Guidelines for issue of Commemorative stamps from India Post

In this post, I am going to talk about the guidlines set by India post for itself in issuing commemorative stamps. Its a different matter that they dont really follow their own rules. In my next coming posst you will see how India post made mockery of these rules. Below, I am going to just re-iterate these rules given in "Handbook on Philately".

Rule 72

1. The subject of issue of stamp must be a theme of relevance to the nation, its policies and issues of concern.


2. Proposals should be taken up well in advance about two years before the proposed due date of issue along with full details to enable proper examination and obtaining recommendations of the Philatelic Advisory Committee.
   


3. A stamp on a living personality may not be issued.


4. The personalities on whom commemorative stamp may be issue should be of national or international importance. The occasion to be commemorated must be the birth centenary or 10th /25th /50th /100th death anniversary. To ensure objective assessment of the proposal no stamp will be issued sooner than ten years after individual's death; only exceptions made will be in the case of deceased heads of State.


5. Not more than one stamp may be issued on the same personality/monument/building/institution or organization.


6. A stamp on an institution, building, monument etc. may be issued on its centenary/125th anniversary /150th anniversary etc. The bulding, institution to be so honored must be Heritage Preservation site of national/international importance. Building of regional importance may be commemorated with issue of special cover with special cancellation.


7. Events of very important national or international character only may be considered for issue of the stamp. Events of regional significance may be commemorated through issue of a special cover with special cancellation.


8. Stamps may not be issued to honour commercial, political or sectarian organizations.


9. Stamps may not be issued to honour institutions or individuals whose main achievements are confined to the field of religion.


10. Stamps may not be issued to honour schools, colleges, libraries, hospitals, municipalities, cities or similar institution due to the limitation placed in the annual stamp issue programmer and the vast number of such things. It would be difficult to single out one for commemoration.


11. Out of the commemorative/special stamps issues every year, those on personalities should not normally exceed 25%. Further, at least 25% stamps every year should be on popular themes like flora and fauna, arts and culture etc. These stamps will be issued under the series "Heritage India" and "Nature India"

Do you want to recommend stamp on any personality/event/institution/organization etc. ??: Here is the proforma for the issue of Commemorative stamps.