The Indian military relies heavily on the Army Postal Service (APS) to keep communications running smoothly. After its founding in 1856, the APS has changed and progressed to accommodate the ever-changing requirements of military personnel on a global scale.
Historical Overview
When the first Field Post Office (FPO) travelled to Persia with the British Expeditionary Army in 1856, the APS was born. The Army often requested FPOs from the Postal Service during WWI. During World War II, the Department of Posts and Telegraphs enlisted volunteers as combatants to oversee these FPOs. Although it had its roots in the Army Service Corps, the APS eventually became its corps in March 1972.
Organizational Structure
Sena Dak Bhawan in New Delhi is the home of the APS, which is run by the Ministry of Defence. Major General MK Khan, VSM is now serving as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the service. The ADG is aided by a Brigadier in the position of Deputy Director General. In the APS, you’ll find two CBDOs or Central Base Post Offices:
- 1 CBPO (56 APO): Located in New Delhi, established in 1947.
- 2 CBPO (99 APO): Situated in Kolkata, raised in 1964.
These CBPOs serve as the nodal points for mail processing and distribution across various formations.
Services Offered
The APS provides a comprehensive range of services to the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces, including:
- Postal Facilities: Monitoring the timely dispatch and delivery of correspondence.
- Protocols for the regular and methodical distribution of mail are known as scheduled dispatch services.
- Remittance Services: Enabling personnel to conduct financial transactions.
- Sainik Samachar Patra Seva: The distribution of official military publications.
- Enrolment Centers for Permanent Aadhaar (PAEC): On July 25, 2023, the Indian Army’s inaugural PAEC was inaugurated at 1 CBPO, New Delhi, in a significant development. Through 48 designated Field Post Offices nationwide, this joint effort between the Indian Department of Posts and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will provide Aadhaar-related services to members of the tri-services and their families.
Security and Mobility
The ability to keep unit positions secret is one of the APS’s distinctive capabilities. To maintain operational security and continuity of communication, military units maintain constant postal addresses even when they relocate.
Leadership Timeline
There have been several outstanding officers who have presided over the APS and helped it evolve and expand over the years. Notable dates in the timeline comprise:
| Name | From | To |
| Brigadier DS Virk, AVSM | 1 March 1972 | 10 March 1972 |
| Brigadier OP Raghava, AVSM | 13 March 1972 | 30 December 1978 |
| Major General SK Anand, AVSM | 1 January 1979 | 31 May 1989 |
| Major General SP Chopra, VSM | 1 June 1989 | 31 March 1993 |
| Major General BP Das, AVSM | 25 May 1993 | 1 November 1996 |
| Major General KK Srivastava, VSM | 14 December 1996 | 29 March 2001 |
| Major General RS Kareer | 30 March 2001 | 30 September 2002 |
| Major General SK Sen, VSM | 1 October 2002 | 31 May 2004 |
| Major General V Sadasivam, VSM | 1 June 2004 | 24 February 2010 |
| Major General ARA Sah | 18 June 2010 | 15 September 2011 |
| Major General AK Shori | 10 October 2011 | 31 March 2015 |
| Major General Meena Datta | 21 October 2015 | 21 December 2018 |
| Major General PS Negi | 22 December 2018 | 22 December 2019 |
| Major General DV Mahesh, VSM | 24 December 2019 | 19 January 2022 |
| Major General MK Khan, VSM | 17 February 2022 | Present |
Conclusion
As the requirements for military communication change over time, the Army Postal Service continues to evolve and become an essential part of India’s defence system. The construction of Aadhaar centres and other ongoing efforts highlight its determination to efficiently service the nation’s armed services. It also has a strong history of doing so.