Piyush Goyal to inaugurate 45th India International Trade Fair on Nov 14
Synopsis
The 45th India International Trade Fair opens at Bharat Mandapam on 14 November, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal at the helm. With over 3,500 exhibitors, 11 international country pavilions, and a dedicated Hall of Inspiration hosting 600 startups, IITF 2026 is shaping up as the most expansive edition to date — and a significant platform for MSMEs and emerging deep-tech ventures.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the 45th IITF 2026 on 14 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi .
The fair runs from 14 to 27 November , with 14–18 November as B2B Business Days and 19–27 November open to the general public.
More than 3,500 exhibitors across 17 halls and over 1,00,000 sq metres of exhibition space.
11 countries will have dedicated pavilions; 32 states and UTs and 51 central bodies will participate.
Around 600 startups will be showcased at the Hall of Inspiration in Hall 14, covering deep-tech, agri-tech, drones, space, healthcare, and edtech.
The ODOP Pavilion will feature participation from 21 states , highlighting local crafts, cuisine, and artisans.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the 45th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 on 14 November at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, according to an official statement issued on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The 14-day event, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), is set to be the largest edition yet in terms of exhibitor count and exhibition space.
Scale and Format
The fair will run from 14 November to 27 November 2026 and bring together more than 3,500 exhibitors from India and abroad, spread across 17 halls covering over 1,00,000 square metres of exhibition space. The first five days — 14 to 18 November — will be designated 'Business Days', reserved exclusively for B2B visitors. The fair opens to the general public from 19 to 27 November.
State and Central Government Participation
A total of 32 states and Union Territories and 51 Central Ministries, Government Departments, PSUs, and Public Sector Banks will participate. Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are the designated Partner States, while Assam, Delhi, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are the Focus States. Participating states and UTs will showcase regional products, traditional crafts, tourism potential, and development initiatives.
International Participation and Trade Linkages
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 11 countries will participate with dedicated pavilions, featuring exhibitors from Thailand, Iran, Ghana, Nepal, Afghanistan, the UAE, Turkey, China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. These pavilions are designed to facilitate international business engagement and cross-border trade linkages.
Hall of Inspiration and Startup Focus
Jawed Ashraf, Chairman of ITPO, said IITF 2026 will celebrate India's progress, diversity and heritage, with a special emphasis on youth. Hall 14, designated the Hall of Inspiration, will host around 600 Indian startups spanning deep-tech, agri-tech, drones, space, healthcare, and edtech — giving young enterprises direct visibility and access to wider markets.
ODOP Pavilion and MSME Access
The One District One Product (ODOP) Pavilion will feature participation from 21 states, spotlighting signature crafts, cuisine, culture, and locally made products from districts across the country. Beyond trade exhibition, IITF continues to serve as a market-access platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), startups, and small traders, providing them an opportunity to connect with potential buyers and explore new markets.
With its expanded footprint and new experiential zones, IITF 2026 is positioned as a key convergence point for Indian industry, global trade delegations, and emerging enterprises heading into 2027.
Point of View
Cultural diplomacy, and new-economy visibility. Hosting 600 startups alongside international pavilions from countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh is an implicit statement about India's intent to anchor regional trade relationships even amid geopolitical friction. The real measure of IITF's value, however, lies not in exhibitor headcount but in whether MSMEs and artisans leave with actual buyer contracts — something the event has historically struggled to quantify.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 45th India International Trade Fair 2026?
The 45th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 will be held from 14 to 27 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Union Minister Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the event on 14 November.
Who is organising IITF 2026?
IITF 2026 is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. ITPO Chairman Jawed Ashraf heads the organising body.
What are the Business Days at IITF 2026?
The first five days of the fair — 14 to 18 November — are designated 'Business Days' exclusively for B2B visitors. The fair opens to the general public from 19 to 27 November.
Which countries are participating in IITF 2026?
Eleven countries will have dedicated pavilions at IITF 2026, including Thailand, Iran, Ghana, Nepal, Afghanistan, the UAE, Turkey, China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. These pavilions aim to facilitate international business engagement and trade linkages.
What is the Hall of Inspiration at IITF 2026?
The Hall of Inspiration, located in Hall 14, will showcase around 600 Indian startups working in sectors such as deep-tech, agri-tech, drones, space, healthcare, and edtech. It is designed to give young enterprises visibility and direct access to buyers and investors.
