snapshot of how each state is playing a part in this big win for India.
And let me tell you, it’s not just the big states. From Gujarat to Tamil Nadu and even smaller regions like Puducherry and Manipur, the entire country is helping India rise to the top. It’s a moment worth celebrating!
Here’s a brief on state-specific export data:
| States/UT | Total Exports Apr’24 – Mar’25 ($Mn) | Mar-25 Exports ($Mn) | Feb-25 Exports ($Mn) | % Growth MoM | % Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | 116,331.72 | 10,064.79 | 9,761.20 | 3.11% | 29.88% |
| Maharashtra | 65,855.27 | 6,519.22 | 5,494.49 | 18.65% | 16.92% |
| Tamil Nadu | 52,073.59 | 5,561.67 | 4,593.96 | 21.06% | 13.38% |
| Karnataka | 30,480.51 | 3,325.66 | 2,919.48 | 13.91% | 7.83% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 21,980.43 | 2,191.21 | 1,832.99 | 19.54% | 5.65% |
| Andhra Pradesh | 20,782.11 | 2,146.04 | 1,458.14 | 47.18% | 5.34% |
| Telangana | 19,122.56 | 1,732.30 | 1,460.45 | 18.61% | 4.91% |
| West Bengal | 12,667.55 | 1,278.73 | 1,055.10 | 21.20% | 3.25% |
| Odisha | 10,097.97 | 978.58 | 848.46 | 15.34% | 2.59% |
| Madhya Pradesh | 7,824.76 | 790.5 | 638.13 | 23.88% | 2.01% |
| Rajasthan | 7,165.11 | 0 | 1,006.18 | -417.08% | 1.84% |
| Kerala | 4,772.24 | 469.01 | 410.99 | 14.12% | 1.23% |
| Daman & Diu And Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 4,645.68 | 412.36 | 336.32 | 22.61% | 1.19% |
| Haryana | 2,493.49 | 0 | 1,633.66 | -998.84% | 0.64% |
| Goa | 2,476.25 | 260.97 | 174.85 | 49.25% | 0.64% |
| Chhattisgarh | 2,188.95 | 195.03 | 221.72 | -12.04% | 0.56% |
| Bihar | 2,041.24 | 162.88 | 200.22 | -18.65% | 0.52% |
| Jharkhand | 1,897.77 | 101.48 | 155.83 | -34.88% | 0.49% |
| Punjab | 1,842.49 | 0 | 583.54 | -874.38% | 0.47% |
| Delhi | 875.72 | 0 | 920.44 | -1061.42% | 0.22% |
| Assam | 550.58 | 45.49 | 49.47 | -8.05% | 0.14% |
| Puducherry | 516.81 | 53.21 | 39.84 | 33.56% | 0.13% |
| Himachal Pradesh | 227.66 | 0 | 185.82 | -1165.47% | 0.06% |
| Uttarakhand | 226.38 | 0 | 114.20 | -1255.93% | 0.06% |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 69.71 | 0 | 24.63 | -632.79% | 0.02% |
| Meghalaya | 32.85 | 7.58 | 7.35 | 3.16% | 0.01% |
| Sikkim | 19.63 | 2.39 | 1.67 | 42.96% | 0.01% |
| Chandigarh | 14.48 | 0 | 6.83 | -1396.94% | 0.00% |
| Tripura | 12.13 | 0.11 | 0.02 | 499.33% | 0.00% |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 1.93 | 0.13 | 0.01 | 1015.07% | 0.00% |
| Nagaland | 1.60 | 0.22 | 0 | 7937.39% | 0.00% |
| Manipur | 1.21 | 0 | 0.05 | -98.90% | 0.00% |
| Andaman & Nicobar | 1.05 | 0.18 | 0.09 | 92.78% | 0.00% |
| Lakshadweep | 0.75 | 0 | 0 | 2147478675640626.50% | 0.00% |
| Mizoram | 0.23 | 0.01 | 0 | 255.05% | 0.00% |
| Ladakh | 0.00 | 0 | 0.07 | -212.96% | 0% |
(Data Source: NIRYAT)
Gujarat
At the top of the leaderboard is Gujarat, contributing a staggering $116.33 billion, which accounts for over 26.5% of India’s total exports. With its world-class port infrastructure, strategic location, and strength in sectors like petrochemicals, gems and jewellery, and pharmaceuticals, Gujarat is a perfect example of how focused industrial policy and infrastructure can transform a region into a global export hub.
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
Maharashtra ($65.86 billion) and Tamil Nadu ($52.07 billion) follow closely behind, showcasing the importance of sectoral diversity. The financial capital of the nation Maharashtra, thrives on its robust financial services ecosystem and its prowess in engineering goods, software services, and automobiles. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, leads in textiles, leather goods, electronics, and auto components, reflecting the value of specialised clusters and consistent policy support.
These states highlight how diversity in exports makes economies more resilient and better equipped to navigate global shocks and shifts in demand.
Southern States
Karnataka, with $30.48 billion, continues to shine due to its dominant position in IT and electronics exports, while Andhra Pradesh ($20.78 billion) leverages its strengths in agriculture, seafood, and mineral-based industries. Telangana, contributing $19.12 billion, draws power from its globally recognised pharmaceutical and IT sectors.
This southern dynamism demonstrates how export-led growth isn’t limited to manufacturing alone but extends to high-value services and agro-based products.
Northern and Eastern States
Uttar Pradesh emerges as a northern frontrunner with $21.98 billion, driven by traditional industries like handicrafts, leather, and textiles. It illustrates how heritage sectors still hold massive potential in the global market when backed by efficient logistics and trade facilitation.
In the east, West Bengal ($12.66 billion) and Odisha ($10.09 billion) are making strides with steel, tea, and agro-exports. These states are benefiting from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and policy reforms, proving that focused efforts can place even traditionally underserved regions on the global trade map.
What makes this milestone particularly noteworthy is the inclusive nature of export growth. States and Union Territories, regardless of their size, geography, or existing infrastructure, are stepping up. While traditional export powerhouses like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat continue to lead with robust industrial and logistical ecosystems, smaller states and hinterland regions are also carving out niches for themselves.
For instance:
- Punjab and Haryana are leveraging agro-based exports.
- Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh continue to shine in textiles, handicrafts, and jewellery.
- North-eastern states like Mizoram and Manipur are slowly entering the export map, thanks to focused government initiatives and better connectivity.
Smaller States and UTs
While the numbers may seem modest, the contributions from smaller states and UTs are meaningful and indicative of a more inclusive export footprint. For example:
- Daman and Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli exported $4.64 billion, thanks to robust manufacturing clusters.
- Goa posted $2.47 billion, and even small territories like Puducherry ($0.52 billion) and Delhi ($0.87 billion) remained active contributors.
- Remote and often overlooked regions like Mizoram, Manipur, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have also registered export activity.
These achievements showcase how India’s foreign trade policy is reaching even the furthest corners, enabling local industries to tap into global demand.
India’s Export Engine and Global Ambitions
India’s journey toward becoming a $5 trillion economy is gaining strong momentum, and at the heart of this progress lies a powerful growth lever, export-led growth. The recent achievement of $437 billion in total exports for FY 2024–25 is not just a landmark figure; it reflects India’s deepening integration with global supply chains, increasing export competitiveness, and expanding footprint in India’s global trade.
As India overtakes Japan’s economy to become the 4th largest economy in the world, its export performance underscores the country’s rising influence in international commerce. This achievement has been powered by dynamic reforms in foreign trade policy, massive infrastructure upgrades, and strong participation from MSMEs and states across the country.
Future: The Road to a $5 Trillion Economy
Exports will play a foundational role in India’s continued economic ascent. By boosting foreign exchange reserves, reducing trade imbalances, and attracting global investment, exports create a ripple effect that benefits the entire economy. The path to sustained growth, however, demands strategic action across several fronts:
- Investing in infrastructure: Multimodal logistics hubs, inland container depots, and digital trade corridors are vital to reduce turnaround time and logistics costs.
- Skilling for global markets: High-value export sectors require a skilled workforce. India must invest in specialised skilling and upskilling programs tailored to export-oriented industries.
- Expanding trade agreements: Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)—both bilateral and multilateral- will be instrumental in opening access to new markets and removing trade barriers.
- Fostering regional specialisation: Building sector-specific export clusters in tier-2, tier-3 cities and rural belts will help tap underutilised production capacities and enhance export competitiveness.
The Bigger Picture: What Export Growth Truly Represents
India’s export growth is more than a statistical triumph, it’s a reflection of the country’s growing stature, reliability, and innovation on the global stage. Each product that leaves Indian shores, from software in Bengaluru and pharmaceuticals in Hyderabad to garments in Tiruppur and brassware in Moradabad, embodies India’s global promise and its ability to meet diverse international standards.
This $437 billion figure is a result of:
- Expanding manufacturing ecosystems and industrial capacities.
- Robust infrastructure that facilitates faster and more efficient trade.
- Improved policy frameworks, including customs simplification and digitisation.
- MSME empowerment, with state and central governments backing entrepreneurs through incentives, awareness, and compliance support.
Importantly, this growth also contributes to a potential trade surplus, helping reduce dependency on imports and enhancing macroeconomic stability.
India and the Global Trade Realignment
The post-pandemic world has seen major realignments in global supply chains. Geopolitical developments, shifting production bases, and calls for diversification have opened new windows for India to position itself as a trusted global trade partner. With proactive diplomacy, export-friendly policies, and a focus on reliability, India is seizing this opportunity to emerge as a preferred sourcing and trading hub.
Being the 4th largest economy now is not just about GDP, it’s about India’s capability to lead in global trade, shape negotiations in international forums, and assert its role in the world’s economic future.
Final Thought
India’s $437 billion export milestone is not the destination, it’s the launchpad. The future belongs to nations that can blend local strengths with global opportunities. India’s identity as a competitive, reliable, and future-ready export powerhouse is growing stronger with every passing year.
With cooperative federalism, visionary policymaking, and ongoing reforms in foreign trade policy, India’s export engine is accelerating, and the goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy is no longer distant.
As each state and sector joins this movement, the story of India’s export growth will inspire not just national pride but also global recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
It shows strong India export growth, rising global trust, and deeper integration with global supply chains.
They boost forex, reduce trade deficit, and support the goal of a $5 trillion economy.
Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu lead, with strengths in pharma, petrochemicals, textiles, and IT.
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) open new markets and make Indian goods more competitive.
Better infrastructure, strong FTAs, skilled workforce, and support for MSMEs and rural clusters.
