CURRENT AFFAIRS | 29 MAY 2026
India has emerged as the world’s most active user of anti-dumping measures — filing 226 investigations between January 2021 and June 2025, of which 130 targeted China alone, per data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The push, routed through the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), has now triggered an open split inside Indian industry, with large chemical manufacturers backing aggressive duties while downstream MSMEs in paints, plastics, and textiles complain of squeezed input costs.
The Headline Numbers
Of 226 anti-dumping investigations filed at the WTO in the window, 170 measures are currently in force, and 51% relate to chemicals and allied industries. India’s chemical-sector trade deficit stands at $31 billion ($75 bn imports vs $44 bn exports), with China the dominant source. India initiates roughly 70% of its ADD investigations against Chinese goods.
The MSME Pushback
Downstream user industries — paint manufacturers, plastic processors, textile dyers — argue that protective duty on intermediate chemicals raises their cost of production and erodes export competitiveness. The standoff has revived debates over the “lesser duty rule” and whether DGTR’s injury determinations adequately weigh user-industry interests, as required under Rule 17 of the Anti-Dumping Rules 1995.
Constitutional & Legal Framework
- WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement (ADA 1995) + Article VI of GATT 1994
- Customs Tariff Act 1975 §9A (anti-dumping duty), §9B (no-injury), §9C (CESTAT appeal)
- Customs (Identification, Assessment & Collection of Anti-Dumping Duty) Rules 1995
- DGTR, set up 2018 by merging DGAD + DGS + Safeguards
- BIS Act 2016 — Quality Control Orders as non-tariff alternative
Why This Matters for CLAT 2027
Anti-dumping is a perennial CLAT-PG and CLAT-UG GK favourite. Expect questions on the WTO three-step test (dumping + injury + causal link), distinction between anti-dumping and countervailing duty (Article VI vs XVI of GATT), and the appellate hierarchy (DGTR → Finance Ministry notification → CESTAT → High Court writ → SC SLP).
Key Facts
| Cases filed (Jan 2021-Jun 2025) | 226 |
| Vs China | 130 (57%) |
| Measures in force | 170 |
| Chemicals share | 51% |
| Chemical trade deficit | $31 bn |
Mnemonic — D-U-M-P
DGTR investigator · Undercutting export price · Material injury test · Provisional 6-month duty.
Test Your Understanding
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
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