The export involves the economy as an essential engine for economic growth, key channel for international trade and important measure of a nation’s industrial and technological edge. For a fast growing economy like that filled with ambitions to become a powerhouse of the global economy, the role of the export firms of India and the larger export ecosystem is pivotal.
Exports are more than the business of selling goods and services across borders; Export Companies in India they are integral elements in the earning of valuable foreign exchange, involvement in the present account deficit, creation of employment, driving innovation, and increasing overall economic resilience. Export-oriented growth is also a contributing factor to regional development. Going on the premise that companies are attempting to save money as well as exploiting local resources; industrial activity will tend to decentralize, and create Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where manufacturing and export will take place.
However, the sector has its challenges despite these contributions. On the issue of high logistics cost – which is being taken care of with measures such as PM Gati Shakti– there are still concerns. Greater diversification in the export basket to cushion against shocks from sectoral downturns, and the urgency to invest in R&D to take up the higher value chain are areas that need constant attention.
In its efforts to chart a course through the complexities of the global economy as it exists, the resiliency, flexibility and competitiveness of Export Companies in India. Indian export companies will be critical to defining its economic path, thus reemphasizing the enduring, if not increasing, importance of this life blood of the economy. The ability of India to become a $5 trillion economy and a trading power in the world depends vitally on the dynamism and sustained growth of its exports.
Understanding India’s Export Landscape
Early 2025 sees an India export map that has a flavour of hardy resilience and dynamic expansion, though against a backdrop of turbulent global economic currents marked by the geopolitical uncertainties, inflationary squeeze in some core economies, and changing trade regimes. With strategic government initiatives to its side, Export Companies in India have had to maneuver through these headwinds, and in their journey they have shown a willingness to adapt to new opportunities.
Export Performance (Overview FY2024-25 & Early 2025)
The financial year 2024-25 (April 2024 – March 2025) has ended while revealing commendable growth in India’s overall exports (merchandise and services combined). According to preliminary estimates, total exports shot up by nearly 6% to cross the $820 billion mark from $ 778 billion of the last fiscal (Source: According to The Economic Times, April 2025; PIB, April 2025) ( This performance is especially remarkable because of the global downturn and strains in the trade that occurred at the time.
Breaking it down into figures, merchandise exports for FY 2024-25 were projected to be about $450 billion (based on an initial estimate for FY 2024-25). Time periods during the fiscal year had discouraged merchandise exports on a year-on-year basis from base effects and lackluster demand in some industries, but in some crucial areas, including electronics, engineering goods, and pharmaceuticals, this was more than made up for by strong growth elsewhere. For example, non-petroleum & non-gems & jewellery exports – yet another indicator of the core manufacturing strength – registered positive growth – signalling resilience in underlying Export Companies in India.
Key Export Destinations and Products
India’s export strategy has been centered on building its position in both traditional and new/emerging markets.
Major Export Destinations (FY2024-25):
- United States of America (USA): Continued to be India’s largest export destination.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): One of its key trading partners receiving the benefit of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- Netherlands: Developed into an important European centre of Indian goods.
- Other Key Markets: Bangladesh, Singapore, Germany and the United Kingdom also rank among the top export destinations of India.
Top Export Product Categories (FY2024-25):
- Engineering Goods ($116.67 billion): Features operate a vast merchandise with iron and metal devices, industrial device, car pieces, and electrical object.
- Petroleum Products (approx. $90.4 billion in FY2024-25): Refined petroleum products, after facing some fluctuations caused by global price instability, remain the primary export item, utilizing India’s great refining facilities.
- Electronic Goods ($38.58 billion): Mobile phone, consumer electronics, components, driven by. This category has posted the fastest growth.
- Gems & Jewellery (est. $38.1 billion in FY2024-25): A traditional market, but struggling against the impact of changing global demand and competition.
- Drugs & Pharmaceuticals ($30.47 billion): In scope of generic drugs, APIs, vaccines, biosimilars.
- Organic and Inorganic Chemicals: Large export category catering wide range of industry globally.
- Textiles & Apparel (RMG at $15.99 B. + other textiles): Includes yarns Manuals, fabric, made-ups, garment.
- Agricultural Products: Chiefly rice ($12.47 billion), marine products, spices, coffee ($1.81 billion), tea, fruits and vegetables.
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Impact of Global Economic Environment and Domestic Factors
India’s exports performance in 2024-2025 has been influenced by the conjunction of international and domestic factors.
Global Headwinds:
- Slowing Global Growth: But some of the developed economies got a slowdown, which slows down demand for some things. The OECD downgraded its world GDP forecasts last year for 2025.
- Protectionist Measures and Trade Tensions: Rise of protectionism, escalating US-China trade tariffs, and a rise in Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) worldwide compromised exporters.
- Currency Volatility: Volatility of the Indian rupee against major currencies such as the US dollar exposes exporters to threat as well as opportunity for pricing and profit margins.
Top 10 Export Companies in India
1. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)
Reliance Industries Limited is India’s largest private sector company and a world leader in the integrated energy business. The story of RIL began with founder Dhirubhai Ambani in 1966, back then it was a modest textile firm, but today it has diversified with a presence across the petrochemicals space, refineries, oil and gas exploration and the retail and telecom worlds. The firm’s Jamnagar refinery complex in Gujarat is the world’s largest refining hub processing more than 1.24 million barrels on a daily basis.
Under the leadership of Mukesh Ambani, RIL has always grown its global presence, in an organic manner, with targeted acquisitions and associations with international firms. Export Companies in India are able to employ over 200000 staff, and has been a key player in ensuring that India is established as a global manufacturing center of petroleum products. RIL’s innovation and technological advancement have made it possible for it to remain a competitive apple in international markets although the global oil prices have fluctuated.
Sector/Industry
Petrochemicals, Refining, Oil & Gas, Retail, Telecommunications
Main Export Products/Services
Refined petroleum products, Petrochemicals, Polymers, Polyester products, Synthetic fibers, Specialty chemicals
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, European Union (particularly Netherlands, United Kingdom, Italy), United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Australia, South Africa
2. Tata Group
The Tata Group is one of the oldest and sturdiest conglomerates of business in India with worldwide spread spread across various industries. A conglomerate that deals in salt and software, this was developed by Jamsetji in 1868 and it has more than 100 operating Export Companies in India in not less than 100 countries. The group has been instrumental in India’s industrial effort and remains at the forefront of country’s export initiatives. Having a total income above $128 billion, Tata companies employ over 750,000 employees worldwide.
The group is known for strong ethical practices, its corporate social responsibility initiatives, and sustainable business practices. Formerly led by N. Chandrasekaran, current chairman, this Tata Group has been concentrating on digital transformation while venturing into the world market economically through some strategic acquisition and partnerships. The wide range of the group’s portfolio enables one to maintain stability despite vicissitudes of the global market by the sectors.
Sector/Industry
Automotive, Steel, Information Technology, Consumer Products, Telecommunications, Hospitality, Chemicals
Main Export Products/Services
Automobiles and automotive components, Steel and related products, IT services and business process outsourcing, Chemicals, Consumer products, Luxury hospitality services
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, Latin America
3. Infosys Limited
Infosys Limited is now a leader in next generation’s digital services and consulting across the world, assisting clients in their digital transformation journey. Export Companies in India, which was incorporated in 1981 by seven engineers including N.R. Narayana Murthy with an initial capital of $250, is now a multi-billion dollar IT services global conglomerate with operations in 46 countries and a brand that only continues to grow. Less than 200 miles from the capital, Infosys is headquartered in Bangalore and employs more than 259, 000 professionals who serve clients in various industry verticals of banking, finance, insurance, manufacturing, and healthcare.
The company innovated the Global Delivery Model that transformed the IT services industry balancing quality services with cost effectiveness. Infosys has for years been listed among the most valuable companies in India, and has been globally recognised for innovation in business practices, corporate standards and value for sustainability. The CEO Salil Parekh has guided the company towards ensuring that the company achieves rapid digital transformation for its clients over its AI-led core strategy.
Sector/Industry
Information Technology Services, Digital Consulting, Software Development
Main Export Products/Services
IT consulting services, Enterprise software development, Systems integration, Application development and maintenance, Data analytics solutions, Cloud migration services, AI and automation solutions, Digital transformation consulting
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, European Union (especially United Kingdom, Germany, France), Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Nordic countries, Middle East
4. Wipro Limited
Wipro Limited has risen from its lowly status of a vegetable oil firm in 1945 to the status of the leading India IT services firm which has a global foot print. Beginning its journey under the guidance of M.H. Hasham Premji and later metamorphosed under his son Azim Premji, Wipro now stands at the wheels of a company, which provides integrated business, technology and process solutions around the globe.Export Companies in India have its headquarters in Bangalore and it employs about 250,000 professionals who render service to clients in over 66 countries. Wipro’s business model is that of providing technology-based business transformation services with the help of domain skill, process excellence and digital capabilities.
The company is recognised for its commitment to being sustainable and business being ethical, with it maintaining high global sustainability indices. In a leadership of CEO, Thierry Delaporte, Wipro has been advancing its growth strategy, with an obsession with cloud based transformations and improving its game in the emerging technologies. The powerful engineering lineage of the company has allowed it to create industry-specific solutions to complex business issues.
Sector/Industry
Information Technology Services, Business Process Management, Product Engineering
Main Export Products/Services
IT consulting and integration services, Application development and management, Infrastructure management, Business process outsourcing, Digital transformation solutions, Engineering R&D services, Analytics and AI solutions, Cybersecurity services
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada, Middle East, Singapore, New Zealand
5. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has come up as the largest pharmaceutical industry in India as well as fourth ranking commercial special generics pharmaceutical industry in the world. Sun Pharma founded by Dilip Shanghvi is a high quality pharmaceutical company that started with five psychiatric products in 1983 and through organic growth and strategic acquisitions including the landmark acquisition of Ranbaxy Laboratories reporting 36 per cent revenue from NEDC, has swung to reported a 60 per cent revenue in 2014. Export Companies in India, which is based in Mumbai, produces and promotes a complete range of pharmaceutical formulations and includes virtually every therapeutic area in its 44 manufacturing plants in 6 continents.
Sun pharma is a market leader in over 100 countries with a wide variety of more than 2000 marketed products. Building its reputation on the basis of supplying high-quality affordable drugs, Export Companies in India maintains a serious activity in research and development. During Shanghvi’s tenure, Sun Pharma has continued to target the most challenging chronic disease segments especially specialty therapeutic areas such as dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology as well as neurology. The company has over 38,000 employees worldwide and has been at the head of India’s pharmaceutical export growth.
Sector/Industry
Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Biotechnology
Main Export Products/Services
Generic prescription medicines, Over-the-counter products, Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), Specialty prescription drugs, Branded generics, Complex generics, Biosimilar products
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, European Union, Russia, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Middle East, Southeast Asian countries
6. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories is a worldwide pharmaceutical concern that is concerned about producing inexpensive and innovative medicines for healthier lives. The company is headed by Dr. Kallam Anji Reddy with for the period of 1984, the company has transformed itself from a small manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients to a fully integrated pharmaceutical company supplying drugs in worldwide markets. Dr. Reddy’s, headquartered in the Hyderabad area, has three key business segments under here: Global Generics, Pharmaceutical Services and Active Ingredients, and Proprietary Products.
The company has more than 22000 professionals from around the world in their current operations and they have world class manufacturing facilities in India, USA, UK and other countries. Through its consistent commitment to fill the gap in unmet medical needs over its R and D activities, Reddy’s has developed a strong brand image in terms of not only quality but also innovation. Directed by G.V. Prasad, and Satish Reddy, Export Companies in India have stuck to its founding vision of making medicines accessible to people all over the world while growing organically, as well as through strategic acquisitions.
Sector/Industry
Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Biotechnology
Main Export Products/Services
Generic prescription drugs, Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), Biosimilars, Over-the-counter products, Custom pharmaceutical services, Differentiated formulations, Complex generics
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, Other European countries, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, China, CIS countries
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7. Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is one of India’s biggest producers of automotive products and a global leader in production of farm equipment. M M was established in 1945 as a trading company dealing in steel but has since diversified to a conglomerate trading in 22 industries in 100 countries. With the visionary leadership of Anand Mahindra, the firm has turned from a local manufacturer of jeeps into a global automotive and tractor giant active in Aerospace, Defense, Information technology, Real estate, and Financial services.
Mumbai based M&M has more than 250,000 employees across their business verticals. The company is especially known for its rugged & durable utility trucks & tractors for difficult terrains & agro environments. Export Companies in India global expansion strategy has been to enter into new markets in emerging countries with products designed to suit local requirements with a core value proposition of delivering robust, value for money products.
Sector/Industry
Automotive, Farm Equipment, Defense, Aerospace, Information Technology
Main Export Products/Services
Utility vehicles, Tractors and farm equipment, Commercial vehicles, Electric vehicles, Agricultural implements, Automotive components, Defense products, Information technology services
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, Australia, South Africa, South and Central America, SAARC countries, Southeast Asia, Middle East, African countries, Europe
8. Bajaj Auto Limited
Bajaj Auto Limited has become one of India’s most successful manufacturers of two-wheeler and three-wheeler with a great global presence. The company, founded in 1945 by Jamnalal Bajaj as an importer of two and three-wheelers, has become a manufacturing empire under the leadership of Rahul Bajaj, and later his son, Rajiv Bajaj. Bajaj Auto, headquarter in pune – maharashtra operates three manufacturing facilities in India producing more than 4 million vehicles per year. Export Companies in India changed the face of two -wheeler market of India, which included iconic brands such as Chetak, Pulsar and Dominar and has gained an unimpeachable reputation for engineering prowess and out of the box design.
The alliance between Bajaj Auto and Bavarian-based KTM in Austria has brought more technological capabilities and global market usability for Bajaj Auto. The company is employing more than 10,000 people while it has maintained consistently high financial standing including one of the highest operating margins in the industry. Bajaj’s export oriented strategy has been critical for the company’s growth, reflected in the international sales volume which has played an important role in the company’s overall revenue and provides Export Companies in India the title of India’s largest exporter of motorcycles and three-wheelers.
Sector/Industry
Automotive, Two-wheelers, Three-wheelers
Main Export Products/Services
Motorcycles (sports, commuter, and premium segments), Three-wheelers (passenger and cargo carriers), Quadricycles, Spare parts and accessories, Engineering design services
Major Export Regions/Countries
Latin America (particularly Colombia, Mexico, Peru), Africa (Nigeria, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya), Middle East, Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Central America, South America
9. Maruti Suzuki India Limited
Maruti Suzuki India Limited is the largest passenger cars manufacturer in India and the market leader in the country’s automotive export sector. Originally a joint venture between the Government of India and Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation, set up in 1981, Maruti democratized India’s automobile industry by making car ownership a possibility for the middle class. Headquartered in New Delhi, Export Companies in India owns two state of the art manufacturing facilities located at Gurugram and Manesar with combined annual production capacity of over 1.5 million vehicles a year.
The firm has remained number one in the market under Kenichi Ayukawa’s guidance and while aggressively expanding globally. Having a pool of over 25,000 employees, Maruti Suzuki has grown to be known for reliability, fuel efficiency and good after sales service. The nationwide distribution of over 3,500 sales outlets in India supports the company’s export activities, which reach over 100 countries around the globe.
Sector/Industry
Automotive, Passenger Cars
Main Export Products/Services
Compact hatchbacks, Sedan cars, Multi-utility vehicles (MUVs), Sport utility vehicles (SUVs), Vans, Auto components, Engine assemblies, Technical expertise and knowledge transfer
Major Export Regions/Countries
Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, SAARC countries (Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh), European markets (particularly Italy, Netherlands, and France), Oceania
10. Bharat Forge Limited
Bharat Forge Limited now claims to be the largest forging company in the world and major global automotive component manufacturer. Established in 1966 by Nilkanthrao Kalyani, the company has grown from a small auto component supplier to a key player in the world’s automotive and other industrial sector’s manufacturing supply chains, including aerospace and defense, oil & gas among others. Bharat Forge, who’s headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, manufactures state of the art facilities in India, Germany, Sweden, France and North America with over 10,000 skill professionals. Its technological achievement is clear in its state of the art design and engineering capacities it uses to design complex facets for demanding application.
With Baba Kalyani at the helm of Bharat Forge, the company has ventured into diversification away from automotive components into defense, aerospace, et cetera high value manufacturing segments. The drive to innovation has seen Export Companies in India issuing over 160 patents and gaining the competitive advantage over other manufacturers through developing proprietary manufacturing processes. Bharat Forge’s strategic vision of becoming a full-system solutions provider as opposed to just component manufacturer has made it possible for it to climb up the value chain in global manufacturing.
Sector/Industry
Manufacturing, Automotive Components, Aerospace, Defense, Heavy Engineering
Main Export Products/Services
Crankshafts, Front axle beams and components, Transmission parts, Engine components, Chassis components, Aerospace components, Turbine components, Defense systems, Oil & gas equipment, Heavy industrial components
Major Export Regions/Countries
United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Japan, China, Brazil, Sweden, Turkey, South Korea
Emerging Trends and Opportunities in India’s Export Market
The trends reflect a worldwide movement towards digitalisation, sustainability and Export Companies in India resilience in supply chains, combined with India’s rising capabilities in high-value manufacturing and services.
Shift towards High-Value and Technology-Intensive Exports
One of the major trends is India’s steady though convinced shift from low value, traditional exports to high value, sophisticated, and technology based products.
- Electronics Manufacturing Surge: This is maybe the most apparent sign of this pattern. Driven by government support like the PLI scheme, India is transforming into an electronics manufacturing hub worldwide and is very well positioned in smartphone manufacturing and its components at a very fast pace. Companies are no longer only assembled but also so much more, increasingly sourcing components locally, and building a robust ecosystem. Exports of electronic goods elevated to $38.58 billion for FY2024-25. This also applies to consumer electronics, smart devices and industrial electronics.
- Growth in Engineering Goods: In the engineering goods segment, a clear tilt is observed towards more sophisticated machinery and tools, auto components (including EV components) as well.Export Companies in India are getting more equipped technically in order to measure themselves on tough global quality standards.
- Defence and Aerospace: Despite still being a minor element as far as overall export share is concerned, there is a strategic drive to expand exports of military hardware and aero components with help of local R&D and manufacturing capacity.
Rise of Services Exports Beyond IT/ITeS
As India’s service exports, IT and ITeS have traditionally been the dominant player (scheduled to touch $224 billion FY25E according to NASSCOM), however other services indiscriminately are showing growth and prospects.
- Global Capability Centers (GCCs): India is increasingly the point of preference for the MNCs to situate their GCCs, which offer a wide range of services such as R&D, engineering design, financial analysis, HR & legal services. More than 1,650 GCCs are in operation within India making a big impact in terms of high value exports for the service industry.
- Professional and Consulting Services: Firms and professionals in India increasingly provide high-end consulting services in management, finance, accounting, and engineering to the world’s customers. Export Companies in India are the 3rd largest exporter of ‘Other Business Services’.
- Tourism and Hospitality: As global travel gets underway once again, India’s rich mix of cultural and natural attractions hold huge potential for tourism revenue. Medical tourism, wellness tourism and educational services are also other areas of growth.
- Financial Services: The emergence of fintech and strength of the financial ecosystem of India is creating opportunities of exporting financial services and technology solutions.
- Research & Development Services: India is turning out to be a center of outsourced R&D services in different sectors including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and automotive.
Focus on Sustainability and Green Exports
As the rest of the world places greater focus on climate change and extinction, there are new export opportunities for Indian corporations.
- Renewable Energy Components: India is targeting the status of manufacturing economy for solar modules, wind turbine parts and green hydrogen technologies. Domestic manufacturers sent off 4.8 GW of solar modules in 2023 a significant increase.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem: With the world moving toward electric mobility, there is an increased need for EV parts, batteries, and charging infrastructural, an area, where India is actively pushing up home manufacturing under PLI schemes.
- Sustainable Textiles and Apparel: People all over the world are becoming more aware of the environmental/social impact of their purchases. Indian textile exporters who have embraced sustainable production practices, as well as producing organic products, can take advantage of the rapidly expanding segment of consumers interested in products based on such principles of production.
- Organic Agricultural Exports: Demand for Organic Food too is increasing in developed nations and hence a premium market for Indian agricultural exporters who can pass on certifications.
- Waste Management and Cycling Economy Solutions: Indian companies that design innovative solutions for waste recycling, resource efficiency and circular economy models will discover that there is room for export.
Conclusion
The journey of Export Companies in India sector in particular, as we move along, is a reflection of its strength, flexibility and burgeoning promise. Indian exporters from the giants to the nimble-footed MSMEs are becoming more and more ambitious to write a new chapter in the world arena for the sheer fact of innovation, quality consciousness and alignment of corporate strategy with national goals.
The impressive aggregate export numbers for FY2024-25 that dived past the $820 billion mark in an otherwise global headwind environment further attests to increasing clout as well as a diversified basket in India’s export portfolio and services exports have especially been vibrant in this regard with solid performers in critical merchandise categories such as electronics, pharma and engineering goods.
The emerging tendencies – the “defined turn” to high value and tech intensive manufacturing, the diversification of services exports beyond the traditional IT/ITeS, a greater emphasis on sustainability and green exports, the digitalisation of trade, and strategic pursuit of new markets – all point to a future that will see Indian exports more sophisticated, more resilient and more pliantly integrated globally.
From the future-oriented Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the impactful Production Linked Incentives schemes and the overarching ‘Make in India’ mission, the government initiatives are all delivering much needed tailwinds. The ground zero provision of development through PM Gati Shakti and initiatives such as RoDTEP will also serve to increase the competitiveness of Indian export companies.
FAQs
What were India’s primary products that it exported during FY 2024-25?
India’s main exports in FY 2024-25 were engineering goods, petroleum products, electronic goods (particularly mobile phones), drugs and pharmaceuticals.
What government initiatives are helping Indian exporters in 2025?
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 (aiming for $2 trillion exports by 2030), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes across 14 sectors, the “Make in India” initiative
Which are the new possibilities of exporting in India in 2025?
New opportunities emerge in electronics manufacturing of high value, engineering goods of a special nature, high-tech pharmaceuticals (biosimilars), services of GCC, green exports (solar components, EV parts).
What was the estimated value of total export from India in FY 2024-25?
The total Export Companies in India, in aggregate (merchandise and services, both), for the financial year 2024-25 (ending: March 2025) exceeded $820 billion.
