Paragraphs 10 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.
Paragraph 10.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 says which authority issues the export authorisation for each group of SCOMET categories, and paragraph 10.09 says that DGFT headquarters alone issues and amends the authorisations it grants. The Handbook of Procedures supplies the application, the end-user certificate, the working of the Inter Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) and the rules on site visits.
Authorisations for Categories 1 to 5 and 8 follow the procedure in Chapter 10 of the Handbook; Category 0 and Note 2 items need an authorisation from the Department of Atomic Energy, and Category 6 (with exceptions) one from the Department of Defence Production (paragraph 10.04). DGFT authorisations are issued centrally by DGFT headquarters, which alone amends or revalidates them (paragraph 10.09). The application is made online with an end-user certificate, and the IMWG considers it, normally meeting once every month (Handbook 10.04, 10.06).
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 10 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 as published on the DGFT website (file of July 2026), consulted on 2 October 2026. Later Notifications, Public Notices and Trade Notices should be checked before acting. The Policy is made under section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (section 5 of the FTDR Act); Chapter 10 rests on Chapter IVA of that Act, explained in our article on sections 14A and 14B. This article names the forms as the paragraphs do and does not describe the SCOMET list. For help with an application, see our restricted items import-export licence service.
Paragraph 10.04: export of SCOMET items
The paragraph has three parts.
- The procedure for grant of an export authorisation "in respect of Categories 1 to 5 and 8" is specified under Chapter 10 of the Handbook. Category 7 is not named in this paragraph, though the table in paragraph 10.03 shows DGFT as its licensing authority.
- Export of SCOMET items under Category 0 and Note 2 of the Commodity Identification Note "will be permitted against an authorization issued by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)", in line with the guidelines for nuclear transfers and the notification of prescribed substances, equipment and technology issued under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Rules of 1984.
- Export of SCOMET items under Category 6, except those covered under Note 2 and 3 of the Commodity Identification Note and the sub-categories the paragraph excludes "for non-military end use", "will be permitted against an authorization to be issued by Department of Defence Production (DDP)/ Ministry of Defence" under its guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure.
The licensing allocation is also set out in our article on paragraphs 10.00 to 10.03.
Paragraph 10.09: issue, amendment and revalidation
Export authorisation for SCOMET items "will be issued centrally by the DGFT (HQrs)". Amendments, including revalidation, are also made by DGFT (HQrs) only. The procedure for revalidation is in paragraph 10.20 of the Handbook. A holder therefore does not apply to a Regional Authority for a SCOMET amendment; the paragraph names headquarters.
Procedure under the Handbook
Paragraph 10.04: application and documentation
| Sub-paragraph | What it says |
|---|---|
| (a) | An application for an export authorisation for SCOMET items, including software and technologies, may be made in the prescribed proforma, ANF 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E or 10F, as applicable, to DGFT (Hqrs), with the documents prescribed in the relevant Appendices |
| (b) | Applications must be filed online under the icon "Services, Export Management System, SCOMET" on the DGFT website |
| (c) | The documents are uploaded as PDF files; manual submission is dispensed with. However, the original End User Certificate(s) in the applicable format, or a Legal Undertaking for temporary exports, are submitted in hard copy with a covering letter showing the file number of the application, to the SCOMET Cell of DGFT (HQ), besides electronic submission |
| (d) | The application is accompanied by an end-user certificate (EUC) certifying that the item will be used only for the stated purpose and not changed, modified or replicated without the consent of the Government of India; that neither the items nor replicas or derivatives will be re-transferred without that consent; and that the end user will facilitate verifications required by the Government of India |
| (e) | The EUC shows the name of the item, the name of the importer and all entities in the supply chain, the specific end use, and details of the Purchase Order or contract |
| (f) | The Government may require additional formal assurances from the recipient State, including on end use and non-transfer |
Additional end-use conditions may be put in authorisations for export of items, including software and technology, "based on an assessment of proliferation concerns and other factors". The forms are named only; this article does not describe their fields.
Paragraph 10.06: the Inter Ministerial Working Group
An IMWG in DGFT (Hqrs.), with representatives of other Ministries, Departments or Organisations of the Government of India "as considered appropriate", considers applications for SCOMET export. The paragraph has four parts.
- I. General criteria. The IMWG looks at the credentials of the end user, the credibility of the end-use declaration, the integrity of the chain of transmission, and the potential of the item or technology, including the timing of export, to contribute to end uses not in conformity with India's national security, foreign policy goals, global non-proliferation goals or its treaty obligations. It also looks at (b) the assessed risk of items reaching terrorists or non-State actors, (c) the recipient State's export control measures, (d) the capabilities and objectives of the recipient State's weapons and delivery programmes, (e) the assessment of end uses, and (f) relevant bilateral or multilateral agreements and arrangements, including the control lists of the regimes the paragraph names.
- II. Timeline. IMWG members "will endeavour to furnish their written comments/views/no objection to DGFT within 30 days" of forwarding of the online application. If none is received in that period, the case goes before the IMWG for a decision.
- III. Meetings. The IMWG "shall normally meet once every month". Where a case was deferred and all comments later arrive with no divergence, authorisation may be issued with the approval of the Chairman IMWG or an officer nominated by him (not below the rank of Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade or Under Secretary), and the case is brought to the next meeting for approval on an ex-post facto basis.
- IV. Deadlock. Where the IMWG cannot decide, the case goes to the Director General of Foreign Trade.
After approval by the IMWG or its Chairman, the export authorisation is issued by the SCOMET Cell in DGFT (Hqrs).
Paragraph 10.08: site visits and access to records
An application for an arrangement or understanding involving a site visit, on-site verification or access to records or documentation by a foreign government or a foreign third party, directly or through an Indian party, is made to DGFT (Hqrs.) in proforma ANF 10E, with the relevant documents including Appendix 10L. The IMWG considers it on the guidelines in Appendix 10A, and permission is subject to the conditions in that Appendix. Those Appendices are named here only.
An example
Prism Optics Private Limited, an invented company, has an order from a buyer abroad for an item that falls in a category licensed by DGFT. It files online through the SCOMET icon with the end-user certificate and Appendix documents, and posts the original certificate with a covering letter showing the file number. IMWG members have 30 days to comment, the IMWG considers the case, and the SCOMET Cell issues the authorisation if approved. A later amendment goes to DGFT headquarters, not to a Regional Authority.
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Key takeaways
- Paragraph 10.04: DGFT procedure for Categories 1 to 5 and 8; DAE for Category 0 and Note 2; DDP for Category 6 within the stated exceptions.
- Paragraph 10.09: authorisations issued and amended centrally by DGFT headquarters; revalidation under Handbook 10.20.
- Handbook 10.04: online filing, PDF documents, original EUC or Legal Undertaking in hard copy.
- Handbook 10.06: IMWG, 30 days for member comments, normally monthly meetings, SCOMET Cell issues.
- Handbook 10.08: site visits and access to records need an application in ANF 10E.
Read next
- Paragraph 10.05 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023: catch-all controls on non-SCOMET items
- Paragraph 10.08 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023: types and validity of SCOMET authorisations
- Paragraphs 10.00 to 10.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023: SCOMET list categories and licensing jurisdiction
- SCOMET export controls and the catch-all provision
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.