Engineering, textile exporters seek restoration of RoDTEP

Textile and engineering exporters fear that exports will be hit with reduction of Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme rates.

Cotton textile exports in 2024-2025 stood at $ 11.03 billion (almost ₹96,220 crore) and it accounts for 30% of India’s textile and clothing exports. Close to 58% of the exports of cotton textiles (raw cotton, cotton yarn and cotton fabrics) have been affected by the sudden reduction in RoDTEP rates, said the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council.

The RoDTEP committee is reviewing the rates and the unexpected reduction of rates has led to uncertainties, said Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council.

There is a rush to ship goods in March as the financial year will conclude and exporters will be affected because the RoDTEP scheme is only repayment of the taxes and duties paid and the exporters would have calculated the costs based on the earlier RoDTEP rates, say the exporters.

In the case of engineering exports, January 2026 saw a double digit growth compared with January 2025. The Market Access Scheme is estimated to be a big enabler of Indian exports as Indian exporters are eager to participate in global exhibitions. The earlier RoDTEP rates should be restored to keep the momentum, said the EEPC India.