New Delhi: The Ministry of Communications has announced that speed post will become the country’s primary accountable mail service from October 1, with registration available only as an add-on facility. The Department of Posts has issued a notification introducing the change along with revised tariffs.

Under the new framework, speed post letters and parcels will be the standard mode for delivering accountable items, including legal documents and statutory communications, to specific addresses. Registration will continue but only as a supplementary option to speed post.

The revised tariff structure has been finalised across distance slabs. For intra-city deliveries, the rate will be Rs 20 for the first 50 gram and Rs 2 for every additional 50 gram. For deliveries up to 200 km, the rate will be Rs 30 for the first 50 gram and Rs 3 for every additional 50 gram. For 201–1,000 km, the rate will be Rs 50 for the first 50 gram and Rs 4 for every additional 50 gram. For above 1,000 km, the rate will be Rs 60 for the first 50 gram and Rs 6 for every additional 50 gram. Parcels above 5 kg will be charged on a slab basis with proportionate rates for each additional 500 gram.

“This step will streamline accountable mail delivery, reduce overlaps in services, and align India Post with international best practices,” a senior Communications Ministry official said.

The revised system and tariff notification have been circulated to ministries, state governments, constitutional authorities and statutory bodies, including the Supreme Court Registry.

BI Bureau