More Stories

Informist, Friday, Mar. 20, 2026

 

By Pallavi Singhal

 

NEW DELHI – India is likely to extend the current import policy on pulses beyond its expiry at the end of March as there is no strong reason to alter the existing framework, two government officials told Informist.

 

"Under the current circumstances, there is no reason to change the existing policy," a senior government official said. At present, imports of tur, chana, and urad are allowed duty free, while masur attracts 10% import duty and yellow peas 30% duty. Imports of moong have remained restricted since 2022.

 

The government typically reviews the pulses import policy ahead of the new financial year, with the current dispensation set to expire on Mar. 31.

 

India imports around 5-6 million tonnes of pulses annually to meet its domestic demand of about 28 million tonnes.

 

When asked about the possibility of raising duties on yellow peas, the official said there is a view within policy circles that maintaining very high tariffs while continuing imports may not be logical. "If we have irrationally high duties while allowing imports, it does not make sense," the official said, adding that the government could either set duties at a more viable level or restrict imports altogether.

 

On masur, the official said imports have been declining in line with market conditions, suggesting there is no evidence of excess shipments or stockpiling. "Our import quantity has also come down... importers are importing as per market condition," the official said, adding that there was no indication that masur imports were hurting domestic prices.

 

The policy stance also reflects a relatively comfortable domestic supply situation. Government-held pulses stocks currently stand around 2.2 million tonne, below the buffer norm of 3.5 million tonne, leaving room for further procurement in the ongoing season. Officials said the combination of adequate stocks, ongoing procurement and steady imports provides a sufficient supply cushion, reducing the need for any immediate change in import policy.

 

When asked about concerns over a possible El Nino — typically associated with a weaker monsoon in India — the second official said policies could be adjusted if required. The first official said the government remains watchful, but a formal review is likely only after the India Meteorological Department releases its forecast.  End

 

Edited by Deepshikha Bhardwaj

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd. by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt. Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (22) 6985-4000 /+91 (11) 4220-1000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.