India Post, with its sprawling network of over 155,000 post offices, is a go-to for everything from Speed Post to National Savings Certificates (NSC) and banking services via the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). Knowing the exact timings, including lunch breaks, helps you plan visits for mail, savings, or financial transactions. This guide provides a clear breakdown of Indian Post Office timings for 2025, including a table of weekday and weekend hours, lunch breaks, holiday closures, and practical tips to make your experience seamless.
Indian Post Office Timings: Weekdays and Weekends
Indian Post Office hours vary by location (urban vs. rural) and type (Head Post Office, Sub-Post Office, or Branch Post Office). Below is a table summarizing standard operating hours and lunch breaks for weekdays (Monday to Friday) and weekends (Saturday, as Sundays are typically closed) in 2025.
|
Day Type |
Operating Hours |
Lunch Break |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Weekdays (Mon-Fri) |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM |
Urban Head Post Offices (e.g., Mumbai GPO) may operate 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Rural branches may close at 3:00 PM. |
|
Saturday |
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
Some rural branches close by 2:00 PM. Night post offices may extend to 8:00 PM. |
|
Sunday |
Closed |
N/A |
Select GPOs (e.g., Mumbai, Delhi) open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM for Speed Post or stamp sales. |
Key Variations
-
Head Post Offices (HPOs) and GPOs: In cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, HPOs like Mumbai GPO operate from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays, with Saturday hours up to 6:00 PM. Sunday services, where available, are limited to 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for specific transactions.
-
Sub-Post Offices: Common in towns, these typically follow 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays with a 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM lunch break, and shorter Saturday hours (e.g., 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM).
-
Branch Post Offices: In rural areas, hours may be 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, with a 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM lunch break, and limited Saturday hours (e.g., 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM).
-
Lunch Breaks: Urban offices often stagger breaks to keep counters open, while rural branches may pause services entirely during lunch.
After-Hours Access
For those with tight schedules, India Post offers extended services:
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Night Post Offices: Select offices, like Kolkata’s AMPC, operate until 8:30 PM or 24/7 (except on major holidays like Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti) for Speed Post, registered mail, and stamps.
-
Speed Post: Bookings are accepted until 8:00 PM at major GPOs, but regular post offices stop an hour before closing (e.g., 4:00 PM for a 5:00 PM close). Book before 2:00 PM for same-day processing.
-
IPPB Banking: Transactions like NEFT/RTGS are available from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, while IMPS is 24/7 via the IPPB app.
-
Postal ATMs: Available 24/7 at select locations for cash withdrawals.
Post Office Holidays in 2025
Post offices are closed on Sundays and public holidays, which often align with national and regional festivals. Below is the expected holiday schedule for 2025, based on national holidays and the NSE holiday list, as these typically overlap. Check indiapost.gov.in for regional variations (e.g., Pongal in Tamil Nadu).
|
Date |
Holiday Name |
Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
|
January 26, 2025 |
Republic Day |
Sunday* |
|
March 14, 2025 |
Holi |
Friday |
|
March 31, 2025 |
Ram Navami |
Monday |
|
April 10, 2025 |
Mahavir Jayanti |
Thursday |
|
April 18, 2025 |
Good Friday |
Friday |
|
May 1, 2025 |
Maharashtra Day |
Thursday** |
|
August 15, 2025 |
Independence Day |
Friday |
|
August 27, 2025 |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
Wednesday** |
|
October 2, 2025 |
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti |
Thursday |
|
October 21, 2025 |
Diwali Laxmi Pujan |
Tuesday |
|
November 5, 2025 |
Diwali Balipratipada |
Wednesday |
|
November 19, 2025 |
Guru Nanak Jayanti |
Wednesday |
|
December 25, 2025 |
Christmas |
Thursday |
-
Note: Republic Day on a Sunday doesn’t affect weekday operations.
-
Regional Holidays: Maharashtra Day and Ganesh Chaturthi mainly impact Maharashtra post offices.
Tips for a Smooth Post Office Visit
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Verify Local Hours: Check indiapost.gov.in or call 1800-266-6868 (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except Sundays/holidays) for your branch’s schedule.
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Skip Peak Times: Avoid month-ends, post-holiday days, or pension disbursement periods (first week of the month). Visit between 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM or 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM for shorter queues.
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Use Digital Tools: Track parcels or access IPPB services via the India Post app or website to save time.
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Prepare for Services: Bring ID proof and forms for NSC, KVP, or banking transactions.
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Speed Post Timing: Book before 2:00 PM for same-day dispatch at most branches.
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Evening Needs: Visit night post offices or urban GPOs for after-hours services.
Visit : https://postofficefd.com/
Also visit : https://www.indiapost.gov.in/