India Post gift offer goes viral on social media, but what is the ‘Dak Seva Gifts’ scheme? PIB responds

A viral image doing the rounds on social media claims that India Post is giving away gifts under a scheme called “Dak Seva Gifts”. The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit has debunked the claim and termed the message fake.

The image has been designed to resemble an authentic communication from India Post, which can make the offer appear genuine to people who come across it online. However, the PIB Fact Check Unit has clarified that India Post has no connection with any gift, reward or lucky draw scheme called “Dak Seva Gifts”.

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What PIB said about the ‘Dak Seva Gifts’ claim

The government has debunked a message circulating on social media claiming that gifts are being distributed by India Post under the Dak Seva Gifts scheme. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau said that the claim is fake and India Post has no connection to any gift, reward, or lucky draw scheme called Dak Seva Gifts. The Unit has asked citizens to not to click on any suspicious links or websites. It has also urged people to not to share personal information such as bank account details, OTP, or Aadhaar number.


The clarification comes as misleading messages and images can spread rapidly across social media and messaging platforms, particularly when they use the name, branding or appearance of a government organisation. In this case, the claim falsely associates the alleged gift scheme with India Post.

PIB warns against suspicious links

The Fact Check Unit has specifically advised people against clicking on suspicious links or websites associated with the fake message. It has also warned users not to provide sensitive personal information such as bank account details, one-time passwords or Aadhaar numbers.

Such information can be particularly important in online fraud attempts. A message promising a gift or reward may direct a user towards a webpage that asks for personal details or other information before supposedly allowing them to claim the offer. The PIB clarification makes clear that the purported “Dak Seva Gifts” scheme has no connection with India Post.

People encountering such messages can therefore avoid interacting with the links or providing information and instead verify whether an announcement has been issued through an official government source.

How PIB Fact Check verifies such claims

The PIB Fact Check Unit was established in November 2019 to address fake news and misinformation relating to the Government of India, its ministries, departments, public sector entities and other central government organisations. According to PIB, the unit checks claims against authoritative government sources and can also verify information with the concerned government organisation.

The unit says its verification process involves researching complaints against authoritative government sources such as official websites, press releases, government social media accounts, notices, circulars, documents and e-gazettes. It can also use technological tools, including reverse image searches and video analysis, to examine viral images and videos that may be circulating in a misleading context.

PIB categorises fact-checked content as “Fake”, “Misleading” or “True” after its verification process. It publishes confirmed fact checks through its social media channels to alert users and counter misinformation.

India Post name used in fake online offers

India Post is a government postal organisation that provides postal, logistics, financial and other citizen-oriented services across the country. Recent government communications have highlighted the department’s efforts to expand digital services and modernise its operations.

The PIB clarification, however, makes clear that these services should not be confused with the alleged “Dak Seva Gifts” offer circulating online. There is no India Post connection to the gift, reward or lucky draw scheme mentioned in the viral message.

Citizens should therefore treat unexpected messages promising government-linked gifts or rewards with caution. Rather than clicking on links contained in such posts, users can check official government websites or verified government social media accounts for confirmation. The PIB Fact Check Unit also provides channels through which suspicious information relating to the Government of India can be submitted for verification.