Context: The Indian Army commemorated the 76th International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers.

International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers

• Origins: UN Peacekeeping began in 1948 when the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East.
• Theme 2024: "Fit for the Future: Building Better Together."
• International Day of UN (United Nations) Peacekeepers: 29th May every year. This is the day when in 1948 the first UN Peacekeeping Mission, “UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)” began operations in Palestine.
• Mission: It helps countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.
• Deployment and Integration: It deploys troops and police from around the world, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers to address a range of mandates set by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the General Assembly.
• Also called: Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets
• Contributed by: Member states on a voluntary basis.
• India’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping

o India has been among the largest troop-contributing countries to the UN peacekeeping missions.

o Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to impart niche training in peacekeeping operations. This Centre trains more than 12,000 troops every year.

o Female peacekeeping forces from India:  India has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in Democratic Republic of Congo and Abyei (the second-largest Indian women contingent after Liberia). India has also deployed women military police in Golan Heights and women Staff Officers/ Military Observers in various missions.

o Major Radhika Sen has been selected to be awarded with “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” by the UN Headquarters, which is a testament to the positive contribution of the Indian Women in the UN peacekeeping initiatives.