India's merchandise trade deficit in November stood at $37.84 billion, according to a Reuters calculation based on export and import data released by the government on Monday.

Economists had expected the country's November trade deficit to be $23.9 billion, according to a Reuters poll.

India's merchandise exports increased by 2.17% year-on-year in the April to November period, the government data showed, while imports rose at a higher pace of 8.35%, widening the country's trade deficit.

Cargo containers are seen stacked outside the container terminal of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai, India. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade

India's merchandise exports in November stood at $32.11 billion, while imports were $69.95 billion, per data. In the previous month, merchandise exports were at $39.2 billion and imports stood at $66.34 billion.

In October, the merchandise trade deficit stood at $27.14 billion.