Question of the Day – ENHANCED CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN (ECOO) 2.0 SYSTEM
QOTD March 13,2026
Q1. With reference to the Certificate of Origin (CoO) system in India, consider the following statements:
- Certificate of Origin is used to establish the country where a product was manufactured or produced.
- The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has launched the upgraded eCoO 2.0 platform to simplify export certification.
- Electronic filing of non-preferential Certificates of Origin became mandatory from January 2025 through the upgraded platform.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
Statement-1 is correct
Certificate of Origin is an international trade document that certifies the country where goods are produced and is required to claim tariff concessions under trade agreements.
Statement-2 is correct
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade launched the upgraded eCoO 2.0 system to simplify the certification process and enhance trade efficiency.
Statement-3 is correct
From January 2025, electronic filing of non-preferential Certificates of Origin has been made mandatory on the eCoO 2.0 platform.
Why in news–
The Government of India has upgraded the electronic Certificate of Origin platform by launching the eCoO 2.0 system through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The upgraded system aims to simplify export certification, improve trade efficiency, and support exporters through a paperless digital process. From January 2025, electronic filing of non-preferential Certificates of Origin has been made mandatory on this platform. The system processes more than 7,000 certificates daily and provides features like multi-user access under a single Importer Exporter Code and Aadhaar-based e-signing.
News-Govt upgrades platform to issue certificates of origin – The Economic Times
There are more questions from this topic that you should practice to make your concepts stronger.
Practice Questions (PQ)
PQ1. With reference to the Certificate of Origin (CoO), consider the following statements:
- Preferential Certificates of Origin allow exporters to claim reduced or zero tariffs under Free Trade Agreements.
- Non-preferential Certificates of Origin are used to claim tariff concessions under trade agreements.
- Certificate of Origin is an important document in international trade for verifying the origin of goods.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Statement-1 is correct
Preferential Certificates of Origin are used under Free Trade Agreements to obtain tariff concessions.
Statement-2 is incorrect
Non-preferential Certificates of Origin only certify the origin of goods and do not provide tariff concessions.
Statement-3 is correct
It is a key document in international trade that confirms the origin of exported goods.
PQ2. With reference to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), consider the following statements:
- DGFT functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- DGFT is responsible for formulating and implementing India’s Foreign Trade Policy.
- DGFT operates under the Ministry of Finance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement-1 is correct
DGFT operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Statement-2 is correct
It is responsible for implementing and administering India’s Foreign Trade Policy.
Statement-3 is incorrect
DGFT does not function under the Ministry of Finance.
PQ3. With reference to India’s export documentation system, consider the following statements:
- Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- IEC is mandatory for businesses engaged in import and export of goods in India.
- IEC is issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statement-1 is correct
Importer Exporter Code is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Statement-2 is correct
IEC is mandatory for individuals or businesses engaged in import and export activities.
Statement-3 is incorrect
IEC is not issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
Previous Year Question (UPSC Prelims)
With reference to the “Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC)”, consider the following statements:
- TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
Statement-1 is incorrect
TRAFFIC is not a bureau under UNEP, it is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN.
Statement-2 is correct
Its mission is to ensure that international trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten biodiversity conservation.
