As India Post phases out the traditional Registered Post service, it is doubling down on modernizing its infrastructure. The Department of Posts is integrating digital payments, expanding tracking features, and upgrading IT systems to enhance service delivery and meet contemporary expectations.
Speed Post to Replace Registered Post
India Post has officially begun merging Registered Post with Speed Post, signaling a significant move toward efficiency and modernization. The decision is backed by efforts to enhance logistics, upgrade post office IT systems, and adopt digital payment mechanisms.
Digital Payments Now Accepted at Booking Counters
A major reform is the integration of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across post offices during the booking of Speed Post. This will ensure no post office can decline digital payments, creating a more consistent and customer-friendly experience.
The “collect mechanism” enables immediate booking once a UPI request is approved, eliminating delays and manual errors.
Real-Time Tracking and APT Rollout
India Post is rolling out its Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system across the country. The APT software supports:
- Real-time track and trace
- Custom services for bulk customers
- Electronic proof of delivery
- OTP-based authentication
- Open API integrations
With over 86,000 post offices already upgraded and more coming online in Mumbai from August 4, the new system is already active in metros like Delhi and Chennai.
APT introduces enhanced tracking, including data on the next post office en route, and promises a faster, smarter customer interface.
Logistics Upgrade: Reserved Flight Cargo Blocks
To speed up mail transmission, India Post is reserving “hard blocks” on domestic passenger flights for mail bags. Tenders for these contracts were issued to airlines on July 17, following a July 9 report by The Hindu.
What’s Next? DIGIPIN & Smart Redirection
Upcoming innovations include:
- DIGIPIN: Allows accurate address mapping using latitude-longitude coordinates.
- Email-like address forwarding system: Enables automatic redirection of letters when recipients change addresses.
