Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion
Ministry of Commerce scheme providing financial assistance to export promotion councils and exporters to access international markets.
₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown
📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach
₹300 Crore annual outlay under Department of Commerce Export Promotion Budget
Official Budget Document ↗Thousands of Indian MSME exporters assisted in global trade fairs across 80+ countries
As of: 2026-01-31PIB / Official Citation ↗Verified Eligibility Criteria
Entities holding a valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) and active membership of an approved Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board.
Required Documents Checklist
Verify readiness before applying for Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion. Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.
Mandatory Documents(3)
Check off as readyKeep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.
Worried About Application Rejection for Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion?
Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.
- ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
- ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
- ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
- ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
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Application Effort & Process Friction
Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.
Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.
How to Apply
- 1
Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), commodity boards, or individual exporters submit export promotion project proposals.
- 2
Submit proposals online through the designated MAI portal on https://commerce.gov.in.
- 3
Empowered Committee chaired by Commerce Secretary scrutinizes project feasibility and export potential.
- 4
Sanction letter issued with approved cost benchmarks.
- 5
Reimbursement claims submitted with CA certificates, boarding passes, and stall invoices post-event.
✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist
⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These
Non-members of approved Export Promotion Councils, claiming multiple grants for the same overseas event, or non-possession of valid IEC code.
Official Government Application Portal
You will be redirected to the secure official portal: commerce.gov.in
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Field-tested recommendations from administrative grievance circulars to avoid rejections and processing stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)
Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.
Are regulatory compliance and FDA registrations covered under MAI?
Yes, reimbursement up to 50% of the cost (subject to a ceiling of ₹50 Lakh per company per annum) is available for statutory product registrations abroad.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can an individual exporter receive airfare assistance?
Yes, regular members of EPCs with FOB export turnover up to ₹50 Crore can receive airfare reimbursement up to ₹1.25 Lakh per event (economy class).
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Who approves project funding under MAI?
Projects are approved by an Empowered Committee headed by the Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Who is eligible to apply for Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion?
Eligible applicants must satisfy official government criteria for Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion. Conditions: Entities holding a valid Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) and active membership of an approved Export Promotion Council or Commodity Board..
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can I track my Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion application status?
Application status for Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion can typically be tracked through the official portal at commerce.gov.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
What should I do if my Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion payment is delayed or rejected?
First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.
Is there an income tax implication for receiving Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme for Export Promotion benefits?
Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.
Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings
Non-members of approved Export Promotion Councils, claiming multiple grants for the same overseas event, or non-possession of valid IEC code.
Editorial Verification & Change Log
| Date | Field | Description / Update | Source Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-18 | scheme_type | cs | Official Source ↗ |
| 2026-09-21 | initial_verification | Baseline verification of MAI guidelines, airfare assistance limits (up to ₹1.25 Lakh), and overseas regulatory certification reimbursement. | Official Source ↗ |
⚖Compare with Similar Schemes
Side-by-side eligibility, benefit, and effort comparison:
Application Window & Deadlines
Annual project calendar submission by EPCs and quarterly individual claims
🛟Grievance & RTI Channels
Scheme Intelligence
How is this calculated? ↗Verified 7d ago from .gov.in source
Requires documentation or office visit
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📅Scheme Milestone Timeline
Baseline verification of MAI guidelines, airfare assistance limits (up to ₹1.25 ...
Official Source ↗Schemes You Can Stack With This
Complementary programs with non-conflicting eligibility that you can claim concurrently:
Official Helpline & Nodal Offices
Trade Promotion Division, Department of Commerce
Vanijya Bhawan, 16 Akbar Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110011
Helpline: 011-23062525
Jurisdiction: National (All-India)Notice a Discrepancy?
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Verification Metadata
Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-10-12 against official government documentation.
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