New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS): India's exports in September grew at a slower rate than the past few months, rising 36.36 percent to $24.82 billion compared to $18.2 billion during the corresponding month of the previous year, official data showed Tuesday.

The cumulative value of exports for the first half of the current fiscal has risen 52.08 percent at $160.04 billion against $105.24 billion during the like period last year, according to data released by the ministry of commerce and industry.

Imports grew 17.2 percent to $34.58 billion in September, resulting in a monthly trade deficit of $9.67 billion.

The total imports in the current fiscal till September went up to $233.5 billion, a rise of 32.41 percent against $176.36 billion in the first six months of 2010-11.

The trade deficit for the April-September period now stands at $73.46 billion.

In the month under review, oil imports amounted to $9.2 billion, a 14.62 percent increase year-on-year, while non-oil imports rose 18.17 percent at $21.47 billion.

Oil imports during April-September were valued at $70.34 billion, 42.39 percent higher year-on-year.

The total value of non-oil imports during the six months under review was $163.16 billion, 28.52 percent higher than the level of such imports valued at $126.95 billion during the corresponding period last year.