WTO (International Institutions).
Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS2: India & neighbourhood, groupings, international institutions, diaspora
WTO for UPSC: GATT to WTO, MFN and national treatment, Agreement on Agriculture boxes, TRIPS, dispute settlement crisis, public stockholding, fisheries, PYQs.
On 16 September 2026 the CBIC marked ten years of India's Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme with an event called "AEO@10" in New Delhi. The programme, aligned with the World Customs Organisation's SAFE Framework, gives trusted traders faster customs clearance. 5,967 entities have been certified so far across the T1, T2, T3 and LO categories.
UPSC angle: Prelims: AEO and WCO SAFE Framework.
16 Sep 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
India wants special treatment for small fishers in any WTO subsidy deal.
UPSC angle: Prelims: WTO.
29 Mar 2026