RBI launches 2025-26 survey on computer software and ITES exports
New Delhi, June 1
The Reserve Bank of India has launched its annual survey on Computer Software and Information Technology Enabled Services Exports for the 2025-26 round. The central bank uses this comprehensive data collection exercise to assess the performance of India's technology exports sector.
According to a RBI release, the survey collects data on various aspects of computer services exports as well as exports of information technology enabled services and business process outsourcing services. The aggregated survey results are subsequently disseminated in the public domain, besides being used in the compilation of India's external sector statistics.
The central bank has established mandatory reporting requirements for all tech-based exporting corporations operating within the country. The survey schedule for the 2025-26 round is required to be filled in by all software and ITES/BPO services exporting entities. The release stated that the final due date to submit the survey response is July 15, 2026.
The soft form of this survey schedule, available in both Hindi and English, is accessible on the official RBI website under the heading 'Regulatory Reporting', leading to 'List of Returns', 'Return Name', and 'ITES - Survey Schedule'.
It can also be found under the head 'Forms' at the bottom of the home page and sub-head 'Survey', moving to 'Computer Software and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) Exports for 2025-26', which can be duly filled and submitted via email.
The central bank has introduced advanced technological infrastructure to handle the data transmission for this round. "This survey round is being conducted through survey module of Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) enabling web-based submission with built-in data consistency checks for data quality assurance and automated email acknowledgement on successful submission facility," the RBI release stated.
"The facility to submit excel based survey responses through existing SMS system is also available in parallel," the release noted, adding that "This existing excel-based reporting system will be decommissioned from the next round of the survey."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Our IT sector is the backbone of the economy, and this survey is critical for policy making. However, I worry about compliance fatigue for MSMEs—they need handholding, not just a deadline. Hope RBI provides some Webinars in regional languages too.
The data will help us show the world our true tech prowess. But I'm skeptical about the July 2026 deadline—many companies are still recovering from the last year's chaos. A staggered deadline for smaller firms would have been fairer.
Love that the form is available in Hindi and English! 🌸 But why not add a few more regional languages? Our software exports come from all corners of India—from Bengaluru to Bhubaneswar. Let's make it truly inclusive.
This is a necessary exercise for accurate BoP data. But mandatory reporting for all? That's a bit heavy-handed. Many BPOs operate on thin margins—additional compliance costs will hurt. At least RBI should exempt very small exporters.
Finally! The CIMS system sounds like a game changer. Auto-validation and email receipts will save us hours of follow-up. Hope the RBI tech team has done thorough testing—nothing worse than a glitchy portal on the last day. 😅
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.