GS3 · External sector / statistics

DGCI&S moves merchandise trade indices to base 2022-23

Battle IAS current affairs title card: DGCI&S moves merchandise trade indices to base 2022-23 (GS3 · External sector / statistics, 20 February 2026)

What happened

  • DGCI&S revised the base of merchandise trade indices to FY 2022-23 (=100), from FY 2012-13 [PIB].
  • MoSPI released sub-committee reports for the new national accounts series on 18 and 20 February [PIB].

Background

  • Price and quantity indices of trade feed into terms-of-trade analysis.

Why it matters

  • All major series (GDP, CPI, IIP, trade) now have recent bases, so comparisons line up better.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Effects of liberalisation; trade policy

  1. As per PIB (2026-02-20): DGCI&S revised the base of merchandise trade indices to FY 2022-23 (=100), from FY 2012-13.
  2. All major series (GDP, CPI, IIP, trade) now have recent bases, so comparisons line up better.
Quotable data point

MoSPI released sub-committee reports for the new national accounts series on 18 and 20 February.

PIB: Commerce: DGCI&S trade index base revision, 20 Feb 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: DGCI&S, base years.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

New base for trade indices

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Old base

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

DGCI&S is located in

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

Official source: PIB: Commerce: DGCI&S trade index base revision, 20 Feb 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending