International Organization

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President, Functions, Organs

Context: India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution (introduced by France) that endorses the New York Declaration on peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue and the Two-State Solution. What is the New York Declaration? The New York...

Universal Postal Union (UPU), Objective, Members and Mandate

Context: India launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) - Universal Postal Union (UPU) Integration Project at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai. Earlier this month, the UPU made headlines with its drive to introduce technology into the postal network,...

World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Headquarter, Members and Functions

Context: The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released the Air Quality and Climate Bulletin. World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is significant in the context of the UPSC IAS Exams and is covered in the General Studies Paper 2—particularly the International Relations and...

New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC)

Context: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister announced plans to establish an international arbitration centre in Vizag. What is an Arbitration Centre? Arbitration is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) where parties to a dispute agree to submit their case to...

INTERPOL: History, Structure, Notices and Functions

Context: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued its first Purple Notice through Interpol. Interpol issued Silver Notices against two Indians for visa and crypto fraud, marking India’s first use of this new asset-tracking notice launched in January 2024. International Police...

International Monetary Fund (IMF), History, Functions, Structure

Context: The Union government has recently appointed former RBI Governor Urjit Patel as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Director International Monetary Fund (IMF) International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), founded at the...

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Context: The UNHCR has suspended the repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees after several returnees were arrested in Sri Lanka on charges of violating immigration laws. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Role: Protects refugees worldwide, ensures their safety,...

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement and its Provisions

Context: India and the European Union (EU) continue to differ on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, especially over strict EU food safety standards such as pesticide residue limits and aflatoxin levels, impacting agricultural exports from India. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures...

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Context: CIMMYT is reaching out to the Indian government and private sector for funding support after the shutdown of USAID (United States Agency for International Development) funding from July 1, 2025. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT): Background &...

Ottawa Treaty 1997, Objective, Members and Key Provisions

Context: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated the process to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention as the war with Russia shows no sign of a conclusion. Recently, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) have announced plans to withdraw...