The year-long celebrations to mark 150 years of India's postal system start on October 4 with the release of commemorative stamps and coins by President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Kalam will release a set of four commemorative stamps, each of Rs 5 denomination. The president will also give away Meghdoot Awards for excellence in postal services at the function.

Postal services in India have grown from 701 post offices on October 1, 1854, when it commenced operations, to become the largest in the world with a network of 1,55,000 outlets.