Postal stamps of Indira Gandhi, now discontinued, were part of the 'Builders of Modern India' theme.
Emails, WhatsApp and SMSes have long edged out letters sent via post but politics over postal stamps has apparently survived the transformation.
The Centre's move to discontinue stamps in the name of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi has provoked Congress protests.
The government today defended the move. "All those who contributed to the freedom struggle or in the creation of modern India should be honoured. It cannot be the prerogative of one family," Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
The Indira and Rajiv Gandhi stamps were a part of the "Builders of Modern India" theme, which has now been replaced by "Makers of India" to include many more names.
The minister said that it was the Philately Advisory Committee that recommended including more names, not the government. The new series will have 25 stamps, the minister said.
Notable additions to the list are Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rabindranath Tagore and BJP ideologues like Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Deen Dayal Upadhyay. Eminent musicians and artistes like Bismillah Khan, MS Subbalakshmi and Pandit Jasraj will also get regular use stamps in their name.
The government is also considering replacing Indira Gandhi from the once best-selling inland letter. "The matter is under consideration. There is a proposal to replace it will Yoga. But a decision has not been taken," Mr Prasad said in response to a question.
The stamps of Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar and Mother Teresa have been retained.
Mr Prasad said: "Jawahar Lal Nehru does not belong to one family or the Congress. Isn't Subhash Chandra Bose a part of the Congress? The government is honouring them too."
Stamps in the name of Homi J Bhabha, JRD Tata, CV Raman and Satyajit Ray have also been discontinued under the new theme.
Realising that the move is subtle but political, the Congress has reacted sharply. Leading the party's protests, spokesperson Shobha Oza said, "The government has added prominent Indians to the list only as a cover-up."