## Policy Analysis Report: Post Office Second Amendment Regulations, 2025 - Gyan Post
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Post Office Second Amendment Regulations, 2025, which introduces "Gyan Post," a new postal service category for transmitting books and educational materials at a special postage rate. The core purpose, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the affordable delivery of educational and culturally relevant literature. Key findings include specific conditions and restrictions for Gyan Post items, prescribed postage rates based on weight, and mandatory tracking for all Gyan Post shipments. This amendment impacts students, educational institutions, publishers of non-commercial educational material, and the Department of Posts.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Post Office Second Amendment Regulations, 2025, specifically focusing on the introduction of "Gyan Post." This analysis is based solely on the provided policy text and aims to inform stakeholders about the key aspects of this amendment.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy Amended:** The Post Office Regulations, 2024.
* **Core Objective(s):** The primary objective, as derived from the text, is to facilitate the transmission of books and educational materials at a reduced postage rate. This appears designed to promote access to education, social, cultural and religious literature through the postal service.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment introduces a new service ("Gyan Post") within the existing postal regulations. The amendment appears to address the need for a cost-effective method to send educational materials through the postal system. The focus on specific types of books (related to education, culture, and religion, with certain constraints) suggests an effort to support literacy and access to information within these domains. The restrictions on advertisements and commercial content suggest the intention is to target non-commercial educational and cultural exchanges.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment introduces the following key changes:
* **New Regulation 92A: Gyan Post:** A new regulation, 92A, is inserted after regulation 92 in the Post Office Regulations, 2024, defining "Gyan Post."
* **Definition and Eligibility:** Gyan Post is defined as a book or packet containing books related to syllabus materials for correspondence and regular courses from recognized educational institutions, or literature of a social, cultural, or religious nature published according to the law, or textbooks for competitive exams.
* **Conditions for Transmission:** Strict conditions are stipulated, including:
* Exclusion of publications issued at regular intervals (magazines, journals).
* Mandatory "Gyan Post" inscription on the outside of the packet.
* Restrictions on advertisements and commercial content.
* Requirement for the printer or publisher's name on each book.
* Exclusion of books of business or commercial nature.
* Limitations on inscriptions reproduced by non-printing or manuscription means.
* Restrictions on price lists, bills, or orders (with an exception for invoices/bills pertaining to the publication).
* **Mandatory Tracking:** Gyan Post items must be trackable; untracked or ordinary transmission is not allowed.
* **Address Specificity:** Gyan Post items must have a specific delivery address.
* **Transmission Mode:** Gyan Post items must be transmitted through surface mode only.
* **Value-Added Services:** Senders can avail of registration, proof of delivery, and insurance by paying the required fees.
* **Inspection:** The postal service has the right to inspect the contents of the packet.
* **Non-compliance Penalties:** If items do not meet the Gyan Post eligibility criteria or violate the conditions, they will be treated as India Post Parcel Retail items and charged double the difference in postage.
* **Weight Limits:** The minimum weight is 300 grams, and the maximum weight is 5 kg.
* **Postage Rates:** A new "Table X" is inserted into Schedule I, specifying postage rates based on weight, ranging from Rs. 20 for up to 300 grams to Rs. 100 for between 4001 and 5000 grams.
* **Operational Conditions:** The operational conditions for posting, booking, transmission and delivery of items under Gyan Post are to be as specified by administrative instructions from time to time.
The effect of these changes is to create a dedicated postal service for educational and cultural materials with specific requirements and cost benefits, alongside stricter rules regarding the content, weight, and tracking of these materials.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the target audience and stakeholders include:
* Students enrolled in correspondence and regular courses.
* Educational institutions (recognized boards, universities, autonomous bodies, and statutory bodies under the Government).
* Publishers of social, cultural, and religious literature.
* Aspirants of various competitive examinations.
* The Department of Posts, responsible for implementing and managing the Gyan Post service.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency:** The Director General of the Department of Posts, with the prior approval of the Central Government, is responsible for implementing the regulations.
* **Timelines:** The regulations come into force on May 1, 2025.
* **Procedures:** The text specifies conditions for acceptable Gyan Post items, rules regarding inspection, address requirements, and the methodology for calculating penalties for non-compliance. Detailed operational instructions are to be specified administratively from time to time. Implementation of the amendments requires training postal staff, creating tracking mechanisms, and communicating the new rules and rates to the public.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these changes include:
* **Increased affordability and accessibility of educational and cultural materials through the postal system.** The reduced postage rates for Gyan Post are intended to lower the cost of sending books, making them more accessible to students and others seeking educational and cultural resources.
* **Support for literacy and education.** By facilitating the delivery of educational materials, the amendment is likely intended to promote literacy and educational attainment.
* **Streamlined postal service for educational materials.** The amendment establishes clear rules and procedures for handling Gyan Post items, potentially improving the efficiency and reliability of the postal service for this category of mail.
* **Revenue generation for the Department of Posts.** While providing a lower postage rate for educational materials, Gyan Post also mandates tracking and potentially value-added services, which could generate revenue for the Department of Posts. The "double deficiency" penalty for non-compliance could further incentivise compliance and boost revenue.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Post Office Second Amendment Regulations, 2025, introduces a dedicated Gyan Post service, aimed at promoting access to education and cultural materials through discounted postage rates, subject to specific conditions. The amendment mandates tracking and provides a framework for implementation and enforcement. While the text offers a comprehensive overview of the provisions and changes, the success of this initiative will depend on effective implementation by the Department of Posts and awareness among the target audience. The amendment signifies a commitment to support education and literacy by leveraging the postal network.
Key Entities Referenced
Post Office Act, 2023: Act cited as the source of authority for the regulations.
43 of 2023: Reference number of the Post Office Act, 2023.
Director General: The official authorized to make regulations under the Post Office Act.
Central Government: Entity whose prior approval is required for the Director General to make regulations.
Post Office Regulations, 2024: Regulations being amended by this notification.
Post Office Second Amendment Regulations, 2025: Title of the new regulations.
Gyan Post: New postal service category for educational materials.
India Post Parcel Retail product: Alternative postal service to which items not meeting Gyan Post criteria will be assigned, at a higher cost.
Table X of Schedule I: Table in the regulations specifying postage rates for Gyan Post items.
SCHEDULE I: Schedule within the regulations that is being amended.
20: Postage rate in Rs. for Gyan Post items up to 300 grams.
25: Postage rate in Rs. for Gyan Post items between 301 to 500 grams.
35: Postage rate in Rs. for Gyan Post items between 501 to 1000 grams.
50: Postage rate in Rs. for Gyan Post items between 1001 to 2000 grams.
65: Postage rate in Rs. for Gyan Post items between 2001 to 3000 grams.
80: Postage rate in Rs. for Gyan Post items between 3001 to 4000 grams.
100: Postage rate in Rs. for Gyan Post items between 4001 to 5000 grams.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS: Government ministry and department issuing the notification.
Government of India: The government under which the Dte. of Printing operates.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एलxx.x-GअID.-E2x8xx0 42025-262728
CG-DL-E-28042025-262728
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 224] नई दिल्ली, सोमवार, अप्रलै 28, 2025/ वशै ाख 8, 1947
No. 224] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2025/VAISAKHA 8, 1947
सचं ार मत्रं ालय
(डाक जिभाग)
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ल ी, 28 अप्रलै , 2025
सा.का.जन. 263(अ).— महाजनिेिक, केंद्रीय सरकार के पूिव अनुमोिन से, डाकघर अजधजनयम, 2023
(2023 का 43) की धारा 13 द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करत े हुए; एतिद्वारा, डाकघर जिजनयम, 2024 म ें आग े
संिोधन करने के जलए जनम्नजलजखत जिजनयम बनाते ह,ैं अर्ातव ्:-
1. संजिप्त नाम और प्रारंभ - (1) इन जिजनयमों का संजिप्त नाम डाकघर (जद्वतीय संिोधन) जिजनयम, 2025 ह।ै
(2) य े 1 मई, 2025 को प्रिृत्त होंगे।
2. डाकघर जिजनयम, 2024 में, -
(i) जिजनयम 92 के पश्चात,् जनम्नजलजखत जिजनयम अंतःस्ट्र्ाजपत दकया िाएगा, अर्ावत् :-
“92 क. ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट – (1) कोई पुस्ट्तक या पुस्ट्तकों िाला पैकेट, जिसमें जनम्नजलजखत स ेसंबंजधत पुस्ट्तकें हों, को उप जिजनयम
(2) म ेंउजल्लजखत जनबंधनों के अधीन “ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट” मि के रूप में पारेजित दकया िा सकता है :
(क) िो पत्राचार और जनयजमत पाठ्यक्रम में छात्रों हते ,ु जनम्न द्वारा जिजहत हों :
(i) सरकार द्वारा मान्यताप्राप्त िैिजणक बोड,व जिश्वजिद्यालय;
(ii) सरकार के अधीन स्ट्िायत्त जनकाय और सांजिजधक जनकाय
2789GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
(ख) ििे के सुसगं त जिजध के अनुसार िारी या प्रकाजित सामाजिक, सांस्ट्कृजतक और धार्मकव स्ट्िरूप से संबंजधत
साजहत्य;
(ग) जिजभन्न प्रजतयोगी परीिाओं के उम्मीििारों द्वारा प्रयोग में लाई िाने िाली पाठ्यपस्ट्ु तकें
स्ट्पष्टीकरण - (1) “पुस्ट्तक” म ें दकसी भी भािा में प्रकाजित प्रत्येक खंड, खडं का भाग या जहस्ट्सा तर्ा अलग से मुदद्रत सगं ीत,
मानजचत्र, चाटव या योिना का प्रत्येक पृष्ठ िाजमल ह ै और यह पूरी तरह या अजधकांितः पठन सामग्री, पेंटटंग, फोटोग्राफ,
जचत्र या इस प्रकार की अन्य सामग्री हो सकती ह,ै जिसमें छात्रों द्वारा नोट करने के जलए ररि स्ट्र्ान दिया गया हो अर्िा
नहीं।
(2) सरकार स े केंद्रीय सरकार, राज्य सरकार या संघ राज्य-ित्रे की सरकार अजभप्रेत ह।ै
(2) कोई पुस्ट्तक या पस्ट्ु तकों िाले पैकेट को जनम्नजलजखत के अधीन, “ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट” के अतं गतव पारेजित दकया िाएगा :
(क) इनम ेंजनयजमत अंतराल पर प्रकाजित कोई प्रकािन नहीं होना चाजहए;
िष्टृ ांत - जनयजमत समय अतं राल िैस े साप्ताजहक, पाजिक, माजसक, जद्व-माजसक, त्रैमाजसक, अधव-िार्िवक इत्यादि पर
प्रकाजित होने िाली पजत्रकाएं, िनवल या इसी प्रकार का कोई अन्य प्रकािन।
(ख) पस्ट्ु तकों िाल ेऐसे पैकेट के ऊपर “ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट” अंदकत होना चाजहए।
(ग) पुस्ट् तकों में ‘आनुिंजगक घोिणाओं’ अर्िा ‘पुस्ट् तकों की सूची’ के अलािा कोई भी जिज्ञापन नहीं होगा;
(घ) ऐसे पैकेट में रखी गई प्रत् येक पुस्ट्त क पर मुद्रक अर्िा प्रकािक का नाम अंदकत होगा;
(ड.) इस उत् पाि के माध् यम से कोई भी व् यािसाजयक अर्िा िाजणजज्यक स्ट्िरूप की पुस्ट्त क नहीं भेिी िाएगी;
(च) ऐसे पैकेट में दकसी भी पुस्ट् तक पर प्प्रंटटंग अर्िा मैन्य ूजस्ट्क्रपिन (हस्ट्तजलजप) के अलािा दकसी भी अन्य रीजत स े
पुनरुत् पादित िणव या लेख जिद्यमान नहीं होंग;े
परंत ु यह दक इस प्रकार के दकसी भी प्रकािन म ें प्रेजिती का नाम, तारीख, प्रिे क अर्िा स्ट् िामी का नाम और पता
या सम्मानसूचक अर्िा भेंट स्ट्िरूप ििावते आद्यािर हो सकते ह;ैं िो
(छ) ऐसे पैकेट में जनजहत, दकसी भी प्रकािन में कोई भी मूल् य सूची या जबल अर्िा पस्ट्ु तकों की ‘आपूर्तव संबंधी आििे ’
नहीं होगा;
परंत ु यह दक उस पैकेट में भेि ेिाने िाले प्रकािन से संबंजधत इनिॉइस या जबल अर्िा िोनों हो सकते ह।ैं
(3) "ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट" के अतं गतव बुक की गई िस्ट्तुओं को ‘रैक करने योग्य िस्ट्तु’ के रूप म ें प्रेजित दकया िाएगा। ‘ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट’
श्रेणी के अंतगवत कोई भी िस्ट्तु ‘रैक नहीं की िा सकन े िाली’ या ‘साधारण िस्ट्तु’ के रूप म ेंप्रेजित नहीं की िाएगी।
(4) ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट के रूप म ेंभेिी गई िस्ट्तु जिजनर्िवष्ट पत े पर होगी।
(5) इस श्रेणी के अतं गतव बुक दकए गए पैकेटों को सड़क मागव स ेप्रेजित दकया िाएगा।
(6) प्रेिक, लाग ू िल्ु क या प्रभारों का भुगतान कर, रजिस्ट्रीकरण, जडलीिरी का प्रमाण और बीमा संबंधी मूल्यिर्धवत
सेिा का लाभ ल ेसकते ह।ैं
(7) उि िस्ट्त ु पर जडजलिरी पता और प्रेिक का िापसी पता अंदकत होना चाजहए तर्ा यह, डाकघर के अजधकाररयों
और पिाजधकाररयों द्वारा िांच के अध्यधीन होगी।
(8) ऐसी िांच पर, ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट उत्पाि के अधीन प्रदक्रया दकए िाने के जलए अपात्र सामग्री अर्िा ऊपर (क) स े (ि)
तक म ें उजल्लजखत ितों के उल्लंघन के मामल े में, इस उत्पाि के अधीन भेि े गए पैकेट को भारतीय डाक पासवल - ररटेल
उत्पाि के माध्यम से प्रेजित डाक-िस्ट्तु माना िाएगा और ऐस े पैकेट पर पहले से ही भुगतान दकए गए डाक महसलू तर्ा
‘भारतीय डाक पासवल - ररटेल उत्पाि डाक-िस्ट्तु’ के जलए िये डाक महसूल की िर के बीच के अतं र की िोगुना राजि
जडजलिरी के समय प्रभाररत की िाएगी।
(9) "ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट" के अंतगवत पैकेट बुक दकए िान े के जलए न्यूनतम ििन सीमा तीन सौ ग्राम होगी और इस उत्पाि के
अंतगतव बुक दकए िाने िाल े पैकेट की अजधकतम ििन सीमा पाचं दकलोग्राम होगी।
(10) ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट के अधीन डाक-िस्ट्तुओं की पोप्स्ट्टंग, बुककंग, पारेिण और जडजलिरी संबंधी प्रचालनगत ित,ें समय-
समय पर जिजनर्िवष्ट प्रिासजनक अनुिेिों के अनुसार होंगी।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(11) "ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट" के अतं गवत भेिी िाने िाली डाक-िस्ट्तुओं पर प्रभायव डाक महसूल की िरें, अनसु ूची I की सारणी X म ें
उल्लेखानुसार होंगी।"
(ii) अनुसूची I म,ें शीर्षक "घरेल ू डाक-वस्तुओं के ललए डाक महसूल और िुल्क" के नीच,े 92(3) के पश्चात,्
लनम्नलललखत आंकड़े और अक्षर अंतःस्थालित ककए जाएगं े, अथातष ्:-
“92क.”;
(iii) अनुसूची I म,ें सारणी IX के पश्चात ्जनम्नजलजखत सारणी अंतःस्ट्र्ाजपत की िाएगी, अर्ावत् :-
सारणी
ज्ञान पोस्ट्ट िस्ट्तु के जलए डाक-महसूल की िर (लागू करों को छोड़कर)
िस्ट्तु का ििन डाक-महसूल की िर (रु. में)
300 ग्राम तक 20
301 स े 500 ग्रा. के बीच 25
501 स े 1000 ग्रा. के बीच 35
1001 स े 2000 ग्रा. के बीच 50
2001 स े 3000 ग्रा. के बीच 65
3001 स े 4000 ग्रा. के बीच 80
4001 स े 5000 ग्रा. के बीच 100
[फा. स.ं 27-06/2024-पीओ]
जििेक कुमार िि, उप महाजनििे क
रटप्प ण :- मूल जिजनयम भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण म ें 16 दिसंबर, 2024 के का.आ. 5440 (अ.) के तहत प्रकाजित दकए
गए र् े और भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण के माध्यम से 28 माचव, 2025 के का.आ. 1523 (अ.) के तहत संिोजधत दकए गए
र्।े
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF POSTS)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 28th April, 2025.
G.S.R. 263(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by section 13 of the Post Office Act,
2023 (43 of 2023), the Director General, with the prior approval of the Central Government, hereby makes
the following regulations to further amend the Post Office Regulations, 2024, namely:-
1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These regulations may be called the Post Office (Second
Amendment) Regulations, 2025.
(2) They shall come into force from 1st May 2025.
2. In the Post Office Regulations, 2024,-
(i) after regulation 92, the following regulation shall be inserted, namely:-4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
“92 A. GYAN POST.- (1) A book or packet containing the books related with the following, may
be transmitted as a “Gyan Post” item, subject to the conditions mentioned in sub regulations (2):
(a) prescribed in syllabus for correspondence and regular courses for students by:
(i) recognized boards of education, universities of the Government;
(ii) autonomous bodies and statutory bodies under the Government
(b) containing the literature related with social, cultural and religious nature issued or
published in accordance with relevant law of the land;
(c) text book used by aspirants of various competitive examinations
Explanation.- (1) “Book” includes every volume, part or division of a volume, in any language and
every sheet of music, map, chart or plan separately printed and consists wholly or substantially of
reading matter, paintings, photographs, diagrams or any other similar matter, with or without blank
spaces, for notations by students.
(2) Government means Central Government, State Government or Government of
the Union Territories.
(2) A Book or packet containing the books shall be transmitted under the “Gyan Post” subject to the
following:
(a) They shall not contain any publication, published at regular intervals;
Illustration- Magazines, journal or similar publication issued at a regular interval of time –
weekly, fortnightly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half yearly and so- on.
(b) Such packet containing the books shall bear on the outside the inscription “Gyan Post”;
(c) Books shall not contain any advertisements other than incidental announcements or list of
books;
(d) Each book in such packet shall contain the name of the printer or publisher;
(e) No book of business or commercial in nature, shall be sent through this product;
(f) No book in such packet shall bear any character or inscription reproduced by any means
other than printing or manuscription:
Provided that any such publication may contain in writing the name of the person to whom
it is sent or presented, the date, the name and address of the sender or owner or initials of a
complimentary nature or signifying presentation.
(g) No publication in such packet shall contain any price list or bills or orders for supply of the
books:
Provided that the packet may contain an invoice or a bill or both pertaining to publication
being sent in that packet.
(3) The items booked under “Gyan Post” shall be transmitted as trackable item. No item under
Gyan Post category shall be transmitted as untracked or ordinary item.
(4) The item posted as Gyan Post shall be address specific.
(5) The packets booked under this category, shall be transmitted through surface mode.
(6) The value-added service of registration, proof of delivery and insurance, may be availed
by the sender on payment of applicable fees or charges.
(7) The said item must have a delivery address and the sender’s return address and are subject
to inspection by the post office officers and officials.
(8) Upon such inspection, matter not eligible for the processing under the Gyan Post product
or in case of infringement of the conditions mentioned in (a) to (g) above, the packet sent under this
product, shall be treated as an item posted through India Post Parcel - Retail product and charged
on delivery with double the deficiency between the postage already paid for such packet and the
postage payable for an India Post Parcel - Retail product item.
(9) The minimum weight for booking packet under “Gyan Post” shall be three hundred gms.
and the maximum weight for which packet under this product may be booked, shall be five kg.
(10) The operational conditions for posting, booking, transmission and delivery of items under
Gyan Post, shall be, as specified by administrative instructions from time to time[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5
(11) The rates of postage chargeable on items, posted under “Gyan Post” shall be as mentioned
in Table X of Schedule I.”;
(ii) in the SCHEDULE I, below the heading “POSTAGE AND FEE FOR DOMESTIC ITEMS”, after
the figures 92(3), the following figures and letter shall be inserted, namely:-
“92A.”;
(iii) in the SCHEDULE I, after Table IX, the following Table shall be inserted, namely:-
Table
The rate for postage of Gyan post item (exclusive of applicable taxes)
Weight of item Rate of postage (in Rs.)
Upto 300 grams 20
Between 301 to 500 gms 25
Between 501 to 1000 gms 35
Between 1001 to 2000 gms 50
Between 2001 to 3000 gms 65
Between 3001 to 4000 gms 80
Between 4001 to 5000 gms 100
[F. No. 27-06/2024-PO]
VIVEK KUMAR DAKSH, Deputy Director General.
Note: The principal regulations were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number S.O.
5440(E), dated 16th December, 2024 and amended vide Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number S.O.
1523(E), dated 28th March, 2025.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.