DGFT Implements NPCI-Based Real-Time Bank Account Validation for IEC Issuance & Modification [Read Notification]

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued Trade Notice No. 23/2025-26 dated February 06, 2026, announcing the implementation of NPCI-based real-time bank account validation for Importer Exporter Code applications and modifications.

As per the Trade Notice, DGFT has integrated its system with the National Payments Corporation of India effective February 2026. This integration will enable real-time validation of bank account details submitted at the time of IEC issuance as well as while making changes to existing IECs.

Earlier, DGFT had enabled API-based validation of IEC-related details through integration with government and authenticated databases. With NPCI integration, bank account verification will now be more robust and automated.

Under the revised workflow, applicants must:

• Declare all active bank accounts linked with their PAN.
• Ensure that the PAN, name and bank account details exactly match bank records.

Once the application is submitted, bank account details will be sent to NPCI for validation. The system will return one of the following statuses: Success, In Progress or Failed.

The system action will depend on the validation result:

• If validation is successful for all bank accounts, the application will proceed normally.
• If validation is In Progress and none have failed, the application will go under automatic review.
• It will be auto-approved once validation is successful.
• If validation fails for any bank account, the application cannot be submitted until correct details are provided.
• In case of IEC modification, if validation fails initially, the application may be marked deficient and the applicant will have to correct the bank details.

DGFT has advised exporters, importers, banks and other stakeholders to verify the correctness of bank details and PAN linkage before submitting IEC applications or modification requests.

This step is expected to reduce fraud, prevent incorrect bank account linking, and strengthen trust in the IEC system. It will also support faster processing and enhance ease of doing business for India’s trade community.

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