Piyush Goyal sets March 2027 deadline for digitisation of DGFT services, aims to end physical visits

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has set March 31, 2027, as the deadline for fully digitizing services offered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with the aim of phasing out physical office visits starting April 1, 2027, according to a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement. This announcement coincides with Goyal's virtual inauguration of Vanijya Bhawan and Udyog Bhawan in Jaipur, marking Rajasthan as the initial state to consolidate Ministry and affiliated organizations under one roof.

Goyal lauded the Department of Commerce and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for their efforts, urging nationwide replication of this model, particularly in state capitals. He envisions these centers as comprehensive hubs for promoting exports, investments, international trade, and industrial development, while bolstering businesses' role in Viksit Bharat 2047.

Goyal highlighted that co-locating government offices, coupled with digitization and faceless assessments, would bolster transparency, accountability, and public confidence. A unified presence in every State would assure businesses and stakeholders of accessible support and guidance via a single location.

Emphasizing that the initiative should transcend merely consolidating government offices, Goyal stressed the need to enhance service delivery, streamline procedures, and elevate ease of doing business. He called for amplified collaboration from government departments, state representatives, exporters, importers, investors, and industry stakeholders to ensure effective implementation. By March 31, 2027, all services, including applications for licenses, permits, and SCOMET approvals, must be accessible online.

Digitization of historical data and records held by Regional Authorities (RAs) of the DGFT nationwide is also mandated. From April 1, 2027, applicants will no longer need to physically visit government offices for service access. For document verification, Goyal proposed setting up dedicated counters and installing computers at office entrances to streamline the process. He further advocated for self-certification and a trust-based approach, urging a reduction in unnecessary procedural requirements.

Goyal advocated for process, format, and form simplification, urging departments to dismantle organizational silos and collaborate for improved outcomes. Effective coordination between the two departments and the various organizations under the Ministry would be crucial to achieving the initiative's objectives, the release concluded.