New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) India's January merchandise exports rose over 5.37 per cent on a year-on-year basis, preliminary data showed on Tuesday. Accordingly, the country's merchandise exports during the month under review grew to $27.24 billion from $25.85 billion in January 2020.

As per the data, in January 2021, the value of non-petroleum exports rose by 11.37 per cent over January 2020 to $25.24 billion.

"The value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in January 2021 was $22.40 billion as compared to $19.79 billion in January 2020, registering a positive growth of 13.21 per cent," a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement said on the basis of preliminary data.

"The cumulative value of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in April-January 2020-21 was $188.73 billion, as compared to $197.94 billion for the corresponding period in 2019-20, exhibiting a decrease of 4.65 per cent," it said.

In terms of imports, India's inbound shipments in January 2021 increased by 2.05 per cent to $41.99 billion from $41.15 billion during the corresponding period of 2020.

"Merchandise imports during April-January 2020-21 were $300.26 billion, as compared to $405.33 billion during the same period last year, exhibiting a negative growth of 25.92 per cent," the statement said.

Last month, oil imports were $9.40 billion, as compared to $13.01 billion in January 2020, a decline of 27.72 per cent.

"Non-oil imports in January 2021 were estimated at $32.59 billion, as compared to $28.14 billion in January 2020, showing an increase of 15.81 per cent. Non-oil, non-GJ (gold, silver and precious metals) imports were $26.35 billion in January 2021, recording a positive growth of 5.94 per cent, as compared to nharma. He pointed out that, generally, 800 to 1,000 shooters compete in a Delhi state competition.

"Since competition is being organised in one category -- National Rules -- the number of participants would half the usual number this time," he said, referring to the upcoming Delhi State Shooting Championships that will be held in three states outside Delhi.

The air weapon events -- 10m air pistol and rifle -- will be conducted at Deep School in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh from February 5-12 while shotgun competition will be conducted at Faridabad's Manav Rachna Education Institute in Haryana from February 5-9. The small bore events, including 25m rapid pistol, will be organised in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, from February 14-19.

Beginners and aspiring shooters keen to play at the national level have to compete in the National Rules category, in which a match comprises 40 shots, to achieve minimum scores and become eligible to compete in the International Shooting Sport Federation events, in which a match comprises 60 shots.

--IANS ns/qma