India Post has launched the ‘24 Speed Post’ service from March 17, 2026, ensuring next-day delivery across six major cities—New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

The services—24 Speed Post, 24 Speed Post Parcel, and 48 Speed Post—were launched by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. To meet strict delivery timelines, the department will use special processing systems and priority air transport.

The launch event took place at Rang Bhavan Auditorium in Akashvani Bhavan, New Delhi. This newly introduced ‘24 Speed Post’ service is designed for urgent and time-sensitive consignments, ensuring faster delivery compared to standard postal timelines.

Scindia stated that this marks a new phase for India Post and opens up significant opportunities. He highlighted that the e-commerce market is expected to grow to ₹30 lakh crore by 2030, nearly three times its current size of ₹11 lakh crore.

Key Features of 24 Speed Post Service:

Guaranteed next-day delivery for urgent shipments
OTP-based secure delivery system
Real-time tracking with end-to-end SMS alerts
Priority air transport and special processing for faster delivery

Businesses will benefit from options like “Book Now, Pay Later (BNPL),” centralized billing, and API integration. Additional features include free pickup for bulk shipments and a money-back guarantee in case of delivery delays.

History of Postal Services in India:

1296 – Postal system using horses and runners during the reign of Alauddin Khalji
1541 – Sher Shah Suri introduced a horse-based postal system along a 2000-mile road between Bengal and Sindh
1766 – Robert Clive established a regular postal system
1774 – Kolkata GPO opened
1854 – Post Office Act XVII enacted
1876 – India joined the Universal Postal Union
1879–1880 – Introduction of postcards and railway mail/money order services
1882 – Post Office Savings Bank opened
1884 – Postal Life Insurance started
1898 – Post Office Act VI implemented
1935 – Indian Postal Order introduced
1959 – P&T adopted the motto “Aharanisham Sevamahe”
1986 – Speed Post service launched
1994 – Express Parcel and VSAT Money Order services started
2003 – “Meghdoot” software introduced
2008 – Modernization under Project Arrow