Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Raising Day is held annually on 24th October to mark the formation of this force in the year 1962 post the India-China war. Working under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, ITBP takes care of India’s Himalayan border, with high altitude patrols and emergency operations in the mountains being its mandate. Some other duties of ITBP are disaster rescue, internal security, and community services.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police: Historical Background

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police came into existence on 24 October 1962 after the India-China war, for the purpose of restructuring the frontier intelligence and security setup in the Indo-Tibetan border region. Four battalions were sanctioned initially for this purpose, and the ITBP was set up under the CRPF Act, 1949.

Important years in the evolution of this police force are mentioned below,

• 1962: ITBP was set up with four battalions.
• 1975: Its role was redefined for effective border management and prevention of any illegal border activities.
• 1992: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act was passed by the Indian Parliament.
• 1994: Rules under the ITBPF Act were framed.
• 2004: Under the principle of One Border, One Force, ITBP was assigned responsibility for guarding the entire India-China border, replacing Assam Rifles in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Border Guarding by ITBP

ITBP is responsible for protecting around 3,488 km of the India-China border that starts from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh and ends at Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh. The border passes through the Union Territory of Ladakh and the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Its border outposts are based in some of the harshest conditions in the Himalayas. As per the ITBP official website, many of its posts have an altitude of between 9,000 and 18,800 feet and the temperature may drop to around minus 45°C during winters.

It conducts short and long distance patrols, keeps an eye on border approaches, prevents illegal crossing of the border and transnational crimes, etc.

Functions and Roles of ITBP

1. Border Security

Securing India-China border as well as monitoring sensitive high altitude frontiers.

2. Disaster Management & Relief Operations

Being the first responder in case of any natural disasters in Himalayan regions and conducting relief operations.

3. Mountaineering and Skiing

Training in mountaineering & other specialized skiing techniques.

4. Internal Security

Conducting internal security duties and participating in Left Wing Extremism operations including Chhattisgarh.

Thus, the duties of the ITBP render the organization both a specialized border guarding force as well as an integral part of the internal security and disaster management system of India.

Organization and Motto of ITBP

The ITBP works under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The official website of the organization states the following force structure consisting of 60 service battalions, 4 specialist battalions, 17 training centers and 7 logistic establishments.

The motto of the force is as follows “Shaurya – Dridhata – Karma Nishtha”

Meaning valour, steadfastness and dedication to duties respectively.

World Polio Day is marked every year on 24 October as an attempt to create awareness about poliomyelitis and help in the eradication of the disease by using vaccination all around the globe. The theme of World Polio Day in 2026 will be “Together, We End Polio,” which stresses the need for collaboration amongst governments, health professionals, communities, and international organizations. While vaccination has led to the eradication of the wild poliovirus from most of the world, there still remain some parts where the virus persists.

What Is Polio?

Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to paralysis of the affected person. The virus usually infects children under the age of five, but adults who have never received a vaccine can also get it.

The infection spreads mostly by the fecal-oral route through contaminated water and food. Sometimes, the infection affects the nervous system, causing paralysis.

Treatment of polio does not exist; vaccination is the best protection against polio. The vaccine prevents both polio disease and paralysis.

Symptoms of Polio

Most of the poliovirus infections do not have any symptoms. If there are symptoms, they can include,

• Fever, headache, and tiredness.
• Pain and stiffness of muscles, especially of the back and limbs.
• Muscle weakness.
• Paralysis and breathing problems (in severe cases).

Immediate consultation with a doctor is necessary in case of sudden muscle weakness or paralysis.

Theme of World Polio Day 2026: “Together, We End Polio”

The theme of World Polio Day 2026 is “Together, We End Polio”. It highlights the need for coordinated effort from governments, health care professionals, international bodies, donors and local communities.

The key focuses of this campaign includes the,

• Ensuring that each child gets their recommended dose of the polio vaccine.
• Ensuring robust surveillance for the detection of poliovirus infection.
• Ensuring access to vaccines for children in hard-to-reach communities.
• Combating misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
• Ensuring financial and political commitment towards eradication of the disease.

World Polio Day is observed every year on 24 October, which is the birthday of Jonas Salk, who headed the team that invented the first injectable polio vaccine. The day was started by Rotary International.

Worldwide Polio Status in 2026

The world’s polio eradication program has managed to contain the transmission of wild polioviruses to limited regions only, although polio has not yet been eradicated globally.

At present, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries with the endemic WPV1. The World Health Organization’s assessment as of August 2026 indicates that the ongoing transmission in both these countries, with the need for the high quality vaccination programs and surveillance being emphasized.

Other issues include circulation of the vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). Low vaccination rates in certain communities may cause these attenuated viruses, which are used in oral polio vaccines, to persist and mutate genetically until an outbreak occurs.

Polio Eradication from India

The last case of wild polio virus in India occurred on 13 January 2011. The South-East Asia region of the World Health Organization was declared as having stopped transmission of wild polio virus on 27 March 2014 as the conditions were fulfilled. This included India also.

The success of the country in achieving this target came from years of vigorous vaccination drives and surveillance, and community engagement. The Pulse Polio campaign, routine immunization programme, and National Immunization Days have all made significant contributions towards this.

India continues to engage in immunization activities despite the stopping of polio because there is a chance of its re-emergence through international spread of the virus. Therefore, it becomes important to continue the efforts of immunization despite the eradication of wild poliovirus.

UN Day is celebrated each year on 24 October in recognition of the date on which the UN Charter came into effect in 1945. This year, it is the 81st anniversary of the organisation, marking over eight decades of collaboration across the world on issues related to peace and security, human rights, development, and humanitarian aid. The organisation was formed after the Second World War and offers a forum to nations to collaborate on common problems through diplomacy and multilateralism.

Why Does the United Nations Celebrate United Nations Day on 24 October?

The United Nations is an intergovernmental organisation created in the aftermath of the Second World War, where many countries were left destroyed and where a previous arrangement for collective security proved to be insufficient.

The charter of the United Nations was signed by representatives of 50 countries on 26 June 1945 at the United Nations Conference on International Organisation held in San Francisco, United States. Poland became the 51st signatory of the Charter at a later date. The Charter came into effect on 24 October 1945, having been ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council and a majority of other signatories.

United Nations Day has been celebrated annually since 1948 and was officially established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947.

What is the United Nations?

The United Nations is an international organisation that was founded with the purpose of promoting international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, promoting human rights and coordinating actions on issues of economics, social problems, humanitarian problems and the environment.

The founding charter of the UN is the UN Charter, which defines the main purposes, principles and organisational structure of the organisation and the obligations of the member countries. The Charter recognises the sovereignty of the states and bans any threats or use of force against the territory or political independence of a state, but subject to the Charter’s provisions.

The United Nations is the organisation where the diplomatic negotiations take place, humanitarian assistance is coordinated and global problems are addressed. Nevertheless, it cannot be considered as a world government because its power and efficiency are determined by its Charter and other factors.

Objectives of the United Nations

1. Maintenance of the international peace and security

Maintaining peace and addressing the any kind of threats to the international peace and security is one of the main UN objectives. It mediates diplomatically and implements peacekeeping missions when necessary. The UN also provides means of settling international disputes.

2. Promotion of human rights

Equality, dignity, and human rights are promoted through the United Nations. An important achievement in this area was the approval of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948.

3. Assistance in sustainable development

The UN works towards solving issues such as poverty, hunger, inequality, healthcare, education, and environmental problems. On 25 September 2015, member states approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development containing 17 SDGs.

4. Provision of humanitarian aid

Various UN agencies and partner organisations help people suffering from armed conflicts, natural disasters, displacement, food insecurity and health crises. They provide emergency aid, food aid, refugee protection, health care, and help to children.

5. International cooperation

Issues of climate change, pandemics, forced migrations, and international crimes necessitate international cooperation. The UN provides a forum for information exchange, negotiations, treaties and other actions.

Six Principal Organs of the United Nations

The UN Charter establishes the total six principal organs and each organ holds a distinct role in international cooperation and governance.

Principal organ	Major function
General Assembly	Provides a forum for all member states to discuss international issues and make recommendations
Security Council	Has primary responsibility for international peace and security
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)	Coordinates work on economic, social and related development issues
International Court of Justice (ICJ)	Settles legal disputes between states within its jurisdiction and provides advisory opinions
Secretariat	Conducts the organisation’s day-to-day administrative and operational work
Trusteeship Council	Supervised trust territories; suspended regular operations in 1994 after completing its mission

The General Assembly includes all 193 UN member states. The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members and 10 elected members serving two-year terms.

The permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. They hold veto power over substantive resolutions.

India and the United Nations

India is one of the 51 founding member states of the United Nations. India has been active in participating in various international dialogues involving decolonisation, disarmament, development, peacekeeping, and international governance.

India has also provided its own personnel in United Nations peacekeeping operations. In addition, it advocates for reform in the United Nations Security Council since it views the current arrangement in the Council as not representing the new world order adequately, especially in terms of the developing countries and other continents such as Africa.

India has engaged the United Nations in matters of sustainable development, climate change, health, counter-terrorism, and international peace and security.