POSTMEN / MTS EXAMINATION 2025. - STUDY MATERIALS 1.

 PA Exam Materials – PO Guide part I -1
Smt P.Kiruthika Paramasivam

The "Post Office Act, 2023" (43 of 2023) has been passed by the Parliament and was notified on December 24, 2023, after receiving the President of India's assent. It came into force on June 18, 2024, as per the Gazette notification dated June 17, 2024, and repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. The Post Office Regulations, 2024, which replace the IPO Rules, 1933, came into force on December 16, 2024, and consist of 180 Regulations, 15 Chapters, and 5 Schedules.

Background of the New Regulations The Post Office Rules, 1933, were initially established under the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, to standardize postal operations across British India. However, with advancements in communication technology and the expansion of services, updates to these regulations became necessary. The Post Office Bill, 2023, was introduced to replace the outdated 1898 Act and address contemporary needs. The Post Office Regulations, 2024, were thus formulated to ensure India's postal services remain efficient, secure, and responsive. These regulations include updated definitions, service protocols, operational procedures, financial provisions, and compliance requirements, reflecting the dynamic nature of postal services in India. Previously, rules and regulatory provisions were combined in the Indian Post Office Rules, 1933; now, they are separately compiled as the Post Office Rules, 2024, and the Post Office Regulations, 2024.

Key Definitions (Preliminary Regulations 1-2)
• Accountable items: These items provide a tracking receipt upon booking and require the recipient's ink or digital signature for delivery confirmation.
• Act: Refers to the Post Office Act, 2023 (43 of 2023).
• Addressee: The intended recipient or the person to whom an item is to be delivered.
• Administrative instructions: Executive or administrative orders or guidelines issued as specified under regulations 178, 179, or 180.
• Authorized person: A person duly authorized by the addressee to receive an item or by a payee to receive money on their behalf.
• Delivery: The process of delivering an item to the addressee's address or to an authorized person or designated location, following standard delivery practices.
• Director (Postal Services): The Director in any administrative office of the Post Office or an officer exercising equivalent powers.
• In course of transmission by post: The period from the Post Office's receipt of an item until its delivery to the addressee, return to the sender, or other disposal.
• Letter box: A box installed in Post Offices, mail offices, or public places for posting fully prepaid letters, postcards, letter cards, and book post items.
• Payee: The person who intends to receive money through money remittance services.
• Post: Any system for the collection, clearance, sorting, dispatch, conveyance, and delivery of items by the postal network.
• Postmaster: The Director or Chief Postmaster of a General Post Office, Senior Postmaster or Head Postmaster of a Head Post Office, or an officer exercising Postmaster powers, who heads such a Post Office.
• Redirection: The act of assigning or directing an item to an address other than the initial one for a specific reason.
• Remitter: The person who remits money through money remittance services.
• Rules: Refers to the Post Office Rules, 2024, with "rule" meaning a rule within these said rules.
• Schedule: The schedule annexed to these regulations.
• Sender: A person who sends any item.
• Weight: Gross weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, unless stated otherwise.