24 Speed Post and 48 Speed Post — India Post's New Premium Services Explained
What next-day and second-day Speed Post actually cost, which cities they work in, the 4 PM cut-off that decides everything, how OTP delivery works, and how to get your money back if India Post misses the deadline.
Already booked 24 or 48 Speed Post?
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24 Speed Post is India Post's guaranteed next-day delivery service, and 48 Speed Post is its guaranteed second-day service. Both launched on 17 March 2026 in a first phase covering six metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. If the article isn't delivered within the promised window, India Post refunds the full postage.
For a letter up to 50 g, 24 Speed Post costs ₹38 within the same city and ₹94 to another city. A 500 g packet going the longest distance costs ₹186. 48 Speed Post starts at ₹61. GST is added on top of all of these. To get the guarantee, book at an identified post office before 4 PM.
That's the short answer. Below is everything you need to decide whether it's worth it for your shipment, and the exact steps to book and claim a refund. The launch news articles mostly skip that part.
The Three New Services — What Each One Is
India Post launched three products together, not one. People mix them up at the counter, so here's what each one is for.
24 Speed Post
Next day (D+1)
For urgent documents and small packets. The published retail rate chart covers items up to 500 g.
24 Speed Post Parcel
Next day (D+1)
The same next-day promise for parcels. India Post's FAQ caps it at 5 kg.
48 Speed Post
Second day (D+2)
A cheaper guaranteed option when tomorrow isn't essential. It's meant for other cities, not local delivery.
D+1 means delivery the day after the booking date. D+2 means two days after. So if you book 24 Speed Post in Mumbai on a Monday afternoon before the cut-off, it should reach a Delhi address on Tuesday. 48 Speed Post booked the same Monday should arrive by Wednesday.
India Post says these services run on separate processing windows and priority air transmission. That's how they can promise fixed next-day and second-day timelines, which regular Speed Post doesn't.
Delivery on Sundays and Holidays — Yes, With Three Exceptions
This is the big difference from regular Speed Post. India Post's official FAQ says 24 Speed Post "operates 7 days a week including Sundays". If you book on a Saturday, delivery is due on Sunday, not Monday.
Holidays are covered too, except the three national holidays. The internal guidelines for the service list them:
Festival tip: Diwali and other festival days are not on that exclusion list, so 24 Speed Post delivery is meant to run on those days too. But counters for booking may keep shorter hours or close on holidays. Check the post office holiday list and call your booking office before you set out.
Which Cities Have 24 Speed Post
Phase 1 covers all PIN codes in six metro cities, according to India Post's FAQ:
In practice, you book at an identified post office in one of these cities, and the article must be addressed to one of them. Not every post office in these cities has a 24/48 counter. In Chennai, for example, the Mylapore head post office set up a special counter when the service launched. Your nearest small branch may not offer it at all.
Sending from Pune, Jaipur or Lucknow? These cities weren't part of Phase 1, and when the revised tariffs were reported in July 2026, the service was still limited to the six metros. India Post has said more cities will follow in phases. For the latest list of booking offices, open the 24/48 Speed Post section on India Post's website, indiapost.gov.in, and use its "Locate Us" page.
24 Speed Post Charges — Official Retail Rate Chart
These are India Post's published retail tariffs for 24 Speed Post. GST is charged separately.
| Weight | Local | Up to 200 km | 201–500 km | 501–1,000 km | 1,001–2,000 km | Above 2,000 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 g | ₹38 | ₹94 | ₹94 | ₹94 | ₹94 | ₹94 |
| 51 g – 250 g | ₹48 | ₹118 | ₹126 | ₹136 | ₹144 | ₹154 |
| 251 g – 500 g | ₹56 | ₹140 | ₹150 | ₹164 | ₹172 | ₹186 |
48 Speed Post charges (retail)
| Weight | Charge (before GST) |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 g | ₹61, whatever the distance |
| 51 g – 250 g | ₹77 to ₹100, depending on distance |
| 251 g – 500 g | ₹91 to ₹121, depending on distance |
24 Speed Post Parcel (up to 5 kg) has its own tariff. Reports at launch put it at roughly ₹200 to ₹990 depending on weight, but India Post's FAQ doesn't publish that chart. Ask the counter for the exact figure before you pack.
Business customers with a Speed Post contract get separate bulk rates. These were reported at ₹38–₹100 for 24 Speed Post and ₹48–₹72 for 48 Speed Post.
Quick comparison: India Post's own website lists regular Speed Post for an item up to 50 g at ₹19 local and ₹47 nationwide. So a letter from Chennai to Delhi costs ₹94 with 24 Speed Post against ₹47 for regular Speed Post, which is double. You're paying for a guaranteed next-day deadline. See our Speed Post charges guide for the regular rates.
How to Book 24 Speed Post — Step by Step
The counter is the reliable route for individual senders right now. Here's how to get it right the first time.
Find an identified booking post office
Use the "Locate Us" option in the 24/48 Speed Post section of indiapost.gov.in, or call your nearest head post office and ask: "Do you book 24 Speed Post here?" Don't assume your local branch does.
Reach the counter before 4 PM
Retail bookings must be made by 4:00 PM at identified post offices. Business Post Centres with direct bagging can accept bulk customers' articles until 6:00 PM. Postal circles may also extend the cut-off to 6:00 PM at some booking offices, so ask at yours. Booking after the cut-off is one of the listed reasons a refund can be refused.
Don't plan on reaching at 3:55 PM. Queues are real. Aim for the morning or early afternoon.
Write a complete address and the recipient's mobile number
Delivery is OTP-verified, so the receiver's mobile number matters more than ever. Write the full address with the correct PIN code (see how to write a Speed Post address). An incorrect or incomplete address cancels your money-back protection.
Say clearly which service you want
Ask for "24 Speed Post", "24 Speed Post Parcel" or "48 Speed Post" by name. If you just say "Speed Post", you'll get regular Speed Post. Before you pay, check the receipt shows the premium service and the right charge.
Keep the receipt — it's your refund proof
The receipt has the consignment number and your booking details. If delivery is late, you'll need it for the claim. Take a photo of it on your phone the moment you get it.
What about Click and Book, the Post Office app, or pickup?
India Post's Click and Book online booking and its Post Office app can book regular Speed Post. India Post hasn't clearly said whether retail customers can book 24 or 48 Speed Post through them. Open the booking screen and see if the premium option appears for your PIN codes. If it doesn't, go to the counter.
Free pickup is offered to bulk and corporate customers, along with Buy Now Pay Later credit, centralised billing and API integration. An individual sending one envelope should plan to go to the post office.
How OTP Delivery Works for the Receiver
OTP verification comes free with 24 Speed Post. India Post's FAQ describes it as "complimentary OTP verification for secure handover". The postman won't hand over the article until the right person gives the code.
Before delivery
You get SMS alerts for booking, out for delivery and other status changes. Keep your phone on and off DND. Under the internal guidelines, premium articles go out for delivery from about noon and can be delivered until 8 PM.
At the door
Tell the postman the OTP you received by SMS. Once it's entered, the article is handed over and marked delivered.
If you won't be home
Share the OTP only with someone you trust to receive it for you. If no one is available, the delivery fails, and "customer unavailable at the address" is one of the reasons a refund can be denied.
If you see a failed attempt on tracking, our guide on what to do after "Delivery Attempted" walks you through getting the article quickly.
Money-Back Guarantee — How to Claim a Refund If It's Late
If 24 Speed Post isn't delivered the next day, India Post's FAQ promises a full postage refund, "claimable online within 7 days". Here's how to actually get it.
1. Confirm it really is late
Track the consignment number on SpeedIndiaPost.com. Compare the booking date with the delivered date. Booked Monday before 4 PM and delivered Wednesday? That's a missed D+1.
2. File within 7 days
The sender files the claim online on India Post's customer portal or mobile app. If you can't do it online, submit a physical claim form at the booking or delivery post office. The deadline is 7 calendar days from the committed delivery date, not from the day it finally arrived. The policy says the system automatically rejects claims filed after that.
3. Give the details that prove your case
Include the consignment number, the service booked (24 Speed Post), the booking post office, the booking date and time, the amount paid, and the actual delivery date. Attach the photo of your receipt. For a paper claim, the policy also asks for a copy of your ID proof. Approved refunds are paid into your bank account, so keep those details ready.
4. Wait for settlement, appeal if needed
The policy commits to settling claims within 7 working days. If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to the appellate authority, which is meant to decide within 15 days.
Sample complaint wording
Subject: Refund claim — 24 Speed Post delivered late, consignment no. [your number]
I booked the above article as 24 Speed Post at [post office name] on [date] at [time], before the 4 PM cut-off, and paid ₹[amount]. It was due for delivery on [D+1 date] but was delivered on [actual date] / has not been delivered. Please refund the full postage as per the 24 Speed Post money-back guarantee. Receipt attached. Mobile: [number].
No refund in these cases:
- • Incorrect or incomplete address
- • Recipient not available at the address
- • Booked after the cut-off time, or outside the designated PIN codes
- • Force majeure events (natural calamities, political disturbances, curfew and similar)
- • Article held or delayed by law enforcement or for statutory compliance
- • Prohibited items, or parcels booked with a false declaration of contents
Lost or damaged articles are handled differently from late ones. The compensation policy pays double the Speed Post charges or ₹1,000, whichever is less. For the general complaint process, see our Speed Post complaint guide.
Regular Speed Post vs 24 vs 48 — Which Should You Use?
| Regular Speed Post | 48 Speed Post | 24 Speed Post | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Every PIN code in India | Six metros, between cities | Six metros, local and between cities |
| Delivery promise | No guaranteed delivery day | D+2, guaranteed | D+1, guaranteed |
| 50 g letter, outstation | ₹47 | ₹61 | ₹94 |
| Sunday/holiday delivery | Not promised | Not stated by India Post | Yes (except 3 national holidays) |
| Refund if late | India Post's policy lists Speed Post charges as compensation for delay | Yes | Yes, full postage |
Pay for 24 Speed Post when…
- • A document must reach tomorrow: a signed agreement, a tender, a visa or bank paper with a fixed date.
- • It has to arrive on a Sunday or holiday.
- • You want OTP proof that the right person received it.
Stick with regular Speed Post when…
- • The sender or receiver is outside the cities served. Phase 1 covered only the six metros, so check the latest list first.
- • A couple of extra days won't hurt. Regular Speed Post between metros is often quick anyway (see Speed Post delivery time).
- • You're sending a heavy parcel above 5 kg.
Honestly, 48 Speed Post is the one many people overlook. For a 50 g letter between metros, it costs ₹14 more than regular Speed Post, and you get a guaranteed second-day deadline with a money-back promise. If your deadline is the day after tomorrow, that's the smart buy.
Track Your 24 or 48 Speed Post
Premium articles have a consignment number just like regular Speed Post, and India Post offers end-to-end online tracking with SMS alerts. Enter it on SpeedIndiaPost.com to see where it is and when it was delivered. That delivery time is also your evidence if you need to claim a refund. Not sure what a status means? Check our tracking status guide.
Track Your Consignment NowFrequently Asked Questions
What to Do Now
Sending today? Check that both cities are on the current list, then call your head post office to confirm they book 24 Speed Post. Get there well before 4 PM.
At the counter: ask for the service by name, put the receiver's mobile number on the article, and photograph your receipt.
Tell the receiver to keep their phone on for the OTP and to be available until evening on the delivery day.
Next day: track it on SpeedIndiaPost.com. If it isn't delivered on time, file the refund claim straight away and don't let the 7-day window run out.
Outside the cities served? Use regular Speed Post. Our how to send Speed Post guide covers every step.
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