India has made history once again in space exploration. With the successful launch of AXIOM Mission 4, the nation proudly witnessed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He is also the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma.
To mark this remarkable achievement, India celebrates AXIOM Mission 4 through philately, honoring the mission with special stamps, cancellations, and postal memorabilia.
Special Cancellations on Launch Day – 25 June 2025
On the day of the launch, 25th June 2025, India Post released two special pictorial cancellations:
One from Mumbai GPO
Another from Raipur GPO
These cancellations featured artwork related to the mission and celebrated India’s participation in human spaceflight. They quickly became prized items for collectors and space enthusiasts alike.
Celebrating the Docking – 26 June 2025
The AXIOM Mission 4 successfully docked with the ISS on 26th June 2025. To celebrate this milestone, a third special pictorial cancellation was released. It highlighted the moment of arrival at the space station — a key event in India’s space journey.
Honoring Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla – 30 June 2025
On 30th June 2025, India Post honored Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in a special way. He became the first Indian to stay at the ISS, making history.
To mark this, a special cover was released. The cover celebrated his mission and his role in taking India’s presence into low Earth orbit once again.
On the same day, a picture postcard was issued. It carried a message of congratulations for Mr. Shukla, capturing the pride of the nation. The postcard was released by Department of Posts, Karnataka Postal Circle in association with Postcrossing Society of India.
A Moment to Cherish
India celebrates AXIOM Mission 4 through philately in a unique and meaningful way. These philatelic releases are not just collectibles—they are a way to tell the story of India’s journey to the stars.
As space history is written, these cancellations and special cover will remain lasting reminders of national pride and scientific progress.
Note: This post was written with reference to my original article published in monthly e-Magazine of EIPA, The Fila Capsule – June 2025.
