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Postcard

  1. Postcards may be transmitted by post, if it shall conform to the following conditions, namely:
    1. The postage shall be prepaid in full;
    2. The weight of the post card shall not exceed five grams;
    3. Their dimensions shall be 140 mm × 90 mm and they shall have the legend, "Post Card" written in Hindi or English or printed on the address side;
    4. As regards substance, they shall be neither thinner nor more flexible than the post cards issued by the Post Office;
    5. No post card shall be folded, enclosed in any cover, cut or otherwise altered except that the impressed postage stamp (if any) may be perforated with initials;
    6. The right-hand of the address-side of a postcard is in all cases reserved for the address of the recipient, for the postage stamp or impression of stamping machine necessary for prepayment, which may, so far as possible, be affixed in the upper right-hand corner, and for the postal directions but the left hand half of the address-side, as well as the back, may be used by the sender for the purpose of a communication or single colour or multi colour printed advertisement and address of the sender may be written on top left-hand corner of back, or may be otherwise disposed of, subject to the restriction mentioned in sub-regulation (g):

      Provided that a small space marked off by lines or minute dots to indicate the place where the postage stamp is to be affixed, shall be allowed on the upper right-hand corner of the address-side of postcards;

    7. Nothing shall be attached to a post card except-
      1. Stamps in payment of postage or other postal fees which shall be affixed only to the address side of the post card;
      2. A gummed label completely adherent to the card, and bearing the name and address of the person to whom the card is sent;
      3. A similar label not exceeding 50 mm in length and 20 mm in width bearing the name and address of the sender of the card; and
      4. Engravings, illustrations, drawings and photographs on very thin paper and completely adherent to the card.

      Provided that the items specified in sub-clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be affixed either to the back or the left-hand half of the address side.

    Explanation

    For the purposes of this regulation, "Post card" means an open communication on a rectangular card of prescribed size, having a stamp of the prescribed value impressed on it.

  2. In case of infringement of any of the conditions specified as above, the postcard shall be treated as a letter and charged on delivery with double the deficiency between the postage already paid for such postcard and the postage payable for a letter subject to a minimum of one rupee, and where such amount is a part of a rupee containing paise, the amount shall be increased to one rupee.
  3. The rates of postage chargeable on postcard shall be as mentioned in Table I of Schedule I of Post Office Regulations, 2024.