Indian Trade Service

**Indian Trade Service**
Service overview
Abbreviation	I.T.S.
Formed	1965 (CTS), 1985(ITS)
Country	India
Training ground	Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi Attachments: Major ministries, ports, SEZs, industrial attachment, regional offices, NACEN, Centre for WTO studies Contents Recruitment ; Role of Indian Trade Service ; Policy formulation ; Trade Policy Implementation ; Export promotion thorough various initiatives ; International trade and diplomacy ; Miscellaneous and allied responsibilities ; Career progression and other roles of ITS officers ; References ; External links ;
Controlling authority	Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Legal personality	Governmental, Civil Service
Preceding service	Central Trade Service
Cadre size	180

Last updated September 06, 2024

The Indian Trade Service (ITdS) is a civil service ^[1] under Group A of the Central Civil Services of the executive branch of the Government of India. It was created as a specialized cadre to handle India's international trade and commerce on the basis of the recommendations of the Mathur Committee (Study Team on the Import and Export Trade Control Organization headed by Sri H.C. Mathur, Member of Parliament) in 1965. At present, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT),^[3] under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the cadre controlling authority of the ITS. DGFT has 38 regional offices^[4] across India, and plays a significant role in promoting India's international trade with its policy formulation and implementation.

The Department of Commerce is headed by a Secretary^[5] who is assisted by a Special Secretary & Financial Adviser, three Additional Secretaries, thirteen Joint Secretaries and Joint Secretary level officers and a number of other senior officers. Keeping in view the large increase in workload in matters related to World Trade Organization (WTO), Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), free trade agreements (FTAs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), joint study groups (JSGs) etc., two posts each of Joint Secretaries and Directors were created in the department during 2008–09.

The department is functionally organized into the following nine Divisions:^[6]

International Trade Policy Division
Foreign Trade Territorial Division
Export Products Division
Export Industries Division
Export Services Division
Economic Division
Administration & General Service Division
Finance Division
Supply Division

Recruitment

The recruitment to Indian Trade Service is through Civil Services examinations conducted by UPSC.^[7]^[8] In addition, departmental candidates are also promoted as ITS through career progression.

Role of Indian Trade Service

The main role of ITS officers can be divided into five parts:

Policy formulation in the area of International trade
Trade Policy implementation
Export promotion through various initiatives
International trade negotiations and commercial diplomacy
Miscellaneous and allied responsibilities

Policy formulation

ITS officers contribute to the making of International Trade Policy formulation for India. India's foreign trade policy (FTP) is a five-year policy document, revised midway after two and half years.^[9] The current foreign trade policy in effect is the FTP 2015–20.^[10] The foreign trade policy of India is a single document that strives to provide a stable and sustainable policy environment for foreign trade in both merchandise and services. It aims to help various sectors of Indian economy to gain global competitiveness.^[11]

Indian Trade Service officers are involved in formulation and drafting of the policy. They also provide key inputs from the field offices regarding international trade matters which is subsequently taken up for review while making of the policy.

Apart from making the trade policy for the country, ITS officers also involve themselves in coordinating with various other ministries for taking stands on trade matters at international forums such as World Trade Organisation. For this purpose, there is a WTO cell at the Directorate General of foreign Trade. In addition, coordination for board of trade for inter state and central government consultation in the area of international trade policy formulation is also managed by ITS officers.^[12]

There has been a study by Frost and Sullivan recently where it has been recommended that role of ITS officers may be increased further in the area of policy formulation in coming future.^[13]

Trade Policy Implementation

Foreign Trade Policy of India is implemented in the country through 38 field offices of DGFT, commonly known as Regional Authorities (RAs).^[14] These field offices are manned and headed by ITS officers who facilitate international trade from India. In addition many Special Economic Zones are also headed by ITS officers. Under current Foreign Trade Policy of India, the gamut of implementation includes:

Implementation of export from India schemes - for both merchandise and services exports
Implementation of Duty nullification schemes for export products
Implementation of Export promotion capital goods scheme
Refund schemes for various deemed exports
Heading committee on quality complaints and trade disputes - to act as arbiter and enforcer of rules in international commercial disputes
Acting as quasi-judicial authority in cases pertaining to Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act 1992.
Handling miscellaneous matters related to international trade such as issuing licenses for trading in sensitive/nuclear/defense related items

Export promotion thorough various initiatives

Indian trade service officers are involved in developing entrepreneurs in the area of international trade through various training and development initiatives. The initiatives are popularly known as 'Niryat Bandhu' initiatives which translates into 'Friends of exporters'. It is a part of push by Government of India under various schemes such as 'Skill India' and 'Make in India'. Under Niryat Bandhu scheme, ITS officers undertake various development activities such as:

Development of training modules - text, videos and presentations
Live training and interactions with budding entrepreneurs in the area of international trade
One to One counselling with new entrepreneurs and officers from Indian Trade Service
Active hand-holding of entrepreneurs from launch of the project until the first export consignment
Association with various export promotion bodies and state agencies for training and development^[15]
Documenting lessons learnt for future use of new entrepreneurs

In addition, officers in the field level conduct policy level studies for providing inputs for future policy making in the area for export promotion.

International trade and diplomacy

Conducting trade policy negotiations for India at the multilateral forum of the World Trade Organization. ITS officers, as part of various delegations from department of commerce, and also as part of various negotiation teams, have been representing India at various WTO forums.
ITS officers are playing a key role in trade negotiations with various countries. They are important part of the negotiation team representing India at various Free Trade Agreements and Preferential Trade Agreements.
ITS officers man positions at select international bodies such as UNESCAP, WTO etc. where they either work for the international organizations or represent the country at such forums.

Miscellaneous and allied responsibilities

ITS officers are currently posted in Directorate General of Anti-Dumping as investigating officers for anti-dumping cases. They recommend anti-dumping duties under WTO rules after completing investigations.^[16]
On encadered positions in various ministries such as ministry of external affairs and ministry of agriculture.
As development commissioners at various Special Economic Zones of India.^[17]
As directors of foreign trade at ministry of commerce.^[18]
ITS officers in field act as conduit between state government initiatives and central government schemes by acting as local advisors in policy matters.

Career progression and other roles of ITS officers

Career progression chart for ITS officers
Grade	Position/Role	Years of service
Addl Director General of Foreign Trade (JS level)	Policy makers in the area of international trade. Heads of Zones. Development commissioners at various special economic zones etc.	19th year onwards
Jt. Director General of Foreign Trade - Director scale	Providing inputs for policy making at department of commerce and DGFT. Heading various field offices of DGFT. Handling responsibilities at various multilateral and international organizations. Part of key negotiation teams at international forums in the matter of trade.	14 year onwards
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade	Field postings at DGFT field offices, implementing foreign trade policy of India, Export promotion activities, providing policy inputs for policy making in the area of international trade, Interacting with state governments, export promotion bodies, running training programs. At department of commerce, acting as key players in negotiation teams, as investigating officer for anti-dumping investigations and at various divisions of department of commerce. Part of policy making if posted at DGFT headquarters.	9th year to 14th year
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade	Field postings at DGFT field offices, implementing foreign trade policy of India, Export promotion activities, providing policy inputs for policy making in the area of international trade, Interacting with state governments, export promotion bodies, running training programs. At department of commerce, acting as part of negotiation team at international level, as investigating officer for anti-dumping investigations and at various divisions of department of commerce	4th year to 9th year
Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade	Probation, training and posting at field offices (RAs) of DGFT, Department of commerce	Initial

Related Research Articles

Dumping, in economics, is a form of predatory pricing, especially in the context of international trade. It occurs when manufacturers export a product to another country at a price below the normal price with an injuring effect. The objective of dumping is to increase market share in a foreign market by driving out competition and thereby create a monopoly situation where the exporter will be able to unilaterally dictate price and quality of the product. Trade treaties might include mechanisms to alleviate problems related to dumping, such as countervailing duty penalties and anti-dumping statutes.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is a public business school headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, India. It has been proposed to be declared as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. Established in 1963, it functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India. It also serves as a training institute for the probationary officers of the Indian Trade Service. Its headquarters are in New Delhi and it has additional campuses in Kolkata and Kakinada.

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) is a Trust established by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. IBEF's primary objective is to promote and create international awareness of the Made in India label in markets overseas and to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge of Indian products and services. Towards this objective, IBEF works closely with stakeholders across government and industry.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, or simply the Home Ministry, is a ministry of the Government of India. It is mainly responsible for the maintenance of internal security and domestic policy. It is headed by Minister of Home Affairs.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry administers two departments, the Department of Commerce and the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade. The head of the Ministry is a Minister of Cabinet rank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Commerce (Myanmar)</span>

The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) is the Burmese government agency plays a vital role in the transformation process of the implementation of a market-oriented economic system. Its headquarters is located at Building 3 and 52, Nay Pyi Taw, in Myanmar.

The Ministry of Commerce ; abbreviated as MoCom), is a Cabinet-level ministry of the Government of Pakistan concerned with economic growth and commerce development and promotion in Pakistan. The administrative head of the ministry is the Commerce Secretary of Pakistan, presently Muhammad Sualeh Ahmad Faruqi. The political head, Minister of Commerce, is required to be the member of Parliament.

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is the ministry in the Government of India. It is the apex executive body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium enterprises in India. The Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is Jitan Ram Manjhi.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the agency of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India responsible for administering laws regarding foreign trade.

Iran officially submitted an application to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 19 July 1996. From July 1996 to May 2001, Iran’s application had not been considered, mainly as a result of US objections and the US veto power in the WTO Council. From May 2001 Iran’s application for WTO membership has been brought up 22 times. At the 22nd time, on 26 May 2005, Iran’s application for WTO membership was approved unanimously by the organization’s members. Thus the process of Iran’s membership in the WTO started. Once Iran’s application was accepted and examined by WTO General Council, Iran became WTO observer member and started the process of full membership in the organization. In November 2009 Iran submitted the Foreign Trade Regime Memorandum as the process of accession entered a new phase.

The Ministry of Commerce of Iran was the main organ of the Government in charge of the regulation and implementation of policies applicable to domestic and foreign trade. This includes:

Foreign trade in India includes all imports and exports to and from India. At the level of the Central Government, trade is administered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Foreign trade accounted for 48.8% of India's GDP in 2018.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, abbreviated MITI, is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for international trade, industry, investment, productivity, small and medium enterprise, development finance institution, halal industry, automotive, steel, strategic trade. The ministry has its headquarters located at Menara MITI on Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah in Kuala Lumpur and the building is also a component of Naza TTDI’s 75.5-acre KL Metropolis, a mixed development that is envisioned to be the International Trade and Exhibition District for Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the three ministries that has not moved to Putrajaya.

The Ministry of Trade is a ministry of the Government of Indonesia that directs the formulation of policies related to the development of trade in Indonesia.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is the apex trade promotion organisation in India set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, and the private trade and industry segment in 1965. The organisation is responsible for representing and assisting Indian entrepreneurs and exporters in foreign markets.

The Indian Information Service (IIS) is the central civil service under Group A and Group B of the Central Civil Services of the executive branch of the Government of India.

The Commerce and Trade Group (CTG) is a branch of the Central Superior Services of Pakistan. The Commerce and Trade Group is responsible for the commercial diplomacy and economic development of Pakistan. In order to safeguard Pakistan's commercial interests and enhance market access, the CTG was created in 1973 to help Pakistan in developing Pakistan trade ties abroad and to cater the modern needs of specialized officer for trade policy and implementation.

The Indian Revenue Service , often abbreviated to IRS or IRS , now called IRS(C&IT) is a part of central civil service of the Government of India. It functions under the Department of Revenue of the Ministry of Finance and is under the administrative direction of the Revenue Secretary and the ministerial command of the Minister of Finance. The IRS is primarily responsible for collecting and administering indirect taxes accruing to the Government of India. It is one of the largest civil service amongst the organised civil services in the Indian government and serves the nation through discharging sovereign functions of collection of revenue for development, security and governance.

The Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) is a government initiative implemented by the Government of India with the objective of encouraging exports. It was launched on April 1, 2015, as a part of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) to boost India's exports of goods and services.

References

1 2 "Complete Service Profile of Indian Trade Service" (PDF).
↑ "Indian Institute of Foreign Trade". Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
↑ "Directorate General of Foreign Trade".
↑ "List of Regional offices of DGFT". www.dgft.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018.
↑ "Department of commerce hierarchy". commerce.gov.in.
↑ "Divisions in department of commerce". commerce.gov.in.
↑ "service profile" (PDF).
↑ Civil services examination of India
↑ "Five yearly foreign Trade Policies of India". www.dgft.gov.in. Archived from the original on 30 May 2018.
↑ "Foreign Trade Policy document for India 2015-2020" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2018.
↑ "Commerce minister's speech at release of FTP 2015-20" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2017.
↑ "Work allocation at DGFT - sections" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2017.
↑ "Frost and Sullivan study about DGFT - The Hindu newspaper".
↑ "RAs of DGFT". Archived from the original on 27 May 2018.
↑ Prafull (5 March 2016). "All About Niryat Bandhu Scheme". IAS. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
↑ "Directorate general of Anti dumping and Allied duties".
↑ "SEZs in India". Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
↑ "Directors of Foreign Trade at ministry of commerce".

External links

http://dgft.gov.in
http://commerce.gov.in
http://www.indiantradeservice.org Archived 30 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[:0-1] 1 2 "Complete Service Profile of Indian Trade Service" (PDF).

[2] "Indian Institute of Foreign Trade". Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

[3] "Directorate General of Foreign Trade".

[4] "List of Regional offices of DGFT". www.dgft.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018.

[5] "Department of commerce hierarchy". commerce.gov.in.

[6] "Divisions in department of commerce". commerce.gov.in.

[7] "service profile" (PDF).

[8] Civil services examination of India

[9] "Five yearly foreign Trade Policies of India". www.dgft.gov.in. Archived from the original on 30 May 2018.

[10] "Foreign Trade Policy document for India 2015-2020" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2018.

[11] "Commerce minister's speech at release of FTP 2015-20" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2017.

[12] "Work allocation at DGFT - sections" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2017.

[13] "Frost and Sullivan study about DGFT - The Hindu newspaper".

[14] "RAs of DGFT". Archived from the original on 27 May 2018.

[15] Prafull (5 March 2016). "All About Niryat Bandhu Scheme". IAS. Retrieved 3 March 2017.

[16] "Directorate general of Anti dumping and Allied duties".

[17] "SEZs in India". Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

[18] "Directors of Foreign Trade at ministry of commerce".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

Service overview
Abbreviation	I.T.S.
Formed	1965 (CTS), 1985(ITS)^[1]
Country	India
Training ground	Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi ^[2] Attachments: Major ministries, ports, SEZs, industrial attachment, regional offices, NACEN, Centre for WTO studies Contents Recruitment Role of Indian Trade Service Policy formulation Trade Policy Implementation Export promotion thorough various initiatives International trade and diplomacy Miscellaneous and allied responsibilities Career progression and other roles of ITS officers References External links
Controlling authority	Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Legal personality	Governmental, Civil Service
Preceding service	Central Trade Service
Cadre size	180

v t e Public Services of India
All India Services	Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Indian Forest Service (IFS) Indian Police Service (IPS)
Central Civil Services	Central Labour Service (CLS) Central Engineering Service (CES) Central Engineering Service (Roads) (CES-R) Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS) Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) Indian Economic Service (IES) Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Indian Information Service (IIS) Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) Indian Post and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IPTAFS) Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS) Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Indian Revenue Service (Custom and Indirect Taxes) (IRS-CIT) Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) (IRS-IT) Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) Indian Radio Regulatory Service (IRRS) Indian Trade Service (ITrS)
State Civil Services	Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) Gujarat Administrative Service (GAS) Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) (1957–2019) Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) Provincial Civil Service (Jharkhand) (JPCS) Provincial Civil Service (Uttar Pradesh) (UPPCS) Provincial Civil Service (Uttarakhand) (UKPCS) Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) Tamil Nadu Civil Service (TNCS) West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS)
State Forest Services	Provincial Forest Service (Uttar Pradesh) (UPPFS) Provincial Forest Service (Uttarakhand) (UKPFS)
State Police Services	Provincial Police Service (Uttar Pradesh) (UPPPS) Provincial Police Service (Uttarakhand) (UKPPS) West Bengal Police Service (WBPS)
Non-State Civil Services	Provincial Development Service (PDS) Provincial Finance and Accounts Service (PFAS) Provincial Secretariat Service (PSS) Provincial Transport Service (PTS) Rajasthan Accounts Service (RAcS) West Bengal Judicial Service (WBJS) West Bengal Legal Service (WBLS)
Others	Civil Services of India