India is a sovereign country located in South Asia. With an estimated population of over 1.437 billion, it is the most populous country in the world. Its land area is 3,287,263 km², making it the seventh largest country on the planet.
It borders the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east, along a coastline of over 7,517 kilometers. India also borders Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. India is also located near the islands of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia. Its capital is New Delhi, and its most populous city is Mumbai.
The cradle of the Indus Valley culture[15] and a historic region for its trade routes and great empires, the Indian subcontinent has been known for its cultural and commercial wealth for much of its long history. Hinduism (Sanātana Dharma), Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism originated there, while other religions such as Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam arrived during the first millennium, shaping the diverse cultures of the region.
India lies within the Indomalayan ecozone, thus presenting a rich biodiversity. As one of the seventeen megadiverse countries, it is home to 7.6% of all mammals, 12.6% of all birds, 6.2% of all reptiles, 4.4% of all amphibians, 11.7% of all fish, and 6% of the world's seagrasses.
Extremely high levels of endemism exist in many of the country's ecoregions; overall, 33% of India's plant species are endemic.
Many Indian species are descendants of taxa originating in Gondwana, from which the Indian plate broke away. The subsequent movement of the plate toward present-day peninsular India and collision with the Laurasian landmass initiated a massive species interchange. However, volcanism and climate changes 20 million years ago led to the extinction of many endemic Indian species.
Since then, several mammals entered India from Asia through two zoogeographical passes on either side of the emerging Himalayas.
Consequently, among Indian species, only 12.6% of mammals and 4.5% of birds are endemic, compared to 45.8% of reptiles and 55.8% of amphibians.
Notable endemic species include the Nilgiri leaf monkey and the Western Ghats brown and carmine toad. Furthermore, 172, or 2.9%, of these species are threatened in India.
These include the Asiatic lion, the Bengal tiger, and the Bengal vulture, which nearly faced extinction after eating the carrion of cattle treated with diclofenac.
Face value | Family number | English name | Scientific name
1968.01
31.12.1968
Birds
20p
168
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythroryncha
50p
102
Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocoptes auriceps
1r
207
White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps
2r
231
Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja
1971.01
29.04.1971
Ravi Varma
20p
8
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
1973.01
14.11.1973
Indipex 73
3v set
2r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
1973.02
14.11.1973
Indipex 73
Sheet with 4 designs, imp
1973.01
2r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
1975.01
28.04.1975
Indian birds
25p
114
Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura
50p
162
Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus
1r
13
Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus
2r
13
Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus
1975.02
15.07.1975
Definitives
50p
70
Medium Egret Ardea intermedia
1976.01
10.02.1976
Bharatpur bird sanctuary
25p
64
Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
1980.01
01.11.1980
International symposium on bustards
2.30r
23
Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps
1983.01
07.02.1983
International crane workshop
2.85r
32
Siberian Crane Leucogeranus leucogeranus
1983.02
15.09.1983
Natural history society
1r
87
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
1985.01
18.05.1985
Wildlife conservation
2r
8
White-winged Duck Asarcornis scutulata
1988.01
07.10.1988
Wildlife conservation
1r
51
Jerdon's Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus
1989.01
20.12.1989
Wildlife conservation
2r
23
Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus
1991.01
23.06.1991
Antarctic treaty
5r
59
Emperor Penguin Aptenodytes forsteri
6.50r
59
Adelie Penguin Pygoscelis adeliae
1992.01
30.12.1992
Birds of prey
2r
77
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
6r
104
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
8r
78
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus
11r
78
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
1994.01
23.11.1994
Endangered birds
Sheet
1r
8
Andaman Teal Anas albogularis
6r
64
Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana
8r
32
Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis
11r
8
Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea †
1996.01
10.05.1996
Flora and fauna of Himalaya
4v set
5r
13
Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus
With year imprint
1996.02
10.05.1996
Flora and fauna of Himalaya
4v sheet
1996.01
5r
13
Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus
No year imprint
1996.03
02.09.1996
World poultry congress
5r
13
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
1996.04
12.11.1996
Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali
Strip
8r
8
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
and
8
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
11r
64
Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
2000.01
24.05.2000
Migratory birds
3r
224
Rosy Starling Pastor roseus
3r
8
Garganey Spatula querquedula
3r
238
Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus
3r
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
2000.02
20.07.2000
Animal definitives
4v set
1r
32
Sarus Crane Antigone antigone
2000.03
24.08.2000
Indepex Asiana 2000
Sheet
2000.01
3r
224
Rosy Starling Pastor roseus
3r
8
Garganey Spatula querquedula
3r
238
Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus
3r
64
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
2000.04
30.10.2000
Animal definitives
50r
165
Indian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi
2001.01
20.09.2001
Animal definitives
4r
64
Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
2004.01
Animal definitives
Booklet
2001.01
4r
64
Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
2005.01
05.06.2005
World environment day
5r
198
Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps
2006.01
05.10.2006
Endangered birds of India
5r
64
Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius
5r
210
Nilgiri Laughingthrush Montecincla cachinnans
5r
13
Manipur Bush Quail Perdicula manipurensis
5r
23
Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus
2006.02
05.10.2006
Endangered birds of India
4v sheet
2006.01
5r
64
Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius
5r
210
Nilgiri Laughingthrush Montecincla cachinnans
5r
13
Manipur Bush Quail Perdicula manipurensis
5r
23
Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus
2006.03
05.10.2006
Endangered birds of India
Booklet
2006.01
5r
64
Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius
5r
210
Nilgiri Laughingthrush Montecincla cachinnans
5r
13
Manipur Bush Quail Perdicula manipurensis
5r
23
Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus
2006.04
06.11.2006
Himalayan lakes
5v set
5r
13
Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra
2007.01
31.05.2007
National parks (Bandipur, Kaziranga, Periyar)
5v strip
5r
90
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
and
224
Rosy Starling Pastor roseus
5r
13
Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus
5r
43
Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus
2009.01
19.12.2009
Preserve the polar regions and glaciers
2v set
5r
59
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus
and
59
Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua
2009.02
19.12.2009
Preserve the polar regions and glaciers
2v sheet
2009.01
5r
59
Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua
and
59
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus
2009.03
19.12.2009
Preserve the polar regions and glaciers
Booklet
2009.01
5r
59
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus
and
59
Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua
2010.01
05.06.2010
International year of biodiversity
5r
80
Indian Eagle-Owl Bubo bengalensis
20r
78
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
and
8
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
2010.02
05.06.2010
International year of biodiversity
Sheet
2010.01
5r
80
Indian Eagle-Owl Bubo bengalensis
20r
78
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
and
8
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
2010.03
05.06.2010
International year of biodiversity
Booklet
2010.01
5r
80
Indian Eagle-Owl Bubo bengalensis
20r
78
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
and
8
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
2010.04
09.07.2010
Common birds
5r
27
Rock Dove Columba livia
5r
232
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
2010.05
09.07.2010
Common birds
Sheet
2010.04
5r
27
Rock Dove Columba livia
5r
232
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
2011.01
19.12.2011
Goa liberation
5r
52
Pallas's Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
2012.01
16.10.2012
Biodiversity
4v set
5r
9
Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis
25r
210
Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum
2012.02
16.10.2012
Biodiversity
4v sheet
2012.01
5r
9
Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis
25r
210
Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum
2013.01
01.12.2013
Nagaland
5r
87
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
2015.01
03.12.2015
Zoological survey of India
5r
87
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
and
108
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
25r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
2015.02
03.12.2015
Zoological survey of India
Sheet
2015.01
5r
87
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
and
108
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
25r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
2016.01
12.08.2016
Independence day, tourism
25r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
MS
2016.02
17.10.2016
Birds
5r
27
Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica
10r
227
Nilgiri Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudatus
15r
102
Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei
25r
227
Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa
2016.03
17.10.2016
Birds
Sheet
2016.02
5r
27
Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica
10r
227
Nilgiri Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudatus
15r
102
Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei
25r
227
Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa
2016.04
25.11.2016
Exotic birds
5r
107
Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus
5r
107
Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna
10r
107
Hyacinth Macaw Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
10r
107
Sun Parakeet Aratinga solstitialis
15r
106
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita
15r
107
Yellow-headed Amazon Amazona oratrix
2016.05
25.11.2016
Exotic birds
Sheet
2016.04
5r
107
Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus
10r
107
Hyacinth Macaw Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
15r
106
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita
2016.06
25.11.2016
Exotic birds
Sheet
2016.04
5r
107
Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna
10r
107
Sun Parakeet Aratinga solstitialis
15r
107
Yellow-headed Amazon Amazona oratrix
2017.01
25.01.2017
Nature India
6v set
5r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
5r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
With tiger
2017.02
25.01.2017
Nature India
6v sheet
2017.01
5r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
5r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
With tiger
2017.03
18.09.2017
Vulnerable birds
5r
27
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon Columba elphinstonii
5r
200
Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyurus
5r
238
Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis
2017.04
18.09.2017
Vulnerable birds
Sheet
2017.03
5r
27
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon Columba elphinstonii
5r
200
Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyurus
5r
238
Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis
2017.05
30.12.2017
Joint issue with PNG
5r
172
Raggiana Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea raggiana
25r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
2017.06
30.12.2017
Joint issue with PNG
Sheet
2017.05
5r
172
Raggiana Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea raggiana
25r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
2020.01
16.03.2020
Natural sites
5v set
5r
13
Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus
2020.02
16.03.2020
Natural sites
5v sheet
2020.01
5r
13
Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus
2022.01
20.02.2022
Arunachal Pradesh
5r
87
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
2023.01
02.11.2023
Diplomatic relations with Mauritius
25r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
and
104
Mauritius Kestrel Falco punctatus
2023.02
02.11.2023
Diplomatic relations with Mauritius
2023.01
25r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
MS
and
104
Mauritius Kestrel Falco punctatus
2024.01
09.10.2024
Wildlife Institute of India
5r
13
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
Philately has been considered as an "auxiliary science of history" because it is based on the general principles of other sciences, which in turn contribute to enrich it. It acquires knowledge of the sciences, of the arts, of languages and opens an immense road of social relations through all countries. This science broadens broad horizons of culture, discovers artistic temperaments and offers the interest of the new and the unknown, while performing a positive therapeutic wor.
