The development comes as merchandise export growth turned positive for the first time in three months, according to reports.
The economists had expected India's September data to be $25 billion, as per a Reuters poll.
While exports saw a slight decline of 0.5 percent compared to a sharper 9.4 percent drop in the previous month, imports rose by 1.6 percent, following a 2.8 percent increase in August.
This trade data contrasts with trends in the manufacturing PMI, which had suggested weakening external conditions and a drop in manufacturing activity to its lowest point in eight months.
For the first half of the 2024-25 fiscal year, exports rose by 1 percent, while imports increased by 6.1 percent.