Department of Posts launches drone-based mail between Mandi and Rehardhar in Himachal Pradesh
From 12 June 2026, the Department of Posts began drone-based transmission of mail and parcels between Mandi Head Post Office and Rehardhar Branch Post Office in Himachal Pradesh, cutting transit time to about seven minutes.
Summary
The Department of Posts launched drone-based transmission of mail and parcels between Mandi Head Post Office and Rehardhar Branch Post Office in Himachal Pradesh, effective from 12 June 2026, as announced by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Rehardhar, about 12 km from Mandi, takes over two hours to reach by conventional arrangements; drones cut this to about seven minutes. The Department plans drone mail on around 150 identified routes in Himachal Pradesh and Assam over the next two to three months.
Key facts
- Route
- Mandi Head Post Office – Rehardhar Branch Post Office, Himachal Pradesh
- Start
- 12 June 2026
- Distance
- About 12 km
- Transit time
- Over 2 hours → about 7 minutes
- Expansion
- ~150 routes in Himachal Pradesh and Assam in 2–3 months
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Between which two post offices did the Department of Posts launch drone-based mail transmission from 12 June 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Mandi HPO and Rehardhar BO
The service runs between Mandi Head Post Office and Rehardhar Branch Post Office in Himachal Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the Department of Posts drone mail initiative (June 2026): 1. Drone transmission has cut the Mandi–Rehardhar transit time from over two hours to about seven minutes. 2. Drone mail is planned on around 150 routes in Himachal Pradesh and Assam over the next two to three months. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Both 1 and 2
Both are stated in the Ministry of Communications release.