COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS IN INDIA

Source: PIB

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

• Recently, the department of Posts released a set of commemorative postage stamps to celebrate the Paris Olympics.

Details

• Commemorative postage stamps in India are issued to honor significant events, prominent personalities, aspects of nature, environmental issues, national and international concerns, and more.
• These stamps are produced in limited quantities and are available only at Philatelic Bureaux and counters or through the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme​.
• These stamps are released by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications​

Themes and Subjects

Commemorative stamps cover a wide array of themes:

• National Events: Celebrating milestones such as independence anniversaries, landmark constructions, and significant historical events.
• Prominent Personalities: Honoring influential figures in various fields like politics, arts, science, and culture, typically on significant anniversaries of their birth or death.
• Cultural Heritage: Depicting India's rich cultural heritage, including traditional art forms, festivals, and historical monuments.
• Nature and Wildlife: Featuring India's diverse flora and fauna, rare species, and natural landscapes.
• International Issues: Highlighting global concerns such as environmental protection and international cooperation​.
• Sports: For instance, recently, the Department of Posts released a set of commemorative postage stamps to celebrate the Paris Olympics.

Issuance and Availability

• Limited Editions: These stamps are printed in limited quantities, making them unique and collectible.
• Distribution: They are available only at specific philatelic outlets and through subscription services.
• Special Covers: Events or subjects not deemed significant enough for a commemorative stamp might be honored with special covers, which can include special cancellations and are often produced for specific occasions​.

Recent Issues

• India Post releases an annual stamp issue program detailing the stamps to be issued in the coming year.
• For example, the 2024 issue calendar includes stamps commemorating the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, the 100th birth anniversary of Karpoori Thakur, and the 150th birth anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad, among others​​.

Rules for Issuing Commemorative Postage Stamps

Proposal Submission

• Eligibility: Any citizen of India can propose a commemorative stamp.
• Format: Proposals must be submitted in a specific format available on the India Post website.
• Timeline: Proposals should be submitted at least two years in advance.
• Review Process: The Philatelic Advisory Committee (PAC) or its subcommittees review proposals and make recommendations​​.

Selection Criteria

• Quantity: A maximum of 50 issues (100 stamps) are released annually.
• Personalities: Stamps on personalities should not exceed 10% of the annual issue program. No stamp will be issued on a living personality. The personalities on whom commemorative postage stamp may be issued should be of national or international importance. Exceptions in this regard will however be considered to be made for personality from the field of Art, Culture and Music.
• Anniversaries:
• Stamps on personalities are typically issued on their birth centenary or significant death anniversaries. Stamps can be issued no sooner than ten years after an individual's death.
• For institutions or buildings, they must be at least 100 years old to be considered, and should be of national or international importance​​.
• Stamps shall be issued only on the apex institution/organization, on its 100th /125th /150th anniversary and not on the branches of any institution or organization.

Design and Approval

• Design: The design is determined by the Department of Posts, ensuring it adheres to guidelines and avoids religious symbols.
• Approval: Once approved, the design and issue date cannot be changed.
• Denominations: Stamp denominations align with domestic and international postal tariffs​​.

Mandatory Purchase

• Proponents, especially those from institutions or organizations, must purchase a minimum number of stamps upon approval.
• For instance, institutions must purchase at least 1 lakh stamps, and global institutions must make purchases worth 25 lakh rupees​​.

INDIA POST India Post, known as the Department of Post under the Ministry of Communications, is the most extensive postal network globally, with 154,965 post offices as of March 2017. Initially started by Warren Hastings in 1766 under the East India Company as "Company Mail," it was restructured in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie to improve postal services, introducing uniform postage rates and creating the Director General of Post position. India Post provides a range of services, including mail delivery, money transfers, savings schemes, life insurance through Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI), and retail services like bill collection and form sales. It also acts as an agent for government services such as pension payments and MGNREGS wage disbursement. The postal network is divided into 23 postal circles, each led by a Chief Postmaster General, and further divided into regions, divisions, and subdivisions. Additionally, there is a base circle dedicated to providing services to the Armed Forces. One of the highest post offices in the world is located in Hikkim, Spiti Valley, at 4,400 meters above sea level.

History of Posts in India

Period	Development	Key Highlights
Ancient India	Early postal services were informal, using runners and messengers to carry messages across regions.	Messengers used palm leaf manuscripts for correspondence. The Mauryan Empire had an organized communication system.
Medieval India	Postal services evolved under various dynasties like the Mughals, who established an organized system of runners and horsemen to deliver messages.	Emperor Sher Shah Suri introduced an efficient postal service with dak chowkis (relay posts).
British India	Modern postal system introduced by the British East India Company.	1688: First postal service between Bombay and Surat. 1774: Establishment of the first General Post Office (GPO) in Calcutta. 1854: Introduction of the first postage stamps in Asia.
Post-Independence	India gained independence in 1947, and the Indian postal system continued to develop.	1947: India's first commemorative stamp issued. 1972: First postal code system (PIN) introduced.
Modern Era	Integration of technology and diversification of services.	2008: Launch of e-post service. 2011: Introduction of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).

 Must read articles:

IPPB

Sources:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: Discuss the significance of philately in preserving cultural heritage and promoting national identity in India. How do commemorative postage stamps play a role in this process? Illustrate with examples. (250 words)