India–UK CETA and Double Contribution Convention to enter into force on 15 July 2026

📌 Summary:

• India and the UK announced that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) will enter into force on 15 July 2026
• CETA provides zero-duty access on ~99% of India's tariff lines, covering nearly 100% of trade value
• DCC exemption period extended from 3 years to 5 years — a gain for India's temporary workers in the UK (avoids double social-security contributions)
• CETA expands services exports across 137 sub-sectors, including IT/ITES, professional, education and business services
• Timeline: groundwork via Enhanced Trade Partnership & India–UK Roadmap 2030 (May 2021) → CETA concluded 6 May 2025 after 14 rounds → signed 24 July 2025 in London (Piyush Goyal & Jonathan Reynolds) → DCC signed 10 February 2026
• Goal: doubling bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030; exclusion lists protect sensitive agriculture and rural economy

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 IR / GS3 Economy — Free Trade Agreements, economic diplomacy, services trade and labour mobility

📝 Prelims Facts:

• CETA enters into force: 15 July 2026; signed 24 July 2025 in London
• Zero-duty access on ~99% of India's tariff lines; 137 services sub-sectors
• DCC double-contribution exemption raised from 3 to 5 years
• Trade-doubling target: USD 100 billion by 2030

🔑 Key Term: Double Contribution Convention (DCC) — bilateral pact exempting posted workers from paying social-security contributions in both countries simultaneously