United Nations Day (October 24): the UN marked 78 years since the UN Charter came into force in 1945. India is a founding member.
IFFCO Nano DAP: Prime Minister inaugurated India's first Nano DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) manufacturing plant at Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
One District One Product: the Ministry of Commerce released data showing 1,000 products from 800 districts are now marketed under ODOP.
World Development Report 2024: analysis of India's middle-income trajectory featured in commentary.
1. United Nations Day: India's Role at 78
GS area: International Relations, Modern India History
October 24 is United Nations Day, marking the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.
UN Charter entry into force: October 24, 1945. The five permanent members of the Security Council (US, UK, USSR, France, China) ratified it along with a majority of original signatories.
India's founding membership: India was represented at the San Francisco Conference (April-June 1945) and signed the original charter. India was still under British colonial rule, represented by a delegation that included prominent nationalist leaders.
UN's original 51 member states: current membership stands at 193.
Security Council reform: India has been advocating for UNSC expansion for decades. The G4 group (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan) jointly advocates for permanent member status. India's case rests on its population, economic size, troop contributions to UN peacekeeping, and nuclear capability.
India and UN peacekeeping: India is the largest historical contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping missions. As of 2023, India has contributed over 250,000 troops over the decades, with deployments in Congo, Lebanon, South Sudan, and other conflict zones.
UN Specialised Agencies with India connections: FAO, WHO, UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, UNDP. India contributes staff, expertise, and is a significant donor to certain agencies.
2023 theme: "Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity."
Static linkage: International relations, modern history.
2. IFFCO Nano DAP: Precision Nutrition Revolution
GS area: Economy, Agriculture, Science and Technology
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first Nano Di-Ammonium Phosphate (Nano DAP) manufacturing facility at Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on October 24, 2023.
What is Nano DAP: Nano DAP is a liquid formulation of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) in nanoparticle form. Conventional DAP is a granular fertiliser applied to soil; Nano DAP is a foliar spray applied directly on leaves and seeds.
Conventional DAP: one of India's most used phosphatic fertilisers. Composed of 18 per cent nitrogen and 46 per cent phosphorus (18:46:0). India imports about 9 million tonnes annually; it heavily subsidises DAP.
Nano DAP advantages:
Reduces DAP use by approximately 50 per cent for equivalent nutrient uptake.
Direct foliar absorption: the nutrient reaches the plant, avoiding soil fixation losses.
Reduces soil and groundwater phosphorus pollution.
Reduces subsidy burden on the government.
Replaces one 50 kg bag of conventional DAP with a 500 ml bottle.
IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative): the world's largest fertiliser cooperative. Headquartered in New Delhi. Earlier launched Nano Urea (2021) at Kalol.
Government push: PM Gati Shakti and PM Pranam Yojana (for reducing chemical fertiliser use) complement the Nano fertiliser push.
Static linkage: Agriculture, economy.
3. One District One Product (ODOP): Status Report
GS area: Economy, Governance
The Ministry of Commerce's ODOP initiative reached a significant milestone in October 2023.
ODOP: launched under the PM's Office in 2022, later housed under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Each district identifies one product where it has a comparative advantage in production or craftsmanship.
Scale as of October 2023: over 1,000 products from more than 800 districts mapped and promoted.
Objective: preserve and promote unique district-level products; generate rural employment; reduce dependence on generic commodities; integrate artisans and craftsmen with national and export markets.
GI tag synergy: ODOP products overlap significantly with Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products. GI tags provide intellectual property protection and premium pricing.
Export facilitation: ODOP products are marketed at international trade fairs under the "India" brand umbrella. APEDA facilitates export of agricultural ODOP products.
Uttar Pradesh's ODOP model: UP was the pioneer state; its ODOP programme started before the national rollout and covers all 75 districts with distinct products (e.g., Varanasi silk weaving, Agra leather, Moradabad brassware).
Static linkage: Economy, governance.
4. GCC Countries: Gulf of Opportunity for India
GS area: International Relations, Economy
PIB released data on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries' economic relationship with India in October 2023.
GCC members: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman.
India-GCC trade: over USD 160 billion annually, making the GCC collectively India's largest trading partner group.
Indian diaspora in GCC: approximately 8-9 million Indians in GCC countries. Remittances from GCC account for roughly 40 per cent of total remittances to India.
UAE comprehensive partnership: India-UAE CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) signed February 2022. Trade target of USD 100 billion by 2026-27.
Oil imports: India imports about 25-30 per cent of its crude oil from Saudi Arabia and UAE combined. Saudi Aramco and ADNOC have partnership interests with Indian refineries.
Strategic minerals: GCC countries, particularly UAE and Saudi Arabia, are active in investing in Indian infrastructure and clean energy. The India-UAE-Saudi axis is key to IMEC.
Static linkage: International relations, economy.
5. Supreme Court on Motor Vehicles Act: Insurance Reforms
GS area: Polity, Governance
The Supreme Court issued directions to streamline third-party motor insurance claims in October 2023.
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019: enhanced penalties for traffic violations; increased third-party insurance compensation; introduced hit-and-run motor accident compensation via the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (Section 164B): a new fund to compensate victims of hit-and-run accidents and accidents caused by uninsured vehicles.
Third-party claims issues: delays in Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) proceedings; insurance companies avoiding liability through technicalities; inadequate compensation formulas.
Supreme Court direction: directed all High Courts to create special benches or fast-track procedures for accident compensation above a threshold.
Structured formula (Sarla Verma guidelines): the Supreme Court's 2009 judgment in Sarla Verma v. Delhi Transport Corporation established a structured formula for computing compensation, including loss of dependency, medical expenses, and future earnings.
IRDAI motor insurance reform: IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) in 2023 allowed pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) insurance, linking premiums to actual kilometres driven.
Static linkage: Polity, governance.
6. India's Deep Sea Mission Progress
GS area: Science and Technology, Environment
The Ministry of Earth Sciences reported progress on India's Deep Ocean Mission in October 2023.
Deep Ocean Mission (DOM): approved June 2021; outlay of Rs 4,077 crore over five years. India's first mission to explore ocean wealth systematically.
Matsya 6000: the deep-sea manned submersible being developed by NIOT (National Institute of Ocean Technology). Designed to carry three persons to 6,000 metres depth.
Resources targeted: polymetallic nodules (manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper) on the Central Indian Ocean Basin seafloor. India has exclusive rights over 75,000 sq km exploration zone granted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
Polymetallic nodules: rock concretions rich in manganese, iron, nickel, cobalt, and copper. They form over millions of years and are critical for electric vehicle batteries and electronics.
Deep sea biodiversity: the Indian Ocean's deep zones support unique chemosynthetic ecosystems. DOM has a biodiversity conservation mandate alongside resource exploration.
Static linkage: Science and technology, environment.
7. Briefly noted
Dhanvantari Jayanti (Dhanteras): coinciding with October 2023's Diwali run-up, PIB highlighted Dhanvantari as the deity of Ayurveda and the 9th avatar of Vishnu. Dhanvantari Jayanti is observed as National Ayurveda Day.
World Polio Day (October 24): India was certified polio-free in 2014. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative targets wild poliovirus in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Practice MCQs
Check yourself
Consider the following about IFFCO Nano DAP: 1. It is a liquid formulation applied as a foliar spray. 2. It replaces conventional DAP, which has a 18:46:0 NPK ratio. 3. IFFCO is the world's largest fertiliser cooperative. Which of the above is/are correct?
Check yourself
India was admitted to the United Nations in which year?
Check yourself
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has granted India exclusive exploration rights over approximately how much area in the Central Indian Ocean Basin?
Check yourself
One District One Product (ODOP) is primarily administered by which ministry?
Check yourself
With reference to the G4 group, which of the following is/are members?