On 5th March 1979, India Post issued two commemorative stamps to mark the International Year of the Child (IYC). That year, India adopted the slogan “Happy Child – Nation’s Pride” and focused its efforts on reaching children through various welfare and development programmes.

The UN General Assembly had declared 1979 as the International Year of the Child in 1976, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and to renew global commitment to children’s well-being. India was the first country to contribute to the UN Children’s Fund for the IYC, donating USD 100,000. Later, India ratified the UNCRC on 11th December 1992.