Document title: Survey on Computer Software and IT Enabled Services Exports: 2025‑26

Issuing authority: Reserve Bank of India

Reference number: Press Release 2026-2027/1147

Date: 18 September 2026

Macroeconomic Outlook

The Reserve Bank of India’s annual survey for FY 2025‑26 indicates that India’s software services exports, excluding sales through overseas commercial presence, increased by 8.2% year‑on‑year to US$221.4 billion. The survey contacted 7,569 software export companies; 2,363 respondents, representing roughly 89% of the estimated total export volume, provided the data. When foreign affiliates are included, total software export services rose 9.5% to US$239.3 billion.

External Sector and Currency

The United States remained the dominant destination, accounting for 54.1% of export value (US$119.7 billion), followed by Europe at 31.8% (US$70.3 billion). Within Europe, the United Kingdom contributed 15.4% of total exports (US$34.0 billion). Other regions included Canada (1.3%), Asia (6.3%), Australia & New Zealand (2.5%), and other countries (4.0%). The principal invoicing currency was the US dollar, representing 72.6% of invoiced value (US$160.7 billion), with the euro (9.6%), Indian rupee (6.3%), pound sterling (6.0%), Australian dollar (2.0%) and other currencies (3.5%) completing the mix.

Export Composition and Delivery Modes

Computer services comprised 69.3% of total software services exports (US$153.4 billion), of which IT services alone contributed US$147.0 billion (66.4%). BPO services, classified under IT‑enabled services, accounted for US$56.0 billion (30.7%). Engineering services added US$12.0 billion (5.4%). Private limited companies were the primary exporters, delivering US$134.6 billion (60.8% share) and growing 9.3% year‑on‑year, while public limited companies contributed US$81.7 billion (36.9%).

Off‑site delivery dominated the export mix, representing 91.7% of total services (US$203.0 billion), whereas on‑site services made up only 9.3% (US$19.0 billion). Mode‑wise, cross‑border supply (Mode 1) accounted for 84.7% of export value (US$202.7 billion), commercial presence (Mode 3) 7.5% (US$17.9 billion), and presence of natural persons (Mode 4) 7.7% (US$18.4 billion).

Foreign Affiliate Business

Software business by foreign affiliates of Indian companies generated US$17.9 billion locally (Mode 3), US$3.7 billion to India, and US$4.8 billion to other countries. The United States captured 42.2% of affiliate business (US$7.8 billion locally), followed by the United Kingdom (9.0%) and Germany (8.2%).

Overall, the RBI’s survey underscores robust growth in India’s software export sector, a strong reliance on the United States and Europe as markets, and a continued preference for off‑site delivery and US‑dollar invoicing.