National Postal Week 2025
National Postal Week 2025: “Postal Services for the People”
By Shri Nath N.B., Postmaster, Chikkamagaluru Division
Every year, India celebrates National Postal Week, a festival dedicated to the hard work, dedication, and service of our postal employees. This year, the celebrations run from October 6 to 10, 2025, across post offices throughout the country, highlighting the vital role of postal services in citizens’ lives.
World Post Day: October 9
National Postal Week coincides with World Post Day on October 9, celebrated globally to commemorate the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874. The theme for 2025 is:
“Post for the People – Accessible Services, Global Reach.”
In India, October 10 is observed as National Postal Day, honoring the country’s extensive and evolving postal network.
A Rich Legacy of Postal Services
Postal services have a long history, dating back thousands of years. From clay tablets in Babylon to organized systems in ancient Egypt, humans have always sought ways to communicate effectively.
In India, postal systems were in place during the reign of kings, with Mysore establishing a structured postal service in 1672 under Maharaja Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar. During British rule, organized post offices emerged in Bengal, Madras, and Calcutta (1764–1766), followed by milestones such as:
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1774: General Post Office, Calcutta
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1786: Madras General Post Office
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1794: Bombay General Post Office
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1850–1876: Introduction of postmasters, Postal Savings, and joining the UPU
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1880s–1935: Expansion of railway mail, insurance services, and postal orders
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1986: Introduction of Speed Post
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2003 onwards: Integration of modern technology for efficient services
Over centuries, postal services in India have grown to become a modern, multifaceted system delivering mail, financial services, insurance, digital banking, and more.
Postal Services Today
India’s postal network now includes:
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1,64,987 post offices nationwide
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15,823 rural post offices and 1,49,164 urban post offices
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5,62,000 postal employees
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Shimla’s post office, established in 1983, stands at 14,567 feet, the highest post office in the world
Even in the remotest areas where other financial services are unavailable, postal offices ensure accessibility to savings, banking, insurance, and mail delivery. Postal services remain a reliable, trusted, and integral part of everyday life for millions of Indians.
Celebrating Service to the People
National Postal Week is a tribute to the commitment of postal employees who serve citizens with dedication and integrity. From delivering letters to providing banking, insurance, and digital services, the postal system is a lifeline connecting people, communities, and the nation.
This week, the Indian Postal Department reaffirms its pledge to provide efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused services, making postal services not just a facility but a trusted companion in daily life.
Let us celebrate the spirit of postal service – connecting hearts, empowering citizens, and serving the nation.
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