The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the deadline to July 31, 2025, for submitting applications for export authorisation of pharma-grade sugar under the restricted quota scheme. This revision follows Trade Notice No. 06/2025-26 issued on June 18, 2025.

Exporters must apply online via DGFT’s e-Commerce portal under the “Non-SCOMET Restricted Items” category. Previously, applications were to be submitted between June 20 and July 20, 2025.

The initiative earmarks a one-time export quota of 25,000 metric tonnes (MT) for the ongoing sugar season, which ends on September 30, 2025. The DGFT clarified that only genuine pharmaceutical exporters are eligible, marking a shift towards a more regulated, sector-specific export regime.

Applications must be submitted digitally—no physical copies, emails, or postal submissions will be entertained. Each Importer Exporter Code (IEC) holder is allowed to submit only one application to ensure fair allocation. The quota will be distributed on a pro-rata basis according to the applicant’s manufacturing capacity.

Eligibility criteria include holding a valid drug manufacturing licence from the State Licensing Authority (SLA), registration with the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), and a valid Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC).

Additionally, applicants must submit test reports and certifications from NABL-accredited labs confirming that the sugar meets pharma-grade quality standards.

Approved authorisations will be valid for 12 months, regardless of the financial year. However, incomplete or late applications, or those sent outside the portal, will be rejected. The Centre also reserves the right to revise conditions based on application trends.

“This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the pharmaceutical sector and reinforcing India’s presence in high-quality global supply chains,” said an industry expert.