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DGFT introduces mandatory online submissions & digital payments for enforcement & adjudication proceedings
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
February 22 , 2025
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In a significant move to enhance the ease of doing business and facilitate a completely paperless trade environment, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has introduced mandatory online submissions and digital payments for enforcement and adjudication proceedings under The Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (FTD&R Act).
This initiative is set to benefit pharmaceutical exporters and the Pharma Export Promotion Council by ensuring faster, transparent, and more efficient regulatory processes. The pharmaceutical industry, a key sector contributing to India’s exports, stands to gain from these reforms that aim to eliminate bureaucratic delays and enhance compliance mechanisms.
All responses to Show Cause Notices and other proceedings under the FTD&R Act, including adjudication, appeals, and reviews, must now be submitted exclusively through the DGFT portal.
Paper-based submissions will no longer be accepted, streamlining the process and reducing administrative overhead. Penalties levied under the FTDR Act must be paid online through the corresponding Enforcement-cum-Adjudication (ECA), Appeal, or Review file.
The use of the miscellaneous payments feature is discouraged to ensure accurate accounting and prevent future complications. DGFT has provided detailed ECA-related help manuals on its official website, guiding users through digital submissions.
Exporters and industry stakeholders can access these resources under the ‘Learn’ section for seamless compliance.
With India being a global leader in pharmaceutical exports, this move will enhance efficiency and reduce turnaround time for compliance-related processes. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of enhancing India’s export competitiveness by fostering a digital-first regulatory ecosystem.
According to industry experts, the elimination of manual paperwork will not only increase ease of business but also enhance transparency, minimize errors, and ensure better tracking of compliance-related activities.
The new measures reaffirm the government’s commitment to digital governance and trade facilitation. The initiative aligns with the broader objective of improving India’s ranking in ease of doing business and promoting a robust digital ecosystem for exporters.
The mandatory digitization of enforcement and adjudication processes under the FTDR Act marks a significant step towards a paperless trade environment. Pharma exporters and industry stakeholders are encouraged to adapt to these digital processes to ensure smooth business operations.
“For further details, exporters can visit the DGFT portal or reach out to the concerned authorities for guidance,” informed Arjun Upadhya, Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade.
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