The Indian Postal Service is more than 150 years old. Indian Post is responsible for making India the largest postal network in the world by offering services starting from the traditional oldest postal services to e-commerce and banking services. For instance, various non-commercial services, MGNREGA wages and old-age pension disbursement, etc., are also offered in the Indian Postal Service.

From mail delivery at the right time to accepting deposits and offering retail services such as form sales, bill collection, etc., all types of services are successfully provided across the country. This article will dive deeper into some interesting facts about the Indian Postal Service.

History of the Indian Postal Service

World Postal Day is celebrated on the 9th of October every year. The only purpose of observing this day is to highlight the functions and the importance of postal services. In the Indian Postal Service history, there are stories of 10 paisa postcards along with the yellow envelope, money orders, soldiers receiving letters from their wives and children, which brought a smile to their faces, and last but not least, telegraphs. We are still fond of all these memories. People decide to work in the Indian Postal Service keeping its history in mind.

What Are Some Interesting Facts About India’s Postal Service?

The Indian Postal Service manages many duties and responsibilities. A few interesting facts about the Indian Postal Service are as follows:

  • The Government of India has decided to digitise 1.5 lakhs of post offices across India, including 1.3 lakhs of post offices in rural areas.
  • One of the earliest and most active members of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) is India. UPU is a specialised agency of the United Nations.
  • People can buy postage stamps offered by the India Post on various e-commerce websites such as Shopclues and Snapdeal, etc.
  • There are more than 33.03 crore customers having savings accounts in the Indian post offices.
  • The outstanding balance under all the saving certificates and schemes in the Indian post offices is more than Rs. 6,19,317.44 crores.

Fun Facts About the India Post Office Department

A few fascinating fun facts regarding India’s post office department are the following:

  • Like India’s other real government bureaus, the Indian postal service does not have a different service that is characterised by itself. All the Indian postal service workings come under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
  • In 1852, postage stamps were used for the first time in the Scinde district by Sir Bartle Frere. Frere was the administrator of the British East India Company.
  • India’s first postal stamp was issued on the 21st of November, 1947 ( after independence). And independent India’s first postal stamp depicted the national flag of India. And Gandhiji was the first person whose picture was depicted in the first free India stamp.
  • All over the world, India’s highest post office is located.
  • In international competition for the most colourful stamps in 1984, Cochin stamps were placed in the second position.
  • All the Postal Index Number’s beginnings with nine are implied for Indian Army Post Offices.

Essential items viewed on the website of the Indian Postal Service (IPoS)

  • Locate post office, find pin code
  • Postal schemes Ads
  • Calculate postage
  • Trace and track
  • Stamps buying
  • Postal life insurance
  • News related to schemes
  • Postal Savings
  • Postal Life Insurance
  • Helpline Number

Basic Grades and Pay Scales of Indian Postal Service (IPoS)

Aspirants wanted to pursue jobs in the Indian postal service (IPos) must appear in the Civil Services examination. And after clearing UPSC and being selected for IPoS, candidates can start their career as Senior Superintendent of Railway Mail Services (SSRM) or Senior Superintendent of Post Office (SSPO). The officers for the IPoS posts are also selected after getting a promotion from the ‘Group B’ officer’s Post. 

In various states, postal service consists of 22 circles and armed forces are the base circle for the postal services. The head in each circle is the Chief Postmaster General. All the offices situated in the base circle are considered as the Army postal Service Deputation.All the circles are divided the regions and this is guided by the Postmaster General.

Conclusion

In the end, we can say that the Indian postal service is doing a very good job and helping the country to succeed in socio-economic and communication development. Today also, the postal service is considered the best in the public sector. In this digital world, where everything is becoming online, still, there are a large group of people who still depend on the postal services.