A poll of economists by Reuters had forecast the number at $20.50 billion.
India's merchandise trade deficit in November 2022 stood at $32 billion.
India's exports declined by 2.8 per cent to $33.90 billion in November this year, as against 34.89 billion a year ago, government data showed.
Imports slipped to $54.48 billion in November, as against $55.8 billion in November 2022.
During the first eight months of this fiscal year that started April 1, exports fell 6.51 per cent to $278.8 billion as compared with year-earlier period.
Imports during April to November dipped 8.67 per cent to $445.15 billion.