Philately is a delightful hobby that sharpens   and satisfies your aesthetic tastes. While  expanding   your knowledge of and interaction with the world you live in, you get to know interesting details of politics, history , prominent personalities, national and international events, geography, flora and fauna, agriculture, science, monuments,  soldiers,     warriors, scientists,  arms  and ammunition, modes of transport etc. This  process of learning becomes   more   delightful   through    visuals and brief write-ups. In  addition, philately cultivates a meticulous and focused attention to detail. It also  helps   you  to   make friends across boundaries and age limits.

Both  mint -  stamps  (unused  stamps)  and   used   stamps   can be collected. These can be  collected year-wise   , nation-wise   or    theme-wise. To make this easier and more attractive to beginners, philatelists generally  advise  you  to  collect  stamps  according   to  a   selection  of   your   choice   called a  Thematic Collection. Themes may be flowers,   birds,   animals,   architecture, railways, monuments, Red Cross etc... Definitive stamps  and   stationery   can   also be collected as a theme. The bottom line is that the collection unfolds various aspects of a theme like a story.

There   are   commemorative     and  definitive stamps. Commemorative stamps are issued, as the name suggests,    to commemorate important events, prominent  personalities in various fields, aspects of nature, beautiful  or    rare flora and fauna, environmental issues, agricultural activities, national/international issues, games   etc.   These   stamps   are   only available at Philatelic Bureaux and counters or under the Philatelic Deposit  Account  Scheme. They  are    printed in limited quantities. 

    Definitive  stamps on the other hand, are   used   for   day - to -  day  postal  mailing    purposes and are available in various ascending denominations from 20 paisa onwards at all postal counters.

Do not  throw away letters that you receive. You can collect used up stamps through them. These can be detached delicately from the postal articles.   Rinse   in   a   shallow dish of water, using your hands or a soft brush.   Carefully   dry   them  in a dark place as  the ultra violet rays of sunlight can damage the colours.  It is also   valuable   to   retain  stamps   along with the envelopes on which they are pasted as this authenticates their use.

        Mint   stamps  are available at Philatelic Bureaux and Counters in the designated post   offices, details of which will be available at your nearest Head Post Office. You may   like to get. in touch with local philatelists who   can   perhaps   guide   your   interest.   Make  pen - friends  both in the country and abroad -you will  be surprised at the number of people who share your interest.

        Albums are available at leading Book and Stationery stores   and   with   philatelists.   Pasting   stamps ruins them. Use paper hinges or "havids" to place them in a album. Plastic strip albums are now available and are ideal to use for beginners.  Handle  stamps   with  pincers to avoid smudging or damaging them in any way with your fingers.

Philatelic material includes -

   Mint stamps (unused stamps)

   First Day Covers (FDCs, which are issued with every commemorative stamp )

   Brochure (Information sheet accompanying each commemorative stamp )

   Collectors' Packs, year-wise

   Miniature/Souvenir sheets which are sometime issued with

   Commemorative stamps.

   Catalogue of Postage Stamps of India since 1947 

Philatelic Bureaux function in 59 Head Post Offices at  Circle   Head   Offices   or   in   major district towns.

-They  carry   out  sale   of philatelic items to individuals, dependent   counters    and  authorised Post offices.

-Philatelic Deposit Accounts can be opened at  these Bureaus.

-Philatelic counters supply all philatelic items but are   not   authorised  to  issue the Special Cancellation that accompanies each commemorative stamp.

-They   provide a standard "First Day of Issue" cancellation on first day cover. Authorised   offices  only  sell commemorative/special stamps, blank first day covers and brochures.

Please write to tilak@indiapost.gov.in  

Periodically   a  catalogue of Indian Postage Stamps from   1947   onwards   is   updated   and   is   made available   for   sale   from the Philatelic Bureaux. If you need it from abroad,  please   contact   the   Director, Mumbai GPO, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

        Many   queries  are received from beginners particularly, seeking guidance   for   starting   a collection of postage   stamps.   You   may   wish to obtain information or consult the    Philatelic   Congress   of   India   at sahadevas@yahoo.com.The Department of Posts is   not,   however,   responsible   for the information etc. supplied by the Philatelic Congress   of   India  as the Department does not handle the secondary market in Philately.

Re- production of stamps is   allowed   for   illustration   purposes   in  Philatelic  Publication or in an article relating  wholly   on   postage   stamps   which   may appear in any magazine, newspaper or publication of a general character. Such reproduction  should   however , be  only in black. If stamps are to be   produced  in colour for publicity   purposes, prior permission   of   the   Director General of   Posts    must  be obtained. To avoid similarity with    the  postage , such  reproduction must  be distinctively in smaller  or   larger sizes than  the actual stamp  and must be  without perforation on the edges. Further, across bar   will also be placed on one- corner of the stamp, obliterating the denomination. It must be noted that   reproduction  of  the  stamp  in  colour of the actual size   of   the   stamp   with   perforation of the edges may be deemed   to   be   taken   as  production of the actual stamp".      

A   philatelic publication, titled "India's Freedom Struggle through India Postage   Stamps" brought out by the Department of Posts, India, in Hindi and English is now  available   for   sale  at the Philatelic Bureaux for INR 500/- with 40% discount. However, packing and forwarding charges will be paid in advance with the cost of the Book   by    the   purchaser.   Charges   payable   within     India on account of forwarding by registered letters are INR 220/- and by registered parcels are INR 60/- .The net amount   may  be    remitted    by   Money Order or demand draft ( not cheque) after deducting the admissible  discount   and  adding the packing and forwarding charges. For registered letters,  therefore,   the  total amount is INR 520/- and for registered parcel INR 360/-.  

     For   over - seas   orders,  the  net  amount  of  INR 830/-   for   countries falling in  Category-I and INR 1070/- for countries falling in Category-1I is required to be   remitted   to   Mumbai   GPO   only, who is authorised to handle such orders.