India–UK CETA and Double Contribution Convention enter into force
The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Agreement on Social Security (Double Contribution Convention) entered into force on 15 July 2026, giving zero-duty access to nearly 99% of India's exports.
Summary
The India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Agreement on Social Security, also called the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), entered into force on 15 July 2026, marked by an event at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. CETA gives zero-duty access to nearly 99% of India's exports to the UK, covering almost 100% of trade value, and over 50 export consignments worth more than USD 140 million were flagged off on day one; the first certificates of origin were issued through the eCoO 2.0 platform. CETA was concluded on 6 May 2025 after fourteen rounds and signed in London on 24 July 2025 by Piyush Goyal and UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, while the DCC was signed on 10 February 2026. The DCC exemption from UK social security contributions for Indian workers on temporary assignment was raised from 3 years to 5 years.
Key facts
- Entry into force
- 15 July 2026
- Agreements
- India–UK CETA; Agreement on Social Security (Double Contribution Convention)
- Market access
- Zero duty on ~99% of India's exports, ~100% of trade value
- Day one
- 50+ consignments, USD 140 million+ flagged off; eCoO 2.0 certificates of origin
- Concluded
- 6 May 2025, after 14 rounds
- Signed
- 24 July 2025, London (Piyush Goyal and Jonathan Reynolds)
- DCC signed
- 10 February 2026
- DCC exemption
- Raised from 3 years to 5 years
- Merchandise trade 2025–26
- USD 25.12 billion (exports USD 13.44 bn, imports USD 11.68 bn)
Practice MCQs 4 questions
On which date did the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) enter into force?
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Correct answer: B — 15 July 2026
CETA and the Double Contribution Convention entered into force on 15 July 2026.
India–UK CETA provides zero-duty access to approximately what share of India's exports to the UK?
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Correct answer: D — 99%
CETA gives zero-duty access to nearly 99% of India's exports, covering almost 100% of trade value.
Under the India–UK Double Contribution Convention that came into force with CETA, the exemption period for Indian workers on temporary assignment in the UK was raised to how many years?
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Correct answer: A — 5 years
The DCC exemption from UK social security contributions was increased from 3 years to 5 years.
Consider the following statements about the India–UK CETA: 1. Negotiations were concluded on 6 May 2025 after fourteen rounds. 2. CETA was signed in London on 24 July 2025. 3. The Double Contribution Convention was signed on the same day as CETA. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Double Contribution Convention was signed later, on 10 February 2026.