UPSC Mains 2014 · GS II · Q20 · 12.5 marks · 200 words

WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions ? Critically analyse India's stand on the latest round of talks on Food security.

हिन्दी में

विश्व व्यापार संगठन (डब्ल्यू.टी.ओ.) एक महत्वपूर्ण अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संस्था है, जहाँ लिए गए निर्णय देशों को गहराई से प्रभावित करते हैं। डब्ल्यू.टी.ओ. का क्या अधिदेश (मैंडेट) है और उसके निर्णय किस प्रकार बंधनकारी है ? खाद्य सुरक्षा पर विचार-विमर्श के पिछले चक्र पर भारत के दृढ़-मत का समालोचनापूर्वक विश्लेषण कीजिये।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Despite being a cornerstone of the global trade architecture, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is facing a crisis of relevance. Examine the major challenges undermining the WTO's effectiveness and suggest measures for its revival in a multipolar world.”

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 189 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a date or context

World Trade Organisation was formed in 1995 post the Uruguay Round of global trade negotiation.

Body · points

Diagram
- WTO Cornerstone of Trade - (1) Reduction in Tariff Barriers - (2) fuelled globalisation of 2000s - (3) Most Favoured Nation Principle - (4) Non-discrimination

facing crisis of relevance

  1. Crisis of legitimacy → Violation of provisions of WTO by major powers eg. USA's reciprocal tariff

  2. Crisis of confidence → Not able to take decision and be reform itself

  3. Crisis of credibility → Non acceptance of orders → eg USA Violated aluminum Tariff order of WTO

  4. Disfunctional dispute resolution System → USA blocking appointment

  5. Not able to represent ideas of global south → No consensus of Public stockholding issue. → Discriminatory Agreement on Agriculture against developing countries

  6. Not evolving (Anaichronistic) in nature → does not counter present day Non Tariff Barrier → eg CBAM by EU.

Measures for Revival

  1. Reforming WTO decision making System

  2. More powers to developing countries

  3. Re-negotiation of conflicting agreement.

  4. Sticking to "Doha Development Agenda" - for developing countries

  5. Power to Punish → non-compliang Country.

  6. Reforms in dispute resolution system

  7. Allowing adjustment to subsidy limit

Pascal Lamy (Ex WTO DG) says, WTO needs to evolve and reform itself to stay relevant in changing times

Close · a quotation

None written.

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper II, Q20. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.