Exporters Under Pressure? See How RBI Moratorium Impact on Exporters May Shift the Game

The RBI's new move gives exporters a repayment pause, but is it enough in today’s global trade uncertainty? Understand the real RBI moratorium impact on exporters through facts, rules, and timelines.

Many Indian exporters are under pressure due to delayed overseas payments and falling new orders. Amidst this, the Reserve Bank of India announced a short-term moratorium through a circular in November 2025. 

The RBI moratorium impact on exporters is being felt already in terms of slightly easier cash flow planning, even though not everyone qualifies for the support.

As per the circular, exporters with standard loan accounts as of 31 August 2025 can defer term loan repayments that fall due between 1 September and 31 December 2025. The move, though temporary, addresses the real pressure exporters face during such unpredictable trade cycles.

What Has Changed In The Loan Rules And What It Means For Exporters

This is not a loan waiver. It is a time-based pause with conditions. Here is what the RBI offered:
 

This change is one part of the broader RBI moratorium impact on exporters, and it helps businesses to plan their obligations without immediate repayment stress.

However, the pause is only for those whose loans were not overdue or in default before 1 September 2025. That limits the scope of the relief, as it does not cover exporters already under heavy stress.

Who Qualifies For The Export Moratorium Scheme And Who Does Not?

A moratorium is nothing fancy. Just a pause on dues for a fixed period, not a waiver. Interest builds in a plain way. Unpaid interest turns into another small loan called a funded interest term loan, payable in the first half of 2026. Many exporters expected more, but this is what came.

There is one catch. Only accounts marked as standard on 31 August 2025 get this pause. Anyone already struggling stays out. That’s how we see it anyway.
 

This scheme, while limited, still shows a clear RBI moratorium impact on exporters, especially in sectors where shipment and payment delays are common. It gives some space for exporters to manage working capital in the short term.

How This RBI Moratorium Links To Past Relief Measures For Exporters

This is not the first time RBI stepped in with such a measure. During the pandemic in 2020, the central bank also gave a moratorium, but under very different conditions. At that time, the global supply chain was broken, and buyers were cancelling orders.

Today, the challenges are different: high tariffs, low demand, and late payments. The RBI moratorium impact on exporters still aims to provide similar relief, but under stricter terms.

A previous Loansjagat article showed how exporters asked for a one-year repayment break and currency support. In contrast, this current moratorium lasts just four months, and has clear repayment rules for 2026.

What Banks Must Do Differently This Time As Per RBI Guidelines

Banks are not just applying this policy without checks. They must follow reporting, extra provisioning, and clear board-approved policies. The RBI expects them to make sure no misclassification happens.
 

This structure helps RBI maintain financial system stability while giving exporters some limited support.

Conclusion 

Exporters still walk a thin line. The RBI moratorium offers support amid economic uncertainties, even if short. 

Some say the relief feels late, others say it is still better than silence. And like most things in trade, the real test will be in how businesses use this breathing space.

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LoansJagat Team

‘Simplify Finance for Everyone.’ This is the common goal of our team, as we try to explain any topic with relatable examples. From personal to business finance, managing EMIs to becoming debt-free, we do extensive research on each and every parameter, so you don’t have to. Scroll up and have a look at what 15+ years of experience in the BFSI sector looks like.