Paragraphs 1 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Paragraphs 1.31 and 1.32 of the Policy provide for an inter-ministerial committee on MSME trade grievances and for a Citizen's Charter with time schedules for DGFT services. The time schedules themselves are in paragraph 11.10 of the Handbook, a table of working days for sixteen kinds of application, with paragraphs 11.07 to 11.09 on facilitation centres, Standing Grievance Committees and counter assistance.
This article is based on the chapter-wise text of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 published on the DGFT website, as consulted on 2 October 2026; the copy carries no "updated up to" date. The procedure is taken from Chapter 11 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 as published on the DGFT website (file of April 2023, as first issued). Later Public Notices and Trade Notices should be checked before you act; what changed between April 2023 and later notices is not shown in that file. If you are planning an application and want the right filing in hand, a legal consultation can help.
Paragraph 1.31 says an inter-ministerial committee is to be set up to examine MSME trade grievances with policy ramifications. Paragraph 1.32 says the DGFT has a Citizen's Charter and sends the reader to Chapter 11 of the Handbook. Paragraph 11.10 of the Handbook lists time limits from 1 to 90 working days, counted from the date of submission of a complete application. Undue delay can be brought to the head of the regional office in a written representation.
What the Policy says
Paragraph 1.31: inter-ministerial committee for MSME trade grievances
An inter-ministerial committee is "to be set up" to examine MSME trade-related grievances that have policy ramifications. The paragraph says this will expedite decision-making with a "whole of government approach". It prints no composition, no time limit and no way of approaching the committee.
Paragraph 1.32: Citizen's Charter
The DGFT has in place a Citizen's Charter giving time schedules for providing various services to clients. The timeline for disposal of an application is given in Chapter 11 of the Handbook. The Policy paragraph points there and says no more. The Policy's power is policy under section 5 of the Act; see section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and the Handbook is notified under section 6 of the Act.
What the Handbook requires
Paragraph 11.07: Export Facilitation
To resolve exporters' problems in a co-ordinated manner, the field offices of the DGFT act as Export Facilitation Centres and nodal agencies.
Paragraph 11.08: Standing Grievance Committee
For speedy redressal of genuine grievances of trade and industry on export and foreign trade, Grievance Committees have been constituted, chaired by the DGFT at Headquarters and by the head of the Regional Authority in regional offices. Members include representatives of FIEO, Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards, Development Authorities, Government departments and technical authorities, Customs authorities, GST authorities, DGARM, banks (public and private sector), Export Inspection Agencies and Councils, ECGC, the Industries Commissioner (State or UT), the Export Commissioner (State or UT) and the General Manager of the District Industries Centre.
Paragraph 11.09: Counter Assistance
Clause (a): while the DGFT's endeavour is to make all applications online, until the online facility is available applications continue to be received at the counter. Clause (b): for speedy disposal, "Counter Assistance" functions in all DGFT offices, with an FTDO in charge of the counter in each office; on presentation, the applicant is advised whether the application is complete or has a deficiency to rectify. Clause (c): counter assistance may also be used for amendments of a minor nature and enquiries, received at regional offices against a proper receipt, and the authorisation, licence, list or reply is returned after the necessary amendment or reply, as far as possible on the same day, across the counter.
Paragraph 11.10: time-bound disposal of applications
The Regional Authority "shall dispose of applications expeditiously". The time schedule below shall "normally" be followed, provided the application is complete in all respects and accompanied by the prescribed documents. The table in the file has lost its serial numbers; the sixteen categories and limits are read in the order printed.
| Category of application | Time limit (working days) |
|---|---|
| IEC Number | 2 |
| Advance Authorisation where input-output norms are notified or under paragraph 4.07 of the Handbook; Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement; DFIA | 3 |
| Issuance of Advance Authorisation through automatic route | 1 |
| Fixation of input-output norms for SAAS covered under paragraph 4.04A of the Policy | 90 |
| Issuance of EPCG authorisations | 3 |
| Issuance of EPCG authorisation through automatic route | 1 |
| All authorisations under the Gem and Jewellery scheme | 3 |
| Revalidation of Advance Authorisation and extension of export obligation period of AA or EPCG authorisations by the RA | 1 |
| Acceptance of BG or LUT | 3 |
| Redemption or EODC of Advance Authorisation or DFIA | 15 |
| Redemption of EPCG authorisations and release of BG or LUT | 30 |
| Issuance or renewal of status certificate | 3 |
| Amendment of any category of authorisation | 3 |
| Miscellaneous | 10 |
| Refund of DBK or TED under deemed export | 30 |
| Fixation of Brand Rate for duty drawback | 30 |
In all these cases the days are counted "from the date of submission of complete application". Cases of undue delay may be brought to the notice of the head of the regional office by a written representation, which "shall be promptly enquired into and responded to".
How to read the table
- The limits are targets that "normally" apply to a complete application with the prescribed documents. The paragraph prints no deemed approval or penalty for missing a limit.
- A query raised by the department about an incomplete file is not addressed in the paragraph; the count runs from a complete application.
- The paragraph says "working days" without defining them.
- Paragraph 11.10 is from the file of April 2023, as first issued. For the status certificate row (3 working days), the procedure is in our article on Handbook paragraphs 1.08 to 1.12.
A practical example
Silverleaf Agro Exports, an invented company, files a complete application for an Importer Exporter Code on a Monday. Paragraph 11.10 gives 2 working days for an IEC Number. If nothing has happened after that period, the firm may write to the head of its regional office under the last sentence of the paragraph, attaching the date of the complete application. If the same firm applies for revalidation of an Advance Authorisation, the table gives 1 working day for revalidation by the Regional Authority. If it walks in with an application at the counter, paragraph 11.09(b) says it will be advised then whether the application is complete.
Need help with a delayed application?
When a DGFT application is stuck, the first question is whether it was complete when submitted, because the time limits run only from a complete application. If you want the file and the dates reviewed, you can book a legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- An inter-ministerial committee on MSME trade grievances is "to be set up" (paragraph 1.31).
- The Citizen's Charter timelines are in Chapter 11 of the Handbook (paragraph 1.32).
- Paragraph 11.10 sets limits from 1 to 90 working days, counted from a complete application.
- Undue delay can be raised with the head of the regional office in writing.
- Standing Grievance Committees and counter assistance exist under paragraphs 11.08 and 11.09.
Read next
- Handbook paragraphs 1.08 to 1.12: status certificate application, validity and appeal
- Paragraphs 1.12 to 1.20: DGFT online facilities, e-IEC, e-RCMC and e-CoO
- What is DGFT? Meaning, example and uses
- FIEO registration for exporters
Disclaimer: Based on the chapter-wise text of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 published on the DGFT website, and on the later Notifications named in this article, as consulted on 2 October 2026. The copies carry no "updated up to" date. Notifications, Public Notices, Trade Notices, the ITC(HS) schedules, Appendices and forms change often; the current text on the DGFT website should be checked before acting. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.