No More Office Visits: Piyush Goyal Sets March 2027 Deadline for DGFT Digitisation
Union Minister Piyush Goyal aims to end physical visits to DGFT offices by April 2027 through complete digitisation of services.
In a major push toward enhancing the ease of doing business in India, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced a definitive timeline for the complete DGFT services digitisation. The Minister has set March 31, 2027, as the deadline to transition all services provided by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to a fully digital format, ensuring that from April 1, 2027, stakeholders will no longer need to make physical visits to government offices.
A New Era of Faceless Governance
The announcement was made during the virtual inauguration of Vanijya Bhawan and Udyog Bhawan in Jaipur. This move marks a significant milestone as Rajasthan becomes the first state to house the offices of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and its associated organisations under a single roof.
Minister Goyal emphasized that the combination of co-located offices, comprehensive digitisation, and the introduction of faceless assessments is designed to boost transparency, accountability, and overall public confidence. He urged that this integrated model be replicated across all state capitals to create one-stop hubs for promoting international trade, investments, exports, and industrial development, aligning with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
What Exactly is Being Digitised?
The Minister's directive is comprehensive, leaving no stone unturned in the quest for a paperless environment. The digitisation drive will cover:
- Licences and Permits: All applications for various trade licences and permits will be moved entirely online.
- SCOMET Approvals: Applications for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies (SCOMET) will be fully digital.
- Historical Records: A massive effort will be undertaken to digitise historical data and records currently maintained by Regional Authorities (RAs) of the DGFT nationwide.
Solving the Verification Hurdle
Recognising that some processes still require the verification of original documents, Minister Goyal proposed a streamlined solution to prevent long queues and bureaucratic delays. He suggested the installation of computers at office entrances and the creation of dedicated counters specifically for the verification and immediate uploading of documents.
Furthermore, the Minister advocated for a shift toward a trust-based approach, encouraging a greater reliance on self-certification to eliminate unnecessary procedural hurdles for citizens and businesses.
Breaking Silos for Better Service
Beyond the technical shift, Piyush Goyal called for a cultural change within the administration. He urged government departments to break "organisational silos" and work collectively to simplify forms, formats, and overall processes.
The initiative should go beyond bringing government offices under one roof and focus on improving service delivery, simplifying procedures and enhancing ease of doing business.
To ensure the success of this transition, the Minister has called for active participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including exporters, importers, investors, state representatives, and various government departments. He noted that seamless coordination between the Department of Commerce and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) would be critical in achieving these goals.