Imports too rose by 0.46 per cent to $34.25 billion during the month under review, leaving a trade deficit of $10.36 billion.
India's exports continued to grow for the fourth straight month in December 2016, expanding by 5.72 per cent to $23.9 billion compared to $22.6 billion in the same month of previous year.
Oil imports were valued at $7.645 billion during December 2016 which was 14.61 per cent higher than oil imports valued at $6.670 billion in December 2015, the trade data released by commerce and industry ministry showed.
Non-oil imports were estimated at $26.608 billion in December, down by 2.98 per cent than that of $27.425 billion in December, 2015.
During April-December period, exports grew marginally by 0.75 per cent $198.8 billion. However, imports dipped 7.42 per cent to $275.3 billion.
Trade deficit during the nine-month period stood at $76.54 billion as against $100 billion in the same period last year.