Indian Post Office Act, 1898 Overview

The law enacted in 1898 to address deficiencies in the existing postal system.

The Director General of Posts and Telegraphs.

The initial legislation governing the Indian Post Office, amended several times.

A postal article posted and addressed within India, or to a place beyond India with a post office established by the Central Government, or vice-versa.

A ship used to transport mail, under contract or arrangement, by the Central Government, Her Majesty’s Government, or any British possession or foreign government.

Modifications to the 1866 Act to incorporate new aspects and address changing needs.

A law that allowed postal officers to search for newspapers for customs purposes.

Includes any person working for the Post Office or on its behalf.

An organization that dictated policies and procedures for handling international mail.

Fake postage stamps that were used on mail.

A postal service offering protection for insured mail.

A postal system where payment was required for items.

A system for transferring money through the post-office.

Issues and shortcomings in the original act that hindered effective postal operations.

The requirement for stronger legal safeguards for postal services and personnel.

The fee charged for sending postal articles.

Stamps used to pay for postage or other postal fees.

Any place used for postal services, including buildings, rooms, and letterboxes.

Anything that can be sent through the mail, like letters, parcels, or newspapers.

A person in charge of postal services, including deputies or officers with their powers.

The government department in charge of postal services.

From the moment a postal article is given to a post office until it's delivered, returned, or otherwise handled under specific postal rules.

The act of giving a postal article to the addressee or returning it to the sender.

If a postal item is refused or returned, the sender is responsible for the unpaid postage.

Postage is payable if the recipient is deceased or cannot be found.

Post Office can recover unpaid postage through a Magistrate's court, similar to penalties.

Unpaid postage can result in future mail being withheld.

Customs duties collected by the Post Office are treated as postage.

Post office marks (e.g., refused, deceased recipient) are strong evidence in court cases.

Initial assumption is that the person the mail came from is the sender.

Post office marks on items show how much postage is owed

The Central Government provides postage stamps of different types and values for postal services.

Central Government can create rules for supplying, selling, and using postage stamps.

The price of postage stamps is decided by the rules made by the Central Government.

Rules specify which types of mail require postage stamps for payment.

Rules define conditions like perforation, damage, acceptance, and refusal of postage stamps.

Rules dictate how postage stamps are stored, supplied, and sold.

Rules specify who can sell postage stamps and the conditions for sales.

Rules describe the tasks and payments for people selling stamps.

Government-issued postage stamps are considered revenue stamps for tax purposes.

General rule for paying postage, usually with stamps, unless otherwise specified by the government.

Protection for postal items against loss or damage during transit, offered at the post office.

Extra payment for postal item insurance on top of regular postage and registration fees.

Cases where the government requires insurance for postal items.

Regulations set by the government regarding insured postal articles.

Maximum value for which a postal article can be insured.

Regulated times and ways postal articles are delivered, especially when registered or insured.

Official announcement by the government for postal policies, including insurance rules and requirements.