Army Postal Service - A brief History

Origin of APS dates back to 1856 when the first FPO accompanied the British Expeditionary forces to Persia. FPOs continued to be requisitioned by the Army from the Dept of Posts to accompany Expeditionary Forces till World War I. During World War II volunteers from the Dept of P & T were drawn as combatants to run the FPOs. In 1947 when Indian troops were rushed to J & K, the handful of personnel, who remained with the occupation forces in Japan, were sent to provide postal services to the troops. This group germinated into the present Army Postal Service. 

Initially the organisation was affiliated to the ASC. In Mar 1972, APS was formed into a separate Corps.

Events before Independence

1856

First FPO raised to accompany the British Expeditionary Force to Persia.

  

1867

Inter FPO Mail was postage free mail exchanged between FPOs.

  

1882

Regular FPOs within India.

  

1914

World War-1, Army Postal Service joined the War and accompanied various forces continued to function till 1923.

 1941

Army Postal Directorate formed in QMG's Branch C/O 56 APO was raised.

  

1946

Army Postal Service Centre was raised at Kamptee.

Events after Independence

1947

1 CBPO was raised in New Delhi.

  

1964

2 CBPO was raised at Kolkata.

  

1969

SDS handed over to APS.

  

1970

The Philatelic Bureau started functioning in APS from 18 Jul 1970. These are functioning at 1 CBPO and 2 CBPO to cater to the needs of Armed Forces personal and their families. This Bureau is the special cancellation of special cover is done by "56 APO" and "99 APO" respectively.

  

1972

APS Corps emerged as Independent Corps.

  

1973

First Re-union of APS was held in Mar.

  

1975

APS took over the Postal Life Insurance work relating to the insurants of Defence Services from DD PLI Calcutta.

  

1978

(a)   Post Office Savings Bank facilities introduced in full to Defence services personals through Field Post Office.

  

(b)   Central Base Post Offices (CBPO) will perform all functions of Head Post Offices and Addl Directorate Gen APS exercise the powers and functioning of a Postal Circle wilth regard to this item of work.

  

(c)   Technology Induction-RD computerization at 1 CBPO from 1986 and at 2 CBPO from the year 1991.

 (d)   Minimum essential hardware supplied to all FPOs and counter operations of FPO have been computerized.

  

(e)   Sanchay Post software for SB operation installed in 275 FPOs. This is being installed in the remaining FPOs shortly.

  

1980

Second Re-union of APS was held in Dec.

 1990

Automation of APO Tele Centre was launched.

  

1991

Third Re-union of APS was held in Jan.

  

1994

Speed Post introduced in APS. A time bound and guaranteed service of the department of Posts is now available in FPOs. All FPOs are linked with the 157 National Speed Post Centres. Speed Post articles are dispatched to the destination by air.

  

1995

VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) commissioned at 1 CBPO for transmission of MOs electronically and in 2 CBPO in the year 1996.

  

1997

Fourth Re-union of APS was held in Jan.

  

1998

Computer Facility commissioned at APS Centre.

1999

Express Parcel Post a premium product of the department of Post launched in APS during this Year. Fast, economic and guaranteed way to sent parcels.

  

2004

(a)   Fifth Re-union of APS was held in Jan.

   

(b)   ePost service introduced up to CBPO level from Dept of Posts.

 (c)   APS Vision Perspective Plan of APS Corps. In this vision APS will be economically managed organization , offering a wide range of Postal Services, Financial Services, SDS and Logistic Support to all Formation and Units of the Indian Army by making extensive use of the available technology and well trained man power to enhance the user satisfaction to the level of absolute.

  

2005

(a)   Department of Posts allotted PIN block for all Army units in India for use in APS. The PIN codes scheme introduced in APS to enable FPOs and CBPOs to hand over the troops mail and other technology based products and services efficiently.

   

(b)   Pin Block "9" allocated to APS operations. Units and stations were identigfied with unique PIN identifications.

  

(c)   A V Singh Committee recommendations on Time Bound Promotions were made applicable for APS Officers.

 2006

(a)   Intelligent Networking PCOs installed in most of the FPOs and India Telephone Cards (ITC) are available in all FPOs.

 2007

(a)   Field Postal Orders (FPOr), a cost effective remittance facility that will meet the remittance needs of the soldiers was launched with a view to mitigate the hardship being faced by the troops and also to provide a convenient remittance facility to the troops.

  

(b)   Services of 847 Sep Packers on deputation from Dept of Posts were regularised in their parent recruiting unit.

2008

(a)   Pack Post has introduced on experimental basis through selected 100 FPOs wef 22 Feb 08.

 (b)   Library Post has been introduced w.e.f 07 Apr 08.

  

(c)   ePost service has been launched in APS w.e.f 15 May 08.

  

2009

(a)   Speed Post Envelopes introduced under post from 28 Jan 09.

  

(b)   Introduction of Express Parcel Post w.e.f 01 May 09.

  

(c)   Library Post 'Pay on receipt' introduced from 06 Aug 09.

  

(d)   Electronic Money (eMO) introduced w.e.f 24 Aug 09.

 2010

(a)   Speednet version introduced in all ePost Centre/SBPOs/CBPOs w.e.f 27 Jan 10.

  

(b)   Booking of MOs of Non eMO FPOs at eMO FPO w.e.f 08 Sep 10.

  

2011

(a)   Introduction of 'Debit Army ePost' at FPOs w.e.f 02 May 11.

 (b)   Introduction of Flat rate Parcel (Domestic) w.e.f 13 May 11.

  

(c)   From 01 Oct 11 there will be no limit for retaining balance in single as well as joint saving account.  The rate of interest increased from 3.5% to 4% w.e.f 01 Dec 11.

  

(d)   Kisan Vikas Patra discontinued w.e.f 01 Dec 11.

  

(e)   Revision of maturity period (for 5 years) and maturity value of 6 years National Savings certificates (NSC)VIII issue w.e.f 01 Dec 11.

  

(f)   Revision of maximum limit of PPF account from Rs 70,000/- to Rs 1,00,000/- w.e.f 01 Dec 11.  The rate of interests 8.6% per annum.

  

(g)   Introduction of new scheme called "National Saving Certificate (IX-issue) Rules-2011" w.e.f 01 Dec 11.

  

(h)   Revision of rate of interest of Time deposit accounts effective from 01 Dec 11.

 (j)   Revision of maturity period, rate of interest and discontinuation of 5% bonus on maturity of MIS account scheme w.e.f 01 Dec 11.

  

2012

(a)    Revision in Interest rates of Small Savings Schemes w.e.f. 01 Apr 2012.

  

(b)    Maximum limit of insuring lives under Postal Life Insurance has been enhanced to 20 Lakh (aggregate in respect of one class / all classes of Insurance policy(s) taken together whereas children policy limit will remain the same).

Courtesy : http://indianarmy.nic.in