Tamil Nadu Launches Philately Passport - Explore 58 Heritage and Tourist Destinations

Tamil Nadu has introduced a unique tourism initiative called the Philately Passport, encouraging people to explore the state`s historical landmarks, heritage sites, temples and popular tourist destinations through stamp collecting. Launched by the Tamil Nadu Postal Circle on October 28, 2026, this initiative makes Tamil Nadu the second state in India to introduce the special passport after Karnataka.

Unlike an ordinary passport used for international travel, the Philately Passport is a commemorative booklet that allows travellers to collect special postal cancellations from different destinations across the state.

Currently, Tamil Nadu has 58 Permanent Pictorial Cancellations (PPCs) available at selected locations. Each cancellation features a unique pictorial design representing the identity, heritage or importance of a particular place. Visitors can obtain these special postal impressions at the respective local post offices and collect them in their Philately Passports.

The initiative was initially introduced by the Karnataka Postal Circle and received an encouraging response from stamp collectors and travel enthusiasts. Following its success, Tamil Nadu has now introduced this concept to promote tourism and revive interest in philately.

The Philately Passport was made available at Philatelic Bureaus in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and Puducherry. Stamp collectors from neighbouring states, including Karnataka and Kerala, also showed interest in purchasing the passport on its launch day.

By combining tourism, history and stamp collecting, India Post aims to encourage people to visit all 58 locations and preserve memories of their journeys through unique postal stamps.