+918679601119 / +918679401119
info@pcsa.in

INDIA'S STAND ON GM IMPORTS AND DAIRY PRODUCTS

04 Nov 2026

Tags: Prelims   Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Indian Express

Context: During India–US trade negotiations, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated India's opposition to genetically modified (GM) product imports and certain dairy products involving calf-derived ingredients.

India's Position on GM and Dairy Imports

  • GM products: India will not permit imports of GM products, maintaining its existing restrictions.
  • Dairy products: Imports must meet India's certification requirements, including restrictions on products involving calf meat or animal-derived rennet.
  • Animal feed standards: Dairy-producing animals must not be fed prohibited materials such as internal organs, blood meal or tissues of ruminant or porcine origin.
  • US objection: The US Trade Representative (USTR) considers India's dairy certification, facility registration requirements and high tariffs to be non-tariff barriers restricting US dairy exports.
  • Trade negotiations: The US seeks greater access to India's dairy and GM product markets.

Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and Self-Reliance

  • Chinese export restrictions: China planned to restrict exports of tunnel boring machines from November 18.
  • India's response: India intends to develop domestic TBM manufacturing capabilities rather than depend on Chinese imports.
  • Rare earth dependence: Following Chinese restrictions on rare earth exports, Indian startups have begun developing motors using domestically sourced rare earth materials.

Important Prelims Concepts

  • Genetically Modified (GM) Organisms: Organisms whose genetic material is altered using genetic engineering techniques.
  • Rennet: Enzyme complex used to coagulate milk during cheese production. It can be obtained from the stomach lining of young ruminants or produced through microbial and fermentation-based methods.
  • Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs): Trade restrictions other than customs duties, including import quotas, technical standards, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
  • Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures: Measures to protect human, animal and plant health from risks arising from food, pests and diseases under the WTO SPS Agreement.
  • Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM): Machine used to excavate tunnels through soil and rock, particularly for metros, railways, roads and underground infrastructure.

Prelims Question

Q1. With reference to India's dairy import requirements and international trade rules, consider the following statements:

  1. Rennet is an enzyme complex used in cheese production and may be obtained from animal or microbial sources.
  2. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures are recognised under the WTO framework to protect human, animal and plant health.
  3. Every technical standard imposed by an importing country automatically constitutes a prohibited non-tariff barrier under WTO rules.
  4. Restrictions on animal feed ingredients may form part of a country's requirements relating to animal health and food safety.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is Correct: Rennet helps coagulate milk during cheese production. It can be obtained from the stomach lining of young ruminants or produced through microbial and fermentation-based methods.
  • Statement 2 is Correct: The WTO SPS Agreement recognises measures to protect human, animal and plant health from risks associated with food, pests and diseases.
  • Statement 3 is Incorrect: Technical standards are not automatically prohibited. Their legitimacy depends on applicable WTO rules and their implementation.
  • Statement 4 is Correct: Restrictions on prohibited animal-feed materials can form part of domestic animal-health and food-safety requirements.

Archive

More Links

Prelims Preparation Strategy UPSC Prelims Syllabus CSAT Prelims Strategy Mains Preparation Strategy UPSC Mains Syllabus Optional Subject Preparation Strategy Potential of Optional Subject List of Optional Subject UPSC Previous Year Papers Preparation Strategy for Mains