Tracking ordinary mail sent through post offices is now possible, ending the long-standing uncertainty over whether such mail has reached its destination. The Department of Posts has introduced barcode-based tracking for unaccountable mail, allowing its movement to be monitored digitally, said Krishna Kumar Yadav, Postmaster General, North Gujarat Region, Ahmedabad.
Yadav said the initiative is part of the Department’s modernization drive through the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) 2.0 application. Unaccountable mail—including letters, newspapers, magazines, government communications, and similar items—accounts for nearly 90 crore articles annually, making it the largest segment of postal traffic. Until now, these articles had no digital record and could not be tracked individually. Their volume was estimated through manual counts conducted twice a year, a process that was time-consuming and often inaccurate.
Under the new system, every unaccountable mail article will be assigned a barcode and digitally recorded in the APT 2.0 application.
Once it reaches the destination post office, postmen will deliver it using the Dak Sewa App, ensuring the entire process is managed digitally. The system will provide real-time data on mail movement, enabling better monitoring across the postal network.The Department has also urged bulk mailers to print the allotted barcode series directly on mail articles or affix pre-printed barcodes before booking.
They have been advised to submit booking data in Microsoft Excel format to enable faster, error-free processing. The move is expected to streamline mail handling, improve transparency, and promote automation.
According to Yadav, the barcode-based induction and invoicing system will strengthen transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency. The digital records generated will support better planning, resource allocation, and service improvements while contributing to the Department of Posts’ ongoing modernization and digital transformation efforts.