Speed Post to get costlier from October 1: Check new charges, OTP delivery and real-time tracking features

Speed Post tariffs for documents will be revised effective October 1, 2025, as per an official notification. The Department of Posts states the revision is necessary to cover rising operational costs and to finance a set of service upgrades that the organization will introduce. The measures include technology-driven features intended to improve delivery security and customer convenience.

Basis for the revision

The Department of Posts notes that the last tariff adjustment for Inland Speed Post occurred in October 2012. Over the intervening thirteen years, operating costs have increased and service expectations have changed. The Ministry’s statement asserts that the revised tariff will support continued improvements, meet rising operational costs, and allow for investment in innovations. The revision is presented as a rationalisation of prices rather than a discretionary increase.

Here are the revised rates:

These rates replace the earlier structure that had lower base charges and different distance bands. The Department of Posts describes the revision as a necessary step to maintain service levels and introduce the upgraded features.

Comparison with previous rates

For context, the previous tariff (in place since 2012 and published on the India Post site) included these sample rates for documents:

• Up to 50 grams: Local Rs 15; most distance bands Rs 35.
  
• 51–200 grams: Local Rs 25; higher distance bands varied up to Rs 70.
  
• 201–500 grams: Local Rs 30; longer distances charged up to Rs 90.
  
• Additional 500 grams or part thereof: charges ranged from Rs 10 to Rs 50 depending on distance.
  

The new structure raises most base and distance-related charges. The increase is most visible in the lightest weight band and across long-distance categories.

New features and value-added services

The Department of Posts will introduce several operational features alongside the tariff change. The Ministry lists the following features as part of the Speed Post upgrade:

• OTP-based secure delivery: delivery will be completed only after the recipient confirms a one-time password with the delivery personnel.
  
• Online payment facility: customers can pay online when booking Speed Post services.
  
• SMS-based delivery notifications: automated notifications will inform customers of dispatch and delivery events.
  
• Convenient online booking services: customers will be able to create bookings through an online interface.
  
• Real-time delivery updates: tracking information will be more granular and timely.
  
• Registration facility for users: an option for registered users to manage and track consignments.
  

These services are intended to strengthen reliability and security. The Ministry positions them as improvements to meet customer expectations for transparency and accountability.

Charges for registration and OTP delivery

The Ministry specifies fees for the value-added services:

• Registration service: Rs 5 per Speed Post item plus applicable goods and services tax. This service ensures delivery only to the addressee or an authorised person.
  
• OTP-based delivery: Rs 5 per Speed Post item plus applicable goods and services tax. This fee applies when the delivery is completed only after OTP confirmation.
  

The Ministry describes these as optional, value-added services that provide an additional layer of security and formal confirmation of delivery.

Discounts and concessions

To moderate the impact of the tariff change for certain user groups, the department will offer concessions:

• Students: a 10 percent discount on Speed Post tariffs.
  
• New bulk customers: a special 5 percent discount for qualifying bulk account holders.
  

These concessions aim to support education-related correspondence and to incentivise institutional or high-volume use of Speed Post services.

Merger of registered post with speed post

The Department of Posts implemented an organisational change on September 1, 2025. Registered Post services for domestic transmissions have been merged into Speed Post. The stated objective is consolidation of services to reduce duplication, streamline operations, and provide a single domestic registered and trackable service under the Speed Post brand.

Operational and customer considerations

The introduction of OTP-based delivery and real-time tracking is designed to reduce mis-deliveries and improve accountability in the delivery chain. For example, where a parcel earlier might have been handed to a neighbour or an unauthorised person, the OTP requirement will restrict delivery to the recipient or a person authorised through the OTP process.

Online booking and payment are intended to reduce queues at post offices and to increase convenience. The department’s move reflects broader trends in logistics where digital interfaces reduce friction for users and provide operational efficiencies.