Published: 14 August 2026 | Category: India Post Latest News, India Post Circulars, India Post Current Affairs
The Department of Posts has made a big change in parcel services.
Through a Gazette notification dated 31 July 2026, the Post Office (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2026 have been issued. These rules came into force from 1 August 2026.
Two things have happened:
- A brand new service called “India Post Parcel Last Mile” has been created.
- The tariff tables for India Post Parcel and Speed Post Parcel have been fully replaced with new rates.
This is important for two groups of people – staff working at the counter, and every candidate preparing for the India Post Departmental Exam. Questions on new services and tariff changes are commonly asked in India Post GK and Current Affairs.
Let us understand it in simple language.
Quick Summary
- Notification Number: S.O. 4241(E)
- Gazette Number: No. 4070, Part II – Section 3 – Sub-section (ii), Extraordinary
- Date of Notification: 31 July 2026 (Friday)
- Ministry: Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts
- Rule Name: Post Office (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2026
- Effective From: 1 August 2026
- Power Used: Section 13 of the Post Office Act, 2023 (43 of 2023)
- Approved By: Director General, with prior approval of the Central Government
- File Number: F. No. 39-09/2025-PD
- Signed By: Neeraj Kumar Jha, General Manager
What Is “India Post Parcel Last Mile”? (New Regulation 96A)
A new Regulation 96A has been inserted after Regulation 96. This creates a completely new parcel product.
In simple words, Last Mile means only the final delivery leg. The customer brings the parcel directly to the delivery point, and India Post only handles the delivery to the address.
Here are the rules of this new service:
1. Where it can be booked
The parcel can be booked at:
- The office of delivery of the parcel, or
- An identified parcel hub or parcel processing centre, for delivery within the local jurisdiction of that office
2. Who can use it
Only bulk or corporate customers who enter into an agreement with the Department of Posts. This is not available to walk-in retail customers.
This is clearly aimed at e-commerce companies and large sellers who want India Post to handle only the final delivery.
3. Value-added services available
- Proof of Delivery (POD)
- Insurance
- Cash on Delivery (COD)
- Other value-added services
These are given on payment of the same fee as applicable to the normal India Post Parcel.
4. How postage is calculated
This is an important point.
Postage will be charged on volumetric weight or gross weight, whichever is higher.
So a large but light box will be charged on its size, not just its weight.
5. Delivery
The parcel will be delivered at the given address, unless something else is specified.
6. Compensation
The compensation rules given in Table V of Schedule I for India Post Parcel will apply to this service as well, with necessary changes (mutatis mutandis).
New Table III A – India Post Parcel Last Mile Tariff
This is the brand new rate table.
| Weight Slab | Booked / Inducted at Delivery Office | Booked / Inducted at identified Parcel Hub or Parcel Processing Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2000 grams | ₹15 | ₹20 |
| 2001 – 5000 grams* | ₹22 | ₹35 |
*Maximum permissible weight is 5 kilograms.
Note: GST will be levied as applicable.
Very low rates, because India Post is only doing the last leg of the journey.
New Table III – India Post Parcel Tariff (Revised)
India Post Parcel – Retail
| Weight Slab | Local | Within State | Zone / Metro | Other States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 g | ₹28 | ₹65 | ₹70 | ₹72 |
| 501 – 1000 g | ₹48 | ₹91 | ₹106 | ₹114 |
| 1001 – 1500 g | ₹60 | ₹117 | ₹142 | ₹171 |
| 1501 – 2000 g | ₹87 | ₹160 | ₹198 | ₹239 |
| 2001 – 3000 g | ₹116 | ₹219 | ₹277 | ₹337 |
| 3001 – 4000 g | ₹145 | ₹268 | ₹344 | ₹420 |
| 4001 – 5000 g | ₹174 | ₹324 | ₹420 | ₹515 |
| Every additional 1 kg | ₹30 | ₹50 | ₹70 | ₹90 |
India Post Parcel – Contractual
| Weight Slab | Local | Within State | Zone / Metro | Other States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 g | ₹27 | ₹31 | ₹34 | ₹35 |
| 501 – 1000 g | ₹31 | ₹44 | ₹51 | ₹57 |
| 1001 – 1500 g | ₹36 | ₹58 | ₹70 | ₹80 |
| 1501 – 2000 g | ₹45 | ₹80 | ₹100 | ₹115 |
| 2001 – 3000 g | ₹57 | ₹100 | ₹125 | ₹145 |
| 3001 – 4000 g | ₹69 | ₹120 | ₹150 | ₹175 |
| 4001 – 5000 g | ₹81 | ₹140 | ₹175 | ₹205 |
| Every additional 1 kg | ₹15 | ₹20 | ₹25 | ₹30 |
Note: GST will be levied as applicable.
New Table IV – Speed Post Parcel Tariff (Revised)
Speed Post Parcel – Retail
| Weight Slab | Local | Within State | Zone / Metro | Other States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 g | ₹28 | ₹76 | ₹82 | ₹90 |
| 501 – 1000 g | ₹48 | ₹101 | ₹137 | ₹143 |
| 1001 – 1500 g | ₹60 | ₹130 | ₹182 | ₹228 |
| 1501 – 2000 g | ₹87 | ₹178 | ₹254 | ₹319 |
| 2001 – 3000 g | ₹116 | ₹243 | ₹355 | ₹450 |
| 3001 – 4000 g | ₹145 | ₹298 | ₹441 | ₹560 |
| 4001 – 5000 g | ₹174 | ₹361 | ₹539 | ₹686 |
| Additional 1 kg | ₹35 | ₹60 | ₹95 | ₹120 |
Speed Post Parcel – Contractual
| Weight Slab | Local | Within State | Zone / Metro | Other States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 g | ₹28 | ₹36 | ₹40 | ₹47 |
| 501 – 1000 g | ₹31 | ₹49 | ₹65 | ₹71 |
| 1001 – 1500 g | ₹36 | ₹64 | ₹110 | ₹150 |
| 1501 – 2000 g | ₹45 | ₹89 | ₹140 | ₹190 |
| 2001 – 3000 g | ₹57 | ₹111 | ₹190 | ₹250 |
| 3001 – 4000 g | ₹69 | ₹133 | ₹235 | ₹305 |
| 4001 – 5000 g | ₹81 | ₹156 | ₹275 | ₹350 |
| Additional 1 kg | ₹15 | ₹25 | ₹60 | ₹65 |
Note: GST will be levied as applicable.
Easy Comparison – Which One Costs More?
For the Local slab, both India Post Parcel Retail and Speed Post Parcel Retail have the same rates (₹28, ₹48, ₹60, ₹87, ₹116, ₹145, ₹174).
The difference starts from Within State onwards. Speed Post Parcel is costlier because it is faster.
Example for a 1 kg parcel to another state (Retail):
- India Post Parcel: ₹114
- Speed Post Parcel: ₹143
And if the customer is a bulk/corporate client using Last Mile for local delivery of the same 1 kg parcel booked at the delivery office: only ₹15.
That single comparison explains why this new service was created.
Why This Matters for Departmental Exam Candidates
Do not skip this news thinking it is only for counter staff.
India Post Current Affairs and India Post GK questions are regularly framed on:
- Name and number of new regulations
- Date of coming into force
- Which Act and Section gives the power
- New services and their eligibility conditions
- Weight limits and basic tariff structure
Likely question format for GDS to MTS, MTS to PA, Postman to PA and PA SA Departmental Exam:
“India Post Parcel Last Mile service was introduced under which regulation of the Post Office Regulations, 2024?” Answer: Regulation 96A
“What is the maximum permissible weight for India Post Parcel Last Mile?” Answer: 5 kilograms
“The Post Office (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2026 came into force on which date?” Answer: 1 August 2026
Write these three points in your notebook today.
Five Points to Remember
- Regulation 96A = India Post Parcel Last Mile
- Effective from 1 August 2026
- Only for bulk / corporate customers with an agreement
- Charged on volumetric weight or gross weight, whichever is higher
- Maximum weight 5 kg; tariff ₹15 to ₹35 depending on slab and booking point
Background of the Rules
- The Post Office Regulations, 2024 were originally published vide S.O. 5440(E) dated 16 December 2024.
- They were last amended vide S.O. 4053(E) dated 23 July 2026.
- This Sixth Amendment is the latest change on top of that.
Only eight days between two amendments. The parcel business is clearly moving fast, so keep checking updates.
Prepare the Right Way for Departmental Exams
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is India Post Parcel Last Mile? It is a new service where the parcel is booked at the delivery office or an identified parcel hub / parcel processing centre, and India Post handles delivery within the local jurisdiction of that office.
Q2. From when is the new tariff applicable? From 1 August 2026.
Q3. Can a normal customer use the Last Mile service? No. It is available only to bulk or corporate customers who have an agreement with the Department of Posts.
Q4. What is the maximum weight allowed in Last Mile? 5 kilograms.
Q5. How is the postage calculated? On the basis of volumetric weight or gross weight, whichever is higher.
Q6. Are COD and insurance available in this service? Yes. Proof of delivery, insurance, cash on delivery and other value-added services are available on payment of the fee applicable to India Post Parcel.
Q7. Which Act gives the power for these regulations? Section 13 of the Post Office Act, 2023.
Stay Updated
Always read the original Gazette notification before applying any tariff at the counter. For anything related to your office, follow the instructions issued by your Divisional Office and Circle Office.
For daily India Post Departmental Exam updates, India Post Current Affairs, previous year question papers and free mock tests, keep visiting our website.