Are Indian stamps public domain?

It depends on the date. In the archive's reading, Indian stamps are government works protected for 60 years from the end of the year of publication, so stamps issued in 1965 or earlier are public domain in 2026. The cutoff year moves forward each January.

Are British India stamps public domain?

Yes, in the archive's reading. The archive applies a 50-year term for British government works to every stamp issued in India before August 15, 1947, and that term has run out for all of them. Wikimedia Commons says only that such material may fall under that term, so the archive's reading is firmer.

Can I use Indian stamps under India's government open data license?

Possibly, for stamps of the central government. Wikimedia Commons lists India's government open data license as one of two tags for Indian stamps and notes that the tag is under discussion. In the archive's reading, Indian stamps issued in 1965 or earlier are public domain in 2026 regardless.

When will a 1970 Indian stamp be public domain?

On January 1, 2031. In the archive's reading, Indian stamps are government works protected for 60 years counted from the end of the year of publication, so a stamp issued in 1970 stays protected through December 31, 2030.

India

Are India stamps public domain?

Indian stamps issued in 1965 or earlier are public domain, in the archive's reading of Wikimedia Commons. Commons treats stamps as government works, protected 60 years from the end of the publication year, so the cutoff moves forward each January. The archive gives stamps issued before independence a 50-year term; Commons says only they may fall under one.

Why 1965?

Under India's Copyright Act, 1957, copyright in a government work lasts 60 years, counted from the start of the calendar year after first publication.¹ Commons says an official document sets terms for reusing stamps that are not compatible with Commons, so it treats stamps as government works under that 60-year term.¹ It suggests two tags. Commons' license tag for India covers government works on the same count, which in 2026 frees works published before January 1, 1966.² Commons also lists India's government open data license, for works of the central government, and notes the tag is under discussion.¹³ For material issued before independence, Commons says its license tag for British government works published more than 50 years ago may apply.¹⁴ The archive's reading is firmer than Commons' "may be": it applies the 50-year term to every stamp issued before August 15, 1947, a date the archive chose, since Commons says only "before independence."

Postal history and copyright

According to Wikipedia, Asia's first adhesive stamp, the Scinde Dawk, was issued in Sind in 1852 under the East India Company, and stamps valid throughout India followed in October 1854.⁵ Several princely states kept their own postal systems, and some issued stamps for use within their borders.⁵ Commons notes that the 1957 act replaced the Indian Copyright Act, 1914, which was based on the British act of 1911, and did not restore copyright that had already ended.¹² Commons' note on stamps mentions issues before independence only through its tag for British government works and does not address the stamps of the princely states; the question is open.

References 5

↑ Copyright rules for India. Wikimedia Commons, September 3, 2026. Accessed October 8, 2026.
↑ Wikimedia Commons license tag 1 (India). Wikimedia Commons, July 13, 2025. Accessed October 8, 2026.
↑ Wikimedia Commons license tag 2 (India). Wikimedia Commons, September 1, 2026. Accessed October 8, 2026.
↑ Wikimedia Commons license tag 3 (India). Wikimedia Commons, July 16, 2019. Accessed October 8, 2026.
↑ Postage stamps and postal history of India. Wikipedia, August 8, 2026. Accessed October 8, 2026.

Copyright law in India

India’s own stamps follow the rule below. The historical issuers named here are read under the country’s general copyright law. A design answers Likely yes or Likely no only when every term that could apply agrees, and Unclear when they disagree.

Named designer: 60 years after the designer’s death
Anonymous: 60 years from issue
Work of the state: 60 years from issue
Older stamps: A stamp already in the public domain stayed there when the term was extended.
Note: Stamps get the 60-year government term from issue. Stamps from before independence may fall under UK rules.

Historical issuers read under this law: Alwar, Bamra, Barwani, Bhopal, Bhor, Bijawar, Bundi, Bussahir, Chamba, Charkari, China Expeditionary Force, Cochin, Congo (Indian UN Force), Dhar, Dungarpur, Duttia, Faridkot, French Indian Settlements, Gaza (Indian UN Force), Gwalior, Hyderabad, Idar, Indo-China (Indian Forces), Indore, Jaipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Jasdan, Jhalawar, Jind, Kishangarh, Korea (Indian Custodian Forces), Morvi, Mosul (Indian Forces), Muscat, Nabha, Nandgaon, Nawanager, Orchha, Patiala, Poonch, Portuguese India, Rajasthan, Rajpipla, Shahpura, Sirmoor, Soruth (Saurashtra), Travancore, Travancore - Cochin, Wadhwan.

Read from Wikimedia Commons, copyright rules for India, revision 1271778380, checked October 8, 2026

The rule by period

PeriodRule

Before August 15, 1947Public domain 50 years after the end of the year of issue.Commons says material the Government of India issued before independence may be covered by Commons' tag for British government works, a 50-year term; the archive applies that term to every stamp in this period.

From August 15, 1947Public domain 60 years after the end of the year of issue.Commons treats these as Indian government works, protected for 60 years from the end of the year of publication.

India stamps and the public domain: questions

Are Indian stamps public domain?: It depends on the date. In the archive's reading, Indian stamps are government works protected for 60 years from the end of the year of publication, so stamps issued in 1965 or earlier are public domain in 2026. The cutoff year moves forward each January.
Are British India stamps public domain?: Yes, in the archive's reading. The archive applies a 50-year term for British government works to every stamp issued in India before August 15, 1947, and that term has run out for all of them. Wikimedia Commons says only that such material may fall under that term, so the archive's reading is firmer.
Can I use Indian stamps under India's government open data license?: Possibly, for stamps of the central government. Wikimedia Commons lists India's government open data license as one of two tags for Indian stamps and notes that the tag is under discussion. In the archive's reading, Indian stamps issued in 1965 or earlier are public domain in 2026 regardless.
When will a 1970 Indian stamp be public domain?: On January 1, 2031. In the archive's reading, Indian stamps are government works protected for 60 years counted from the end of the year of publication, so a stamp issued in 1970 stays protected through December 31, 2030.