WTO (External Sector).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Economic & Social Development; Mains GS3
WTO for UPSC: GATT to WTO, MFN and national treatment, Agreement on Agriculture boxes, TRIPS, dispute settlement crisis, public stockholding, fisheries, PYQs.
At the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee, USA, concluding on 2 October 2026, India said it has no structural excess capacity in the sectors named by the G20 Presidency. It argued that trade distortions should be handled through WTO-consistent anti-dumping and countervailing duties, backed MFN and consensus, and wanted the two-tier dispute settlement system restored.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MFN; anti-dumping vs countervailing duty. · Mains: Is the MFN principle under threat?
2 Oct 2026
India's eighth WTO Trade Policy Review opened in Geneva with the Commerce Secretary citing nearly 8% growth in the review period and record exports of USD 863.1 billion in 2025-26. Sixty-five WTO members joined the discussion. India had just deposited its Instrument of Acceptance for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
UPSC angle: Prelims: TPRM.
21 Jul 2026
India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol for Ethiopia's WTO membership in Geneva on 22 May 2026 and deposited it with the WTO Secretariat. India backs developing-country and LDC accessions. Ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the PM's Ethiopia visit in December 2025. Ethiopia's Working Party met for the seventh time on 22 to 23 April 2026.
UPSC angle: Prelims: WTO accession process.
22 May 2026
PSH protects India's MSP procurement from WTO subsidy challenges.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SCO trade share. · Mains: India at WTO.
7 Sep 2025
Anti-dumping protects industry.
UPSC angle: Prelims: DGTR.
17 May 2025