Shri Goyal highlighted that the Guidebook is a major milestone in India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat@2047. It is designed to enhance domestic production, streamline regulatory processes, and support sectoral growth. By identifying the relevant Ministry or Department for each HSN Code, the Guidebook improves ease of doing business and strengthens trade agreement negotiations aligned with national priorities.
The initiative addresses challenges from previously unmapped or misclassified codes, often listed as ‘Residual Products’. DPIIT undertook a comprehensive value-chain and use-case analysis for all HSN Codes sourced from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Tariff Manual. Inter-Ministerial consultations, over 300 one-on-one meetings, and industry stakeholder discussions ensured the mapping reflects ground realities.
Operational Pillars of the Guidebook
The Guidebook includes a dedicated section, “How to Use the Guidebook?”, structured around three pillars:
- Manufacture in India: Focuses on positioning India as a global manufacturing hub by aligning policies, strengthening value chains, and developing workforce capabilities.
- Strengthen Brand India: Enhances the global perception of the ‘Made in India’ label through quality improvement and sectoral excellence.
- Make for the World: Supports more effective trade negotiations, enabling Indian products to capture a larger share in international markets.
By integrating these pillars, the Guidebook serves as a strategic instrument for Ministries and Departments to convert policy intentions into actionable outcomes.
A Catalyst for India’s Industrial Growth
The Guidebook is not just a classification exercise but a foundational resource for shaping India’s industrial future. It empowers government departments to adopt an outcome-oriented approach, streamlines custodianship of products, and facilitates coordinated policy interventions. As India moves towards becoming a global manufacturing leader, this initiative will ensure that trade, investment, and manufacturing strategies are aligned for sustainable growth and international competitiveness.