New Delhi: The 45th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 will bring together India’s growing start-up ecosystem, MSMEs, industries and international businesses on a common platform at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27. Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the 14-day trade fair will feature more than 3,500 exhibitors across 17 halls, with participation from 32 States and Union Territories and 11 countries.
Themed ‘Vikas aur Virasat’ (Development and Heritage), IITF 2026 will place a special focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, emerging technologies and traditional industries. A major attraction will be the Hall of Inspiration in Hall 14, showcasing around 600 Indian start-ups working across sectors such as deep-tech, agri-tech, drones, space technology, healthcare and education technology.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the fair on November 13 as the Chief Guest. The inaugural ceremony will feature an Odissi performance by Padma Shri awardee Guru Madhavi Mudgal and her group.
Jawed Ashraf, Chairman of ITPO, said IITF represents India’s development, diversity and heritage. He highlighted that the 2026 edition would provide a platform to showcase policy developments, emerging businesses, technological progress and India’s cultural diversity.
According to Ashraf, the Hall of Inspiration will bring around 600 start-ups to the national platform and expose young visitors to innovations across multiple sectors. ITPO expects visitor numbers to exceed the nearly 18 lakh recorded during the previous edition.
IITF 2026 to Give Start-ups a Major Platform
The start-up ecosystem will be one of the key highlights of IITF 2026. The dedicated Hall of Inspiration will provide emerging enterprises with an opportunity to showcase their products, technologies and business ideas to visitors, industry representatives and potential buyers.
The participation of around 600 start-ups reflects the growing importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in India’s economic development. The exhibition will cover emerging areas including deep technology, agricultural technology, drones, space, healthcare and edtech.
The initiative is also expected to provide greater visibility to start-ups from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, enabling them to connect with wider markets and explore business opportunities.
ITPO is also facilitating the participation of Indian start-ups at international events, including VivaTech in Paris and the upcoming Singapore FinTech Festival. These initiatives are aimed at expanding global exposure, encouraging international collaboration and connecting Indian entrepreneurs with overseas markets.
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MSMEs and Local Businesses to Get Market Access
Beyond start-ups, IITF continues to serve as an important platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, manufacturers and small traders.
The fair will provide participating businesses with opportunities to display their products, interact with potential customers, establish business connections and explore new markets.
The One District One Product (ODOP) Pavilion will be another major attraction, featuring participation from 21 states. It will showcase district-specific products, traditional crafts, local cuisines and cultural offerings, bringing regional enterprises and artisans to a national platform.
The pavilion aims to highlight India’s local manufacturing capabilities, traditional skills and district-level economic potential.
32 States and 11 Countries to Participate
IITF 2026 will feature participation from 32 States and Union Territories, along with 51 Central Ministries, Government Departments, PSUs and Public Sector Banks.
Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh will participate as Partner States, while Assam, Delhi, Jharkhand and West Bengal will be the Focus States.
The participating states and UTs will showcase their regional products, industries, handicrafts, tourism potential, cultural heritage and development initiatives.
International participation will include 11 countries, with exhibitors from Thailand, Iran, Ghana, Nepal, Afghanistan, the UAE, Turkey, China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Their participation is expected to facilitate international business engagement and strengthen trade linkages.
The fair will cover more than 100,000 square metres of exhibition space across 17 halls. Country pavilions will be located in Hall 1, while Partner and Focus States, Central Ministries, PSUs and Public Sector Banks will occupy Halls 2 to 5.
Halls 8 to 14 will feature a wide range of consumer products, including electronics, textiles, footwear, processed food, agricultural products, handicrafts, furniture, cosmetics and jewellery.
Technology, Culture and New Visitor Attractions
Apart from business and trade activities, IITF 2026 will introduce several new attractions for visitors. Playverse@Mandapam will offer an interactive digital experience combining entertainment and education, particularly for young visitors and families.
The fair will also feature 87 cultural performances, recitals and shows across seven venues. These performances will represent classical and folk traditions from different parts of India and include established artists as well as emerging talent.
Major attractions will include The Manganiyar Seduction, Tal Fry, Hariharan and Prithvi Gandharva, Shahzad Ali, Salim–Sulaiman and Ruhaniyat, featuring performers from Nigeria. Tickets for selected programmes will be available through BookMyShow, while cultural performances from 19 states and organisations will be free with IITF entry.
A food court featuring more than 90 outlets will offer Indian and international cuisines, with emphasis on food quality, hygiene, zero-waste practices and reduced plastic usage.
Bharat Mandapam to Emerge as a Year-Round Exhibition Destination
ITPO is also working towards developing Bharat Mandapam as a year-round destination for exhibitions, cultural programmes and public engagement.
The venue will feature large LED mesh installations of approximately 1,000 square metres each at Hall 1 and Hall 14, alongside plans for around 100 LED screens across the complex. More than 30 screens are expected to be installed during the fair.
A proposed cultural hub with a seating capacity of approximately 2,000 is also part of the broader plan to expand the venue’s role as a centre for cultural and public activities.
ITPO has arranged dedicated facilities for exhibitors, visitors and media representatives, including a Media Lounge, Protocol Lounge, B2B networking facilities, shuttle services, golf carts, medical centres and visitor assistance services.
IITF 2026: Dates, Timings and Ticket Information
The first five days, November 14 to 18, will be reserved for Business Days, primarily catering to B2B visitors. The fair will open to the general public from November 19 to 27.
The fair will remain open from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, with general public entry permitted until 5:30 PM.
Tickets can be booked through the official IITF website at booking.indiatradefair.com, the IITF 2026 mobile application and offline counters at 55 Delhi Metro stations. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be allowed free entry on General Days with valid government-issued identification.
The IITF mobile application, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, will provide ticket booking, exhibitor information, interactive venue navigation, shuttle routes, cultural event schedules and business networking facilities.
IITF: Connecting India’s Business and Innovation Ecosystem
Over the years, the India International Trade Fair has emerged as an important platform connecting government institutions, industries, businesses, start-ups, MSMEs and artisans from India and abroad.
The 2026 edition seeks to bring together India’s traditional industries and emerging technology enterprises under one roof. With 600 start-ups, thousands of exhibitors and international participation, IITF will provide opportunities for entrepreneurship, business networking, market access and trade promotion.
By combining innovation, local enterprise, manufacturing, cultural heritage and international business engagement, IITF 2026 aims to highlight the expanding role of India’s start-up and MSME ecosystem in the country’s economic growth.
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