Indelible Ink

• Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL), has received its largest ever order from the Election Commission for 26.55 lakh vials of indelible ink worth ₹55 crore.
  • MPVL is an enterprise started by the Mysore Maharajas and has been supplying ink for every election in the country for over six decades.
  • It is the sole manufacturer of indelible ink.
  • MVPL also exports the ink to other nations.
• The country will need 26.55 lakh vials of the marker for upcoming general elections.
• Each 10 mg vial of indelible ink can mark approximately 700 voters, ensuring a free and fair electoral process by preventing duplicate voting.

ABOUT THE INK

• The ink is used under Rule 49K of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 that provides putting an indelible ink mark on the left forefinger of the elector as a safeguard against impersonation.
• It was developed by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi – a constituent laboratory of CSIR – in 1961.
• It was patented by CSIR-National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), New Delhi.
• The NRDC issued the license and know-how to Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL), a Government of Karnataka undertaking, in 1962.
• Working
  • The ink contains silver nitrate that reacts with the chemicals on the skin and nail to leave a semi-permanent mark.
  • The ink dries up on the skin and leaves the black/purple mark in less than one minute and can stay for several weeks.
  • This ink is skin safe and is resistant to water, detergents, soaps and other solvents.

This ensures that a voter cannot easily erase the mark and vote again within a short timeframe.