The Universal Postal Union (UPU), an international organization under the United Nations, holds the distinction of being the second oldest international organization in the world. This article aims to provide comprehensive insights about the UPU, its functions, and India’s affiliation with the organization, all of which are relevant topics for the IAS exam.

The study of international organizations and their operations is a vital part of the International Relations section of the General Studies paper-2 in the UPSC Syllabus.

This article is designed to be a useful resource for those preparing for the UPSC 2021 examination.

Unveiling the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

The UPU was established in 1874 as a result of the Treaty of Bern. Its primary role is to coordinate postal policies amongst its member nations and maintain the global postal service. In 1948, following the establishment of the United Nations, the UPU became one of its specialized agencies. Besides this, it also manages the Telematics and Express Mail Service (EMS) cooperatives. Every member nation agrees to the same terms for conducting international postal duties.

Role and Functions of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

The UPU serves as a regulatory body that oversees the exchange of postal services between countries. Its main functions include:

• Establishing rules for international mail exchange and determining the rates for international postal services.
• Ensuring a universally accessible network of modern products and services.
• Providing recommendations for the growth of mail, parcel, and financial services to improve customer service quality.

Recent News and Developments Involving the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

The UPU has recently been in the news due to various key developments and events. Some of these include the Union Cabinet’s approval for the ratification of the Tenth Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the UPU and Pakistan's unilateral decision to stop the exchange of postal mails with India without any prior notice.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) and Its Relationship with India

The approval of the Tenth Additional Protocol has allowed the Postal Administration of India to have an Instrument of Ratification, which is signed by the Director-General of the International Bureau of UPU. This will also enable the Department of Posts to implement the provisions of the UPU Convention in India.

Related Links

International Organizations and their Reports National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH) National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) Green India Mission (GIM) International Organizations and their Headquarters