India Post to Discontinue Registered Post Service From September 1
India Post has announced it will discontinue its long-standing Registered Post service from September 1, 2025. The service will be merged with Speed Post as part of a strategy to modernise operations and improve efficiency. Registered Post has been a crucial service for official correspondence, legal notices, and job letters, particularly in areas with poor digital connectivity. The decision follows a 25% decline in usage between 2011 and 2020, attributed to the rise of digital communication and private couriers.
Unpacked:
Registered Post prioritizes security, requiring the recipient’s signature and offering better compensation for loss, but is slower and has basic tracking. Speed Post focuses on fast, guaranteed delivery with real-time tracking, but may be more expensive and typically allows delivery to anyone at the address, not just the addressee.
For people in areas with poor digital connectivity, the merger could pose challenges if Speed Post does not provide the same level of security, proof of delivery, or recipient-specific handover as Registered Post. It remains to be seen if India Post will adapt Speed Post features to address these concerns.
Usage declined mainly due to the rise of digital communication methods—such as email and online notifications—and increased competition from private courier services offering faster, trackable deliveries. These alternatives have reduced reliance on traditional registered mail for official and legal correspondence.
Legal and official documents sent by Registered Post have traditionally been recognized for their proof of delivery. If Speed Post adopts equivalent procedures—like requiring recipient signatures and detailed delivery records—it could maintain similar legal validity, but confirmation from regulators or courts may be needed after the merger.