Key Points
- STP units exported software worth ₹7.73 lakh crore in FY 2025-26
- Karnataka leads with 391 units and ₹3.50 lakh crore in exports
- STPI automated SOFTEX filing and integrated with RBI's export monitoring system
Software Technology Park units across India recorded estimated exports worth ₹7,73,898.97 crore in FY 2025-26, a 12.5 per cent increase from ₹6,88,194.11 crore in the previous year, Union minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Wednesday (12 August).
The minister was responding to a question in the Lok Sabha on the performance of the STP scheme, which is a 100 per cent export-oriented initiative to promote software and IT-enabled services exports from India. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), provides statutory services through a single-window clearance system under this scheme.
A total of 2,125 STP units were registered across the country in FY 2025-26, up from 2,042 in the previous year. However, total investment reported by these units declined to an estimated ₹7,362.86 crore from ₹8,870.78 crore in FY 2024-25 and ₹10,709.92 crore in FY 2023-24.
State-wise exports
Karnataka continues to dominate the STP landscape with 391 registered units and exports worth an estimated ₹3,50,184.78 crore in FY 2025-26, accounting for approximately 45 per cent of total exports under the scheme. The state also recorded the highest imports at ₹8,145.30 crore.
Maharashtra followed with 367 units and exports of ₹1,62,594.11 crore, while Telangana recorded ₹1,13,101.83 crore in exports from 280 units. Tamil Nadu, with 391 units matching Karnataka’s count, exported software and services worth ₹60,591.28 crore.
Among smaller IT hubs, Haryana’s 87 units recorded exports of ₹26,885.28 crore, while Uttar Pradesh’s 107 units contributed ₹28,442.69 crore. Odisha showed significant growth with 132 units, up from 112 in FY 2023-24, exporting ₹3,492.42 crore.
Delhi recorded a decline in exports from ₹894.18 crore in FY 2023-24 to an estimated ₹652.08 crore in FY 2025-26, despite the number of registered units increasing from 17 to 22.
Approval timelines
According to the minister’s statement, STPI adheres to prescribed timelines for approvals and delivery of services under the STP scheme as outlined in its Citizen’s Charter. The government has implemented several measures to streamline approvals and improve ease of doing business for STP units.
Statutory services including SOFTEX filing, a form used for declaring software exports, its approval and final intimation to exporters have been automated. This automation ensures faster delivery of services to the IT industry, the minister said.
STPI’s online system has been integrated with the Reserve Bank of India’s Export Data Processing and Monitoring System, known as EDPMS, which is the central system for tracking export transactions. This integration enables electronic transmission of export declaration data to RBI in near real time, facilitating faster data exchange, improved accuracy and streamlined regulatory compliance for IT exporters.
By the numbers
- ₹7.73 lakh crore
- Total STP software exports in FY 2025-26
- 2,125
- STP units registered across India
- 12.5%
- Year-on-year growth in STP exports
The government has also simplified import procedures by replacing case-to-case import permissions with blanket permissions valid for the entire financial year. Additionally, the requirement for prior Domestic Tariff Area, or DTA, permissions for STPI-registered units has been replaced with a self-declaration system. DTA sales refer to sales within India rather than exports. Prior permission is now required only for advance DTA sales during a unit’s first year of operation.
Total imports by STP units rose marginally to an estimated ₹9,960.26 crore in FY 2025-26 from ₹9,482.27 crore in the previous year, indicating continued demand for hardware and equipment to support export operations.
Your Questions, Answered
What are Software Technology Park units in India?
STP units are registered entities under the Software Technology Parks scheme, a 100 per cent export-oriented initiative by the government to promote software and IT-enabled services exports from India. STPI provides single-window clearance for these units.
Which state has the highest software exports under the STP scheme?
Karnataka leads with 391 registered STP units and estimated exports of ₹3.50 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, accounting for approximately 45 per cent of total exports under the scheme.
How has STPI simplified approvals for IT exporters?
STPI has automated SOFTEX filing and approvals, integrated with RBI's EDPMS for real-time export data sharing, introduced blanket import permissions for the financial year, and replaced prior DTA permissions with self-declarations.
What is the total investment trend in STP units?
Investment in STP units has declined from ₹10,709.92 crore in FY 2023-24 to ₹8,870.78 crore in FY 2024-25 and an estimated ₹7,362.86 crore in FY 2025-26, even as exports have grown.
