New Delhi: Exports from India’s operational special economic zones (SEZs) surged 32.02 per cent to over ₹11.70 lakh crore in 2025‑26 (till December 2025), the government announced on Saturday.

According to the official statement, India currently has 368 notified SEZs, with a total investment of ₹7.86 lakh crore. These zones collectively employ more than 31.73 lakh people, highlighting their pivotal role in industrial growth and employment generation.

The Union Budget 2026‑27 introduced a special one-time provision allowing eligible SEZ manufacturing units to sell a prescribed proportion of output in the domestic tariff area (DTA) at concessional duty rates. The government noted that regulatory amendments will ensure a level playing field while enabling units to optimise capacity, achieve economies of scale, lower export costs, and strengthen the SEZ ecosystem.

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The government added that extending tax incentives to cloud and data-centre operations within SEZs is expected to attract global manufacturers and technology firms, bolstering India’s investment climate and positioning the country as a preferred destination for high-tech industries.

SEZs, operating under a distinct regulatory and fiscal framework, have consistently enhanced India’s global trade competitiveness. By providing fiscal incentives, streamlined approvals, and modern infrastructure, SEZs have facilitated specialised industrial clusters, encouraged innovation and technology adoption, and accelerated export-led growth.

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Since the enactment of the SEZ Act in May 2005, these zones have not only increased foreign exchange earnings and industrial output but also contributed to local economies through direct and indirect employment, the emergence of business ecosystems, and improved socio-economic outcomes.

In June 2025, the government notified two new SEZs: one in Sanand, Gujarat for semiconductor manufacturing and another in Dharwad, Karnataka for electronic component production, signalling India’s push in strategic high-tech sectors.

With continued policy support, fiscal incentives, and modern infrastructure, SEZs are poised to remain key drivers of India’s export growth, industrial expansion, and global investment attractiveness. 

IANS