Fifth National Time Release Study released; ICPs clear 93.33% of imports within 48 hours
On 20 June 2025 in New Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released the fifth edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) at the CBIC Conclave.
Summary
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released the fifth edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) at the CBIC Conclave in New Delhi on 20 June 2025. The Time Release Study measures the time taken to release cargo and has been conducted at 15 major locations since 2019. The fifth edition added three locations: Kochi Seaport, Garhi Harsaru ICD and Jaigaon LCS. Between 2023 and 2025, average import release time fell at seaports, air cargo complexes and integrated check posts, but rose by about 12 hours at inland container depots. Against NTFAP 3.0 targets, 93.33% of import cargo at integrated check posts was released within 48 hours.
Key facts
- Edition
- Fifth NTRS, released by FM at CBIC Conclave
- Coverage since 2019
- 15 major locations
- New locations
- Kochi Seaport, Garhi Harsaru ICD, Jaigaon LCS
- Import ART 2023→2025
- Seaports ~6 h, ACCs ~5 h, ICPs ~18 h faster; ICDs ~12 h slower
- NTFAP 3.0 targets
- ICPs 93.33% within 48 h; ACCs 55.03% within 24 h; seaports 51.76%; ICDs 43.70%
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) did Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman release on 20 June 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Fifth
PIB (Finance): Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman released the fifth edition of the National Time Release Study (NTRS) during the CBIC Conclave.
The fifth National Time Release Study widened its coverage to three additional locations. Which of the following was NOT one of them?
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Correct answer: D — Mundra Port
PIB (Finance): The fifth edition widened coverage to three additional ports: Kochi Seaport, Garhi Harsaru ICD and Jaigaon LCS. Mundra Port was not among them.
According to the fifth NTRS, what share of import cargo at Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) met the 48-hour release target under NTFAP 3.0?
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Correct answer: B — 93.33%
PIB (Finance): 93.33% of import cargo at ICPs met the 48-hour target, followed by air cargo complexes (55.03% within 24 hours), seaports (51.76%) and ICDs (43.70%).