View source for India Post

{{Short description|Statutory Body  of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name            = India Post
| type            = [[Government of India|Department]]
| logo            = India Post.svg
| logo_size       = 250px
| logo_caption    = Official logo of India Post
| formed          = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1854|10|01}}<ref>{{cite web |title=GPO: awaiting restoration |url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/29/stories/2003012900300300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030508233650/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/29/stories/2003012900300300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2003 |website=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Postal Network and System |url=https://archive.india.gov.in/sectors/communication/index.php?id=3 |website=india.gov.in |access-date=5 April 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| jurisdiction    = [[ Government of India]]
| headquarters    = Dak Bhawan, [[Sansad Marg]], [[New Delhi]]
| coordinates     = <!-- {{coord|LATITUDE|LONGITUDE|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}} -->
| employees       = 417,114 (2024)<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2022-23|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AR%202023-24_Eng%20of%20DoP.pdf|website=India Post |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref>
| budget          = {{INRConvert|25378.47|c}} (2024–25)<ref>{{cite web |title=Union Budget (2024-25) - Department of Posts |url=https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe12.pdf |website= Union Budget - Ministry of Finance |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref>
| minister1_name  = [[Jyotiraditya Scindia]]
| minister2_name  = [[Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani]]
| minister1_pfo   = {{small|([[Ministry of Communications (India)|Minister of Communications]])}}
| minister2_pfo   = {{small|([[Ministry of Communications (India)|Minister of State for Communications]])}}
| chief1_name     = Ms. Vandita Kaul, [[Indian Postal Service|IPoS]]
| chief1_position = Secretary, Department of Posts
| chief2_name     = Shri Jitendra Gupta, [[Indian Postal Service|IPoS]]
| chief2_position = Director General of Postal Services<ref>{{cite web |title=Organization Overview |url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/AboutUs/Organisation.aspx#overview |website=India Post |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref>
| parent_agency   = [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Ministry of Communications]], [[Government of India]]
| child1_agency   = [[India Post Payments Bank]]
| keydocument1    = [https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_RTI/TheIndianPostOfficeAct1898.pdf The Indian Post Office Act, 1898]
| keydocument2    = [https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/20064/1/a2023-43.pdf The Post Office Act, 2023]
| website         = {{URL|https://www.indiapost.gov.in/}}
}}
The '''Department of Posts''', [[d/b/a]] '''India Post''', is an Indian [[Public Sector Undertakings in India|public sector]] [[postal system]] statutory body headquartered in [[New Delhi]], [[India]]. It is an organisation under the [[Ministry of Communications (India)|Ministry of Communications]]. It is the most widely distributed postal system in the world, and [[India]] is the country that has the largest number of [[Post office|post offices]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://brainly.in/question/6195980|title=INDIA is the country that has the largest number of post offices in the world|publisher=Brainly|access-date=15 October 2018}}</ref> It is involved in [[Mail|delivering mail (post)]], [[Postal order|remitting money by money orders]], accepting deposits under Small Savings Schemes, providing life insurance coverage under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and providing retail services like bill collection, sale of forms, etc.

Apart from delivering services to general public and corporates, India Post is also proud custodian of a rich heritage of postal buildings that echo the historical evolution and architectural grandeur of bygone eras. India Post has  declared [[Heritage buildings of Department of Posts|44 heritage buildings]] so far.

[[Warren Hastings]] had taken initiative under East India Company to start the Postal Service in the country in 1766. It was initially established under the name "Company Mail". It was later modified into a service under the [[The Crown|Crown]] in 1854 by [[Lord Dalhousie]]. Dalhousie introduced uniform postage rates ([[universal service]]) and helped to pass the India Post Office Act 1854 which significantly improved upon 1837 Post Office act which had introduced regular post offices in India.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/135431/9/09_chapter%204.pdf | title=Chapter - IV Administration of the Post Office | publisher=Shodhganga | access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> It created the position Director General of Post for the whole country.<ref name="Dal1">{{cite journal | title=Dalhousie and the Reform of the Postal System |first1=M. N. |last1=Das |first2=M. M. |last2=Das | journal=Indian History Congress | year=1958 | volume=21 | issue=21 | pages=488–495|jstor = 44145245}}</ref><ref name="Alka2018">{{cite book| author=Grover B.L. & Mehta Alka|title=A New Look at Modern Indian History (From 1707 to The Modern Times), 32e|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bkRxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA163|year=2018|publisher=S. Chand Publishing|isbn=978-93-5253-434-0|pages=163–}}</ref> The DoP also acts as an agent for the Indian government in discharging other services for citizens such as old age pension payments and [[National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005|Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme]] (MGNREGS) wage disbursement. With 164,972 post offices (as of March 2024), India Post is the widest postal network in the world.

The country has been divided into 23 postal circles, each circle headed by a [[Postmaster|Chief Postmaster General]]. Each circle is divided into regions, headed by a Postmaster General and comprising field units known as Divisions. These divisions are further divided into subdivisions. In addition to the 23 circles, there is a base circle to provide postal services to the [[Indian Armed Forces|Armed Forces of India]] headed by a Director General. One of the highest post offices in the world is in [[Hikkim]], At 4,400m above sea level in northern India's remote Spiti Valley, the Hikkim post office is a vital connection to the outside world.<ref>{{cite web |title=The world’s highest post office |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180606-the-worlds-highest-post-office |website=BBC |access-date=25 April 2023}}</ref>

==History==
{{Multiple image|direction=vertical|image1=Indian postal service. Educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.jpg|caption1=Indian postal service Educational card, late 19th or early 20th century|image2=Red Scinde Dawk stamp.jpg|caption2=1850s [[Scinde Dawk]] stamp|image3=Mango Orange post office.jpg|caption3=A modern Indian post office near [[Udagamandalam]]}}
{{main|Postage stamps and postal history of India|Postage stamps and postal history of the Indian states}}

===Posts and the British Raj (1858–1947)===
The [[British Raj]] was instituted in 1858, when the [[company rule in India|rule]] of the [[East India Company]] was transferred to the Crown.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaul|first=Chandrika|title=From Empire to Independence: The British Raj in India 1858–1947|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/independence1947_01.shtml|publisher=BBC|access-date=3 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20170821-indian-postal-services-icons-modern-india-independence-day-1028886-2017-08-11|title=India Post: In letter and spirit|date=2017-08-11|website=India Today|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-02}}</ref>

[[File:British-era letter box in Shimla, India.jpg|thumb|[[British Raj|British-era]] letter box in [[Shimla]], India.]]

A number of acts were enacted during the [[British Raj]] to expand and regulate posts and telegraphs service:
*The Government Savings Bank Act, 1873 (5 of 1873), passed by the legislature 28 January 1873, was enacted in 1881. On 1 April 1882, Post Office Savings Banks opened throughout India (except in the [[Bombay Presidency]]). In [[Madras Presidency]], it was limited; in the [[Bengal Presidency]], no POSBs were established in Calcutta or Howrah.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Government Savings Banks Act, 187 (5 of 1873) |url=https://dea.gov.in/sites/default/files/POSB_ACT_0.pdf |website=dea.gov.in |publisher=Government of India |access-date=24 April 2020 |date=28 January 1873}}</ref>
*Postal life insurance began on 1 February 1884 as a welfare measure for the employees of the Posts & Telegraphs Department as Government of India dispatch No. 299 dated 18 October 1882 to the [[Secretary of State for India|Secretary of State]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jivan |first1=Banik |title=Post Office Schemes and Services |url=https://revexpo.com/review/post-office-schemes-and-services/#Postal_Life_Insurance_PLI |work=Rev Expo |date=25 August 2018}}</ref>
*The [[Indian Telegraph Act, 1885]]
*The Indian Post Office Act, 1898,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2329/1/A1898-06.pdf|title=Wayback Machine|website=indiacode.nic.in}}</ref> passed by the legislature on 22 March 1898, became effective on 1 July 1898 regulating postal service. It was preceded by Act III of 1882 and Act XVI of 1896.
*The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2396/1/A1933-17.pdf|title=Wayback Machine|website=indiacode.nic.in}}</ref>

The world's first official airmail flight took place in India on 18 February 1911, a journey of {{convert|18|km}} lasting 27 minutes. [[Henri Pequet]], a French pilot, carried about {{convert|15|kg}} of mail (approximately 6,000 letters and cards) across the [[Ganges]] from [[Allahabad]] to [[Naini]]; included in the airmail was a letter to King [[George V of the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/india60/2007/sep/20fact.htm|work=[[Rediff]]|title=The world's highest post office!|access-date=24 April 2011}}</ref> India Post inaugurated a floating post office in August 2011 at Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-the-floods-Srinagar-faces-threat-of-epidemics/articleshow/42857485.cms|title=Srinagar gets floating post office|date=2 August 2011|access-date=7 June 2012}}</ref> [[Communications in India|Telegraphy and telephony]] made their appearance as part of the postal service before becoming separate departments. One unique [[Telegraphy|telegraph]] office was established and operated in the capital of [[Lhasa]] until the People's Republic of China's [[Annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China|annexation of Tibet]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/1941-telegrams-from-lhasa|title=1941 Telegrams Sent from Lhasa to Kathmandu|date=1941|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/1942-telegrams-from-lhasa|title=1942 Telegrams Sent from Lhasa to Kathmandu|date=1942|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/1943-telegrams-from-lhasa|title=1943 Telegrams Sent from Lhasa to Kathmandu|date=1943|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/telegramstonepal194243|title=Karuna Ratna Tuladhar Telegrams from Lhasa to Kathmandu 1942-43|date=1942}}</ref> The Posts and Telegraphs departments merged in 1914, later separated again on 1 January 1985.

===After independence in 1947===
Since [[Indian independence movement|India became independent]] in 1947, the postal service continues to function on a nationwide basis, providing a variety of services. The structure of the organization has the directorate at its apex; below it are circle offices, regional offices, the superintendent's offices, head post offices, sub-post offices and branch offices. In April 1959, the Indian Postal Department adopted the motto "Service before help"; it revised its logo in September 2008.<ref name="indiapost.gov.in">{{Cite report|url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Report/Annual_Report_2008-2009.pdf|title=Annual Report 2009-09|work=India Post|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-date=25 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425200104/http://indiapost.gov.in/Report/Annual_Report_2008-2009.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Yogayog Bhawan 1.jpg|thumb|Yogayog Bhawan (head office of the West Bengal wing of India Post), at Chittaranjan Avenue, [[Bowbazar]], [[Kolkata]].]]
The number of post offices was 23,344 when India became independent in 1947 and these were primarily in urban areas. The number increased to 165,000 {{As of|2016|alt=in}} 2025 and 90% of these were in rural areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/AboutUs/PostOfficeNetwork.aspx |work=India Post|title=Post Office Network}}</ref>

==Postage-stamp history==
{{See also|List of miniature sheets from India Post}}

===First adhesive stamps in Asia===
{{multiple image
|direction=horizontal
|image1=Stamps issued on 01-10-1854 in India( All the stamps of four value issued in clarge form).jpg
|caption1=First all-India stamps
|image2=1866 Bombay to London 28 days.jpg
|caption2=Six-anna [[provisional stamp]], 1866
}}

The first adhesive [[postage stamp]]s in Asia were issued in the Indian district of [[Scinde]] in July 1852 by [[Bartle Frere]], chief commissioner of the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/mjshah.geo/scinde/scinde.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027143019/http://www.geocities.com/mjshah.geo/scinde/scinde.html|title=Scinde District Dawks|archive-date=27 October 2009}}</ref> Frere was an admirer of [[Rowland Hill (postal reformer)|Rowland Hill]], the English postal reformer who had introduced the [[Penny Post]]. The Scinde stamps became known as "[[Scinde Dawk]]s"; "Dawk" is the Anglicised spelling of the [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] word ''Dak'' or ("post"). These stamps, with a value of {{1/2}}-anna, were in use until June 1866. The first all-India stamps were issued on 1 October 1854.

===Stamps issued by the East India Company===
{{Multiple image
|direction=vertical
|image1=Money Order-Front.jpg
|caption1=1955 money order (front)
|image2=Money Order-Back 01.jpg
|caption2=1955 money order (back)}}
The volume of mail moved by the postal system increased significantly, doubling between 1854 and 1866 and doubling again by 1871. The Indian Post Office Act, 1866 (XIV) introduced reforms by 1 May 1866 to correct some of the more obvious postal-system deficiencies and abuses. Postal-service efficiencies were also introduced. In 1863, lower rates were set for [[steamship|"steamer"]] mail to Europe at (six annas, eight pies for a {{1/2}}-ounce letter). Lower rates were also introduced for inland mail.

New regulations removed special postal privileges enjoyed by officials of the East India Company. Stamps for official use were prepared and carefully accounted for, to combat abuses by officials. In 1854 Spain had printed special stamps for official communications, but in 1866 India was the first country to adopt the expedient of [[overprint]]ing "Service" on postage stamps and "Service Postage" on revenue stamps. This innovation was later widely adopted by other countries.<ref name="Alan C. Campbell 1996">{{cite journal |first=Alan C. |last=Campbell |title=The Design Evolution of the United States Official Stamps |journal=U.S. Philatelic Classics Society Chronicle |volume=47 |number=4 |page=268 |date=November 1995 |url=http://chronicle.uspcs.org/pdf/Chronicle_168/6204.pdf}}</ref>

Shortages developed, so stamps also had to be improvised. Some "Service Postage" overprinted rarities resulted from abrupt changes in postal regulations. New designs for the four-anna and six-anna-eight-[[Indian pie|pie]] stamps were issued in 1866. Nevertheless, there was a shortage of stamps to meet the new rates. Provisional six-anna stamps were improvised by cutting the top and bottom from a current foreign-bill [[revenue stamp]] and overprinting "Postage". India was the first country in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] to issue airmail stamps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/provisional_20040621/refreshercourse.asp |publisher=Linns.com |title=Refresher Course |access-date=14 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625081608/http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/provisional_20040621/refreshercourse.asp |archive-date=25 June 2008 }}</ref>

===Post-independence stamps===
[[File:Satrunjaya 1949.jpg|thumb|Brown-and-pink stamp depicting a temple]]

India attained independence on 15 August 1947. Thereafter, the Indian Posts and Telegraph Department embarked on a broad-based policy for the issuance of stamps. On 21 November 1947 the first new stamp was issued by independent India. It depicts the [[Indian flag]] with the patriots' slogan, ''[[Jai Hind]]'' ("long live India"), at the top right-hand corner. The stamp was valued at three and one-half [[Indian anna|annas]]. A memorial to [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was issued 15 August 1948 on the first anniversary of independence. One year later a [[definitive series]] appeared, depicting India's broad cultural heritage (primarily [[Hindu]], [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Muslim]], [[Sikh]] and [[Jainism|Jain]] temples, sculptures, monuments and fortresses). A subsequent issue commemorated the beginning of the [[Republic of India]] on 26 January 1950. Definitives included a technology-and-development theme in 1955, a series depicting a map of India in 1957 (denominated in ''[[Paisa|naya paisa]]''—decimal currency) and a 1965 series with a wide variety of images. The old inscription "India Postage" was replaced in 1962 with ''"भारत INDIA"'', although three stamps (issued from December 1962 to January 1963) carried the earlier inscription.<ref>Saksena, V. ''ibid.,'' p. 84.</ref>

India has printed stamps and postal stationery for other countries, mostly neighbours. Countries which have had stamps printed in India include [[Myanmar|Burma]] (before independence), [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Bhutan]], [[Portugal]] and [[Ethiopia]].<ref name="ISP">Saksena, V. (1989), pp. 86–8.</ref> The country has issued definitive and commemorative stamps. Six definitive series on India's heritage and progress in a number of fields have been issued. The seventh series, with a theme of science and technology, began in 1986. Between independence and 1983, 770 stamps were issued.

==Losses==
[[File:A still of illuminated Dak Bhavan (the Head Quarters of Department of Posts) at Parliament Street, during the celebrations marking the entry of Department of Posts into 150 years of service to the nation (on 1st October, 2004).jpg|thumb|A still of illuminated Dak Bhavan (the Headquarters of Department of Posts) at Parliament Street, during the celebrations marking the entry of Department of Posts into 150 years of service to the nation (on 1 October 2004)]]
The postal department has always been the biggest loss-making entity in India, surpassing others like the [[Air India]] and [[BSNL]], with an annual loss to the exchequer to the tune of ₹15,000 crore in the fiscal year 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/psu/story/india-post-losses-touch-rs-15000-crore-in-fy19-replaces-air-india-bsnl-as-biggest-loss-making-psu-187294-2019-04-15|title=India Post losses touch Rs 15,000 crore in FY19; replaces Air India, BSNL as biggest loss-making PSU|website=Business Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/bad-news-india-post-is-now-top-loss-maker-psu-pips-bsnl-air-india/1548104/|title=Bad news! India Post is now top loss-maker PSU, pips BSNL & Air India|date=15 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/india-post-is-now-biggest-loss-making-psu-3828631.html|title=India Post Now Biggest Loss-making PSU, Loses Rs 15,000 Crore In FY19|website=Moneycontrol}}</ref> and amounting to ₹15,541 crore in the calendar year 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AnnualReportEng2020-21.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 August 2021 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511133840/https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AnnualReportEng2020-21.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The following table shows losses incurred by the postal department over the years.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103959 | title=Revenue of Postal Department | publisher=PIB | date=19 February 2014 | access-date=21 February 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Net expenditure (in crores) !!  Revenue (in crores) !! Loss (in crores)
|-
| 2010–11 || ₹13,075.0 || ₹6,962.3 ||₹6,113
|-
| 2011–12 || ₹12,075.3 || ₹7,899.4 ||₹4,175.9
|-
| 2012–13 || ₹14,676.4 || ₹9,366.498 ||₹5,309.9
|-
| 2013–14 || ₹16,203.52 || ₹10,730.42 || ₹5,473.10
|-
| 2014–15 || ₹17,894.58 || ₹11,635.98 || ₹6,258.60
|-
| 2015–16 || ₹18,946.97 || ₹12,939.79 || ₹6.007.18
|-
| 2016-17<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/Post_AR_English_2017-18.pdf |title=Annual Report 2017-2018  |publisher=India Post |format=PDF |access-date=2022-08-27}}</ref> || ₹23,480.95 || ₹11,511.00 || ₹11,969.95
|-
| 2017-18<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/Summaryactivities2018.pdf |title=Summary of activities 2018 |publisher=India Post |format=PDF}}</ref> || ₹27,977.60 || ₹13,084.76 || ₹14,892.84
|-
| 2018-19<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AnnualReportEng2019_20.pdf |title=Annual Report 2019-2020  |publisher=India Post |format=PDF |access-date=2022-08-27}}</ref> || ₹27,129.08 || ₹13,482.56 || ₹13,646.52
|-
| 2019-20<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AnnualReportEng2020-21.pdf |title=Annual Report 2020-2021  |publisher=India Post |format=PDF |access-date=2022-08-27}}</ref> || ₹28,371.34 || ₹13,558.2 || ₹14,813.14
|-
| 2020-21<ref name="indiapost2">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AnnualReportEng2021_22.pdf |title=Annual Report 2021-2022  |publisher=India Post |format=PDF |access-date=2022-08-27}}</ref> || ₹28,327.59 || ₹10,632.50 || ₹17,695.09
|-
| 2021-22<ref name="indiapost2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/annual_report_2023_english.pdf |title=Annual Report 2022-2023  |publisher=India Post |format=PDF }}</ref> || ₹29,721.43 || ₹10,860.80 ||₹18,860.63
|-
|2022-2023<ref name="indiapost2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/DOP_PDFFiles/AR%202023-24_Eng%20of%20DoP.pdf |title=Annual Report 2022-2023  |publisher=India Post |format=PDF }}</ref>|| ₹31456.33|| ₹10,917.89|| ₹20538.44
|-
|2023-2024 || ₹35680.91|| ₹11321.22|| ₹23103.56
|}

==PIN==
{{main|Postal Index Number}}
[[File:Post Box of India.jpg|thumb|150px|A Post Box of India Post]]
[[File:India Post Payments Bank 2017 stamp.jpg|thumb|150px|A special stamp released on [[India Post Payments Bank]] in 2017.]]
The [[Postal Index Number]] (PIN, or sometimes [[RAS syndrome|redundantly]] PIN code) is a six-digit [[postal code]]. The PIN system was made by Shriram Bhikaji Velankar when he was at service in Kolkata. It was introduced on 15 August 1972 by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. There are nine postal zones in the country; the first eight are geographical regions, and the ninth is reserved for the [[Army Postal Service (India)|Army Postal Service]] (APS905898).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-pin-code |title=What is a PIN code? |website=business-standard.com |publisher=Business Standard |access-date= 11 July 2022 |quote=There are nine postal zones in India, including eight geographical region zones and one for the Indian Army. }}</ref>

The PIN system is organised in the following way:

* The first digit indicates the zone. 
* The first two digits indicate the sub-zone (or postal circle). 
* The first three digits indicate a sorting district. 
* The first four digits indicate a service route.
* The last two digits indicate the delivery post office.

The PIN for an address may be found on the Postal Service website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/pin/pinsearch.aspx |title=Welcome to the Indiapost Website |publisher=Indiapost.gov.in |access-date=4 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520133707/http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Pin/pinsearch.aspx |archive-date=20 May 2012}}</ref> There are total of 19,101 PINs covering 154,725 post offices in India, with the exception of the Army Postal Service, {{As of|2014|alt=as of}} 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://infoknown.com/pincode/blogroll/6/Do-you-know-the-total-number-of-PIN-Codes-in-INDIA|title=Do you know the total number of PIN Codes in INDIA ?|publisher=infoknown.com|access-date=27 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527213438/http://infoknown.com/pincode/blogroll/6/Do-you-know-the-total-number-of-PIN-Codes-in-INDIA|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://infoknown.com/pincode/blogroll/19/Do-you-know-the-total-number-of-POST-Offices-in-INDIA|title=Do you know the total number of POST Offices in INDIA?|publisher=infoknown.com|access-date=27 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527213437/http://infoknown.com/pincode/blogroll/19/Do-you-know-the-total-number-of-POST-Offices-in-INDIA|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Digital Address Code==
Indian post proposed a 10 digit unique identification number to each and every address in India based on geo coordinates called [[Digital Postal Index Number|DIGIPIN]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sampath|first=G.|date=2021-12-12|title=Digital Address Code: What is it and why do we need it? {{!}} In Focus podcast|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/podcast/digital-address-code-what-is-it-and-why-do-we-need-it-in-focus-podcast/article37938460.ece|access-date=2022-01-20|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Digital Address Code (DAC) will be assigned to all types of addresses in the country ranging from independent houses, individual building, every flat in the given apartment, every shop in a commercial building and every individual unit in an office complex.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Modi Govt plan: Soon, you may use an Aadhaar-like code as address for eKYC, property tax, online shopping!|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/money/modi-govt-plan-soon-you-may-use-an-aadhaar-like-code-as-address-for-ekyc-property-tax-online-shopping/2359647/|access-date=2022-01-15|website=The Financial Express|language=en}}</ref> Draft approach paper on Digital Address Code was issued by Indian Post for public comments.<ref name="GeoCodeLtr">{{cite web |last1=Kumar Roy DDG |first1=Ajay |title=Suggestion/Feedback on Draft Approach Paper for creating a Digital Address Code |url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/News/IP_Apd_18oct21_c.pdf |website=India Post |publisher=Gov. of India, Min. of Comm., Dept. of Posts |access-date=8 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222080242/https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/News/IP_Apd_18oct21_c.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2022 |language=en |date=18 October 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Here you can find links of third party app to get DIGIPIN Android: [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digipin Find Digipin] iOS: [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-digipin/id6746933850 Find Digipin]

==Project Arrow==
Project Arrow was launched in April 2008.<ref name="indiapost.gov.in"/> The project plans to upgrade post offices in urban and rural areas, improving service and appearance into a vibrant and responsive organization and to make a visible and positive difference. The project aims to create an effective, friendly environment for staff and customers, providing secure IT services and improving mail delivery, remittances (electronic and manual) and postal-savings plans. Core areas for improvement are branding, information technology, human resources and infrastructure. The project to improve service has been implemented in more than 23,500 post offices, and 'look and feel' improvements have been made in 2,940 post offices. The Department of Posts received the [https://pmawards.gov.in/ Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration] during 2008–09 for "Project Arrow – Transforming India Post" on 21 April 2010.<ref name="indiapost1 Annual_Report_2011-2012">{{cite report|url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Report/Annual_Report_2011-2012.pdf|title=Annual Report 2011-12|work=India Post|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034826/http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Report/Annual_Report_2011-2012.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Multipurpose counter machines with computers were introduced in post offices in 1991 to improve customer service and increase staff productivity. 25,000 departmental post offices out of 25,464 were computerized between as of 2011–2012. In 2012, a plan costing {{INRconvert|1877.2|c|lk=on|year=2012}} was formulated to computerize rural post offices.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.punjabkesari.in/punjab/news/12052012|title=Modernization of India Post|work=Punjab Kesari|access-date=7 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515231350/http://www.punjabkesari.in/punjab/news/12052012|archive-date=15 May 2012}}</ref>

==Services==

===Philately===

The first philatelic Society in India was founded in Calcutta on 6 March 1897 to service postage-stamp collections. Function include design, printing and distribution of special or commemorative postage stamps, definitive postage stamps and items of postal stationery, promotion of philately, conduct of philatelic examinations at the national level, participation in international exhibitions and monitoring exhibitions at the state, regional and district levels and maintenance of the National Philatelic Museum. 
Philatelic bureaus were established in head post offices located at circle headquarters and at district-capital head post offices (as necessary). There are 68 philately bureaus and 1111 philatelic counters, including all head post offices (''Mukhya Dak Ghars'') in the country as of 31 March 2011.<ref name="Indiapost annual report">{{cite report|url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Report/Annual_Report_2010-2011.pdf|work=India Post|title=Annual Report 2010-2011|access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref>{{rp|44}} A domestic philatelic deposit-account system was introduced on 1 August 1965 at all philatelic bureaus. Customers are given priority in purchasing [[Commemorative stamp|commemorative]] or special-issue stamps, [[First day of issue|first-day covers]] and information sheets soon after their issue by opening a deposit account at any philatelic bureau. The number of philately deposit-accountholders grew from 23,905 in 1999–2000 to 168,282 in 2006–2007 and 183,202 in 2008–2009. Four philatelic bureaux—the [[Bombay GPO|Bombay]], [[Madras GPO|Madras]], [[Calcutta GPO|Calcutta]] and Parliament Street, New Delhi GPOs are authorized to sell [[United Nations stamps]]. A quarterly philatelic magazine, ''Philapost'', was launched in 2008.

The Department of Post has also developed software for philatelic inventory management, known as "Philsim". It is used for all activities relating to philately, including forecasting, indenting, invoicing, monitoring supply and demand and recording sales and revenue for commemorative stamps and other philatelic products at philately bureaus and counters (and definitive stamps and stationery at circle stamp depots and head post offices).

The [[National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi|National Philatelic Museum]] was inaugurated on 6 July 1968 in New Delhi. It had its beginnings at a meeting of the Philatelic Advisory Committee on 18 September 1962. Besides a large collection of India Postage stamps designed, printed and issued, it has a large collection of Indian states (confederate and feudatory), early essays, proofs and colour trials, a collection of Indian stamps used abroad, early Indian postcards, postal stationery and thematic collections. The museum was renovated in 2009 with more exhibits, a philatelic bureau and postal objects (such as Victorian post boxes). The Department of Posts inaugurated the [[National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi|National Philatelic Museum]] on 11 July 2011. It exhibits rare postage stamps from around the world and provides a venue for philatelists to exhibit their collections.

===Army Postal Service===
{{main|Army Postal Service (India)}}
The Army Postal Service (APS) functions as a government-operated military mail system in India. A primary feature of Army Postal Service systems is that normally they are subsidized to ensure that military mail posted between duty stations abroad and the home country (or vice versa) does not cost the sender any more than normal domestic mail traffic. In some cases, Indian military personnel in a combat zone may post letters and/or packages to the home country for free, while in others, senders located in a specific overseas area may send military mail to another military recipient, also located in the same overseas area, without charge.

===Electronic Indian Postal Order===
The Electronic Indian Postal Order (e-IPO) was introduced on 22 March 2013, initially only for citizens living abroad. The postal orders can be used for [[online payment]] of fees for access to information under the [[Right to Information Act, 2005]]. The service was expanded to include all Indian citizens on 14 February 2014.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103665 | title=RTI Process gets Further Boost with the Introduction of 'e-Indian Postal Order' for all by the Department of Posts | publisher=PIB | date=13 February 2014 | access-date=16 February 2014}}</ref>

===Postal Life insurance===
Postal Life Insurance (PLI) was introduced on 1 February 1884 with the express approval of the Secretary of State (for India) to Her Majesty, the Queen Empress of India. It was essentially a welfare scheme for the [https://www.indiapost.gov.in/Financial/Pages/Content/pli.aspx benefit] of Postal employees in 1884 and later extended to the employees of Telegraph Department in 1888. In 1894, PLI extended insurance cover to female employees of P & T Department at a time when no other insurance company covered female lives. It is the oldest life insurer in this country. There was over 6.4 million policies active as on 31 March 2015 with a sum assured of {{INRconvert|130745|c}}. Premium income of PLI for the year 2014-15 was {{INRconvert|6053.2|c}}. It was extended to all rural residents on 24 March 1995.

Policies for government employees include ''Santhosh'' (endowment assurance), ''Suraksha'' (whole-life assurance), ''Suvidha'' (convertible whole-life assurance), ''Sumangal'' (anticipated endowment policy) and ''Yugal Suraksha'' (joint life endowment assurance).<ref name="postallifeinsurance1">{{cite web|url=http://www.postallifeinsurance.gov.in/ |title=Customer Portal|publisher=Postal Life Insurance|access-date=7 June 2012}}</ref> India Post started Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) for the rural public in 1995. RPLI plans include ''Gram Santosh'' (endowment assurance), ''Gram Suraksha'' (whole-life assurance), ''Gram Suvidha'' (convertible whole-life assurance), ''Gram Sumangal'' (anticipated endowment assurance) and ''Gram Priya''.

===Postal savings===
The post office offers a number of savings plans, including [[recurring deposit]] accounts, [[Sukanya Samriddhi Account]] (SSA) is also known as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana – Transforming India |url=https://transformingindia.mygov.in/scheme/sukanya-samriddhi-yojana/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=transformingindia.mygov.in}}</ref> (SSY), [[National Savings Certificates (India)|National Savings Certificates]] (''NSC''), [[Kisan Vikas Patra]] (KVP), the [[Public Provident Fund (India)|Public Provident Fund]],<ref name="indiapost6">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Old/POSB_Manual_Vol-III.htm |title=Post Office Savings Bank Manual – Acts and Rules of Savings Schemes |work=India Post|access-date=14 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503233050/http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Old/POSB_Manual_Vol-III.htm|archive-date=3 May 2012 }}</ref> savings-bank accounts,<ref name="indiapost6"/> monthly-income plans,<ref name="indiapost6"/> senior-citizens' savings plans<ref name="indiapost6"/> and time-deposit accounts.<ref name="indiapost6"/>

===Banking===
{{main|India Post Payments Bank}}
In 2013, it was revealed that the Indian postal service had formulated plans to enter the banking industry after [[Reserve Bank of India|RBI]] guidelines for the issuance of new banking licenses were released.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/coming-soon-post-bank-of-india/article4443509.ece |work=The Hindu |title=Coming soon, Post Bank of India |date=23 February 2013|access-date=25 February 2013}}</ref> Eventually they are planning to open a Post Bank of India, an independent banking service.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Post Bank|date=14 August 2013|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=98263|access-date=14 August 2013}}</ref>

As of 29 February 2016, 18,231 post offices are utilizing Core Banking Solutions (CBS).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/Whats%20New/CBSRolloutInformation.pdf |title=CBS Rollout info |work=India Post|date=29 February 2016}}</ref> ATMs are installed at 576 Post Office locations and debit cards issued to Post Office Savings Bank customers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/What%20is%20New/ATMRolloutInformation.pdf |title=ATM Rollout |work=India Post|date=29 February 2016}}</ref> Core Insurance Solution (CIS) for Postal Life Insurance (PLI) is rolled out in 808 head post offices and corresponding 24,000+ sub post offices. In September 2017, it was announced that by 2018 all of the 1.55 lakh post offices, every postman and ''grameen dak sevak'' (postmaster) will accept all payment options that the [[India Post Payments Bank]] (IPPB) plans to provide.

On 1 September 2018, the [[India Post Payments Bank]] was inaugurated by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=All 1.55 lakh post offices to offer payments bank service|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/all-1-55-lakh-post-offices-to-offer-payments-bank-service/articleshow/60501552.cms|access-date=13 September 2017 |work=The Economic Times |location=New Delhi |date=13 September 2017}}</ref>

===Data collection===
A collaboration between the [[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]] (MoSPI) and the Department of Posts has enabled the computation of consumer-price indices for rural areas. These statistics were previously unobtainable, due to problems of remoteness and scale. The agreement authorises the postal service to collect data on prices paid for selected consumer goods. In February 2011, MoSPI published its first [[Consumer Price Index]] (CPI) and All-India Consumer Price Index. The information has since been published monthly, based on data available from 1,181 villages across the country.<ref name="indiapost1 Annual_Report_2011-2012"/>

===E-commerce delivery===
[[File:Indian Postal Service TATA Delivery Van, Pune Maharashtra, July 2013.jpg|thumb|India Post service van delivering mails, Pune, Maharashtra]]
The boom in e-commerce and the surging number of cash-on-delivery consignments has led India Post to partner with major e-commerce portals for delivering pre-paid as well as [[cash on delivery]] (COD) parcels.<ref>{{cite news |title=India Post Sees A Massive 900% Jump in Profit As The {{sic|nolink=y|Prefered}} Partner of E-Commerce Brands |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-post-sees-a-massive-900-jump-in-profit-as-the-prefered-partner-of-e-commerce-brands-249344.html|access-date=13 January 2016|work=The Times of India|date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="tie">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/india-post-rides-e-tail-boom-reaps-big-rewards|title=India Post posts profits on e-commerce boom|date=11 January 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> According to the [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister for Communications and Information Technology]], [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]], revenue of India Post from such deliveries would go up to {{INRConvert|15|b}} in the year 2015–16.<ref name=tie/>

===Other services===
Other services include:
* Post boxes and post bags for mail receipt
* [[Speed Post]]
* Identity cards for proof of residence
* India Post [[Automated teller machine|ATM]]
* RMS ([[Railway Mail Service]])
* [[Post Office Passport Seva Kendra|Post office Passport Seva Kendras]] (POPSK)
* Aadhaar Enrollment and Updation.
* Western Union.
* Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance.
* [[Savings bank|Savings Bank]] (SB/RD/TD/MIS/SCSS/PPF/SSA)
* Savings Cash Certificates.
* [[India Post Payments Bank]] (IPPB).
* Stamp Sales.

== See also ==
* [[List of national postal services#Asia|List of Asian national postal services]]

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
*Headrick, Daniel. "A double-edged sword: Communications and imperial control in British India." ''Historical Social Research/Historische Sozialforschung'' (2010): 51–65. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/20762428 in JSTOR]
* Majumdar, Mohini Lal. ''The imperial post offices of British India, 1837-1914'' (Phila Publications, 1990)
*Rahman, Siddique Mahmudur. "Postal Services During The East India Company's Rule in Bengal." ''Bangladesh Historical Studies'' 19 (2002): 43+

{{Commons category|Post of India}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.indiapost.gov.in}}

{{Ministry of Communications (India)}}
{{Public Services of India}}
{{Civil service}}
{{Postal administrations of Asia}}
{{Government of India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Postal organizations]]
[[Category:Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Postal]]
[[Category:Postal system of India]]
[[Category:Philately of India]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in India]]