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India recorded highest-ever exports in FY2025-26 at $863.1 billion — merchandise $441.8bn + services $421.3bn — driven by strong FTA-partner trade with UAE, UK and Australia.
Under India-UAE CEPA (in force since 1 May 2022), 4.45 lakh Certificates of Origin have been issued; tariff lines exported to UAE rose from 7,546 (FY2021-22) to 8,053 (FY2025-26), worth $37.3 billion.
Under India-Australia ECTA (in force since 29 December 2022), Certificate of Origin issuance rose from 1,482 (FY2020-21) to an average of ~45,527/year; tariff lines rose from 5,396 to 5,668, worth $7.2 billion.
India-UK CETA entered into force on 15 July 2026, granting duty-free access to 99% of Indian exports to the UK; India-Oman CEPA (in force 1 June 2026) grants duty-free access to 99.38% of Indian export value.
Comprehensive tariff liberalisation and economic partnership with the UAE
Key: In force 1.5.2022; 4.45 lakh Certificates of Origin issued; tariff lines to UAE up from 7,546 to 8,053 (+507, 6.7%), worth $37.3bn
Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Australia
Key: In force 29.12.2022; CoO issuance up from 1,482 (FY20-21) to ~45,527/year average; tariff lines up from 5,396 to 5,668 (+272), worth $7.2bn
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom
Key: In force 15.7.2026; duty-free access to 99% of Indian exports to the UK
Gulf-region tariff liberalisation
Key: In force 1.6.2026; duty-free access to 99.38% of India's exports by value, covering 98.08% of Oman's tariff lines; 783 CoOs issued; June 2026 exports $622.8mn (+54.7% MoM, +189.6% YoY)
Trade and Economic Partnership with the European Free Trade Association
Key: In force October 2025; 92.2% of tariff lines offered, covering 99.6% of India's exports; 7,885 CoOs issued
Administers India's foreign trade policy and export promotion; part of the whole-of-Government framework monitoring FTA utilisation via Certificates of Origin
A CoO certifies that exported goods originate from India under an FTA's Rules of Origin, letting the importing country's customs apply the FTA's preferential (reduced/zero) tariff instead of the standard rate. A rising count of CoOs issued under a given FTA is a direct measure of how much exporters are actually 'utilising' that agreement's tariff concessions, distinct from the agreement simply being in force
Simple Analogy: A CoO works like a boarding pass proving you qualify for a discounted fare — without it, you pay the full standard price at the border even if a cheaper FTA rate technically exists
GS Paper 2 > International Relations > Trade Agreements; GS Paper 3 > Economy > Foreign Trade
Economic Affairs > India's Trade Agreements
When was the Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) announced by India?
Answer: 2008
Recurring — India's FTA trade data is updated in most Parliament sessions
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement — a deep FTA covering goods, services and investment
The criteria determining whether a good 'originates' from an FTA partner and thus qualifies for preferential tariffs