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March 31, 2026. In a significant step aimed at strengthening food security and ensuring price stability, the Government of India has extended the import policy for key pulses—including tur (pigeon pea), urad (black matpe), and yellow peas—until March 31, 2027. The decision, implemented through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, comes at a crucial time as the earlier policy cycle concluded, offering much-needed continuity to both domestic and international markets. By extending the framework for another year, the government has provided clarity that is expected to support smoother trade operations and reduce uncertainty across the supply chain. Under the revised policy, imports of tur and urad will continue to remain duty-free. This approach is primarily intended to offset domestic production gaps, maintain adequate availability in the market, and prevent sudden price spikes for essential food commodities. In contrast, yellow peas will continue to attract an import duty of 30 per cent, reflecting a calibrated strategy to safeguard domestic farmers from cheaper imports while still allowing controlled inflow to meet demand. Additionally, the regulatory framework around yellow pea imports remains intact, with importers required to register their consignments under the government’s Import Monitoring System, ensuring transparency and better tracking of trade volumes. The industry has largely welcomed the move, viewing it as a stabilizing factor in an otherwise volatile global commodities environment. According to Bimal Kothari, Chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association, the extension delivers long-term visibility and enables more efficient planning for stakeholders across the value chain. India continues to be one of the world’s largest consumers and importers of pulses, making policy consistency a critical factor in managing both domestic affordability and farmer welfare. With this extension in place, the government appears to be maintaining a careful balance between ensuring sufficient supply for consumers and protecting producer interests. Market estimates suggest that India’s pulses imports during the 2026–27 season are likely to surpass 5 million tonnes, underlining the continued importance of imports in meeting the country’s consumption needs.