I (Meaning and importance of Exports) Unit Structure

 
 
The DGCI&S is one of the oldest agencies in India. It was 
setup in 1862 at Kolkata. It is the nodal agency of government of 
India, which is responsible for collections, compilation and 
dissemination of trade statistics and various types of commercial 
information. The commercial information is required by policy 
makers, researchers, exporters, importers and others. 
 
8.3.2 FUNCTIONS OF DGCI&S: 
The following are the various functions of DGCI&S 
 
(a) 
Publications 
It brings out number of publications relating to foreign trade. 
Some of them are monthly statistics of foreign trade of India, 
foreign trade statistics of India. India trade journal, a weekly journal, 
directory of Indian exporters, directory of Indian importers. 
 
(b) 
Data Capture 
The daily trade returns (DTRs), forming the source 
document for foreign trade data, are received form major custom 
houses through VAST. The data from minor ports are received 
through e-mail or CDs. A monitoring-cum-feed back system has 
been in operation for improving the quality and coverage of data 
received from custom houses. 
 
(c) 
Data Processing 
The daily trade returns from custom houses and minor ports 
are passed through a series of coverage checking and cleaning 
operations at the EDP unit of DGCI&S. The data processing is 
done with the help of ORACLE based platform. 
(d) 
Priced Information Service System (PISS) 
Data are disseminated among private parties, EPCS, CBs, 
Foreign Embassies, etc. On payment basis under a special scheme 
called PISS. Under this scheme, the users are to pay Rs. 1/- pur 
unit record of information. 
 
(e) 
Quick Estimates 
DGCI&S makes available quick estimates on aggregate data 
export and import, principal commodities. The quick estimates 
enable the government of India to assess India‟s foreign trade 
performance scenario in advance, as well as to study the impact of 
various trade policies.