The review of a Nation's fleet of warships, by the Heads of the State, is a ceremonial occasion originating many centuries ago. The earliest record available is that of the Review of the Royal Navy by King Edward III as early as in 1415. Originally, the Review was, an opportunity for the Head of State to satisfy himself on the operational readiness of his ships to wage war at sea. With the passage of time, Reviews were held to mark important events like a coronation, notable anniversaries, visits of important events like a coronation, notable anniversaries, visits of important state guests etc.

The Indian Navy is normally reviewed by the President, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, once during his tenure in office. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India, was also the first to review the Indian Fleet on 10 October 1953. Dr. Radhakrishnan, who was scheduled to do so on 20 April 1964, could not review the Fleet because of an eye ailment, and the Review was conducted instead by the then Defence Minister, Shri Y. B. Chavan. Dr. Radhakrishnan, however, reviewed the Fleet at Sea in 1966. The next Review took place, during the Presidency of Shri.V.V.Giri , on 28th December, 1969.

Shri F. A. Ahmed reviewed the Fleet on 11th January, 1976. The Sixth Review is being held on 12th February 1984, off the gateway of India, Bombay.

The se-tenant set is a composite picture depicting the three dimensional strike capability of the Indian Navy, silhouettes of an aircraft carrier and a Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft, a missile destroyer and a submarine. The three elements viz, the sky, the surface and the ocean depths are represented by a circular band in three shades of blue. The Naval Ensign is repeated in each of the four stamps of the se-tenant. The co-authors of the se-tenant are Captain Anil Dhir, IN and Sudarshan Dheer.

The First Day Cover depicts a warship bristling with deadly weapons, the Naval Ensign fluttering proudly in the breeze and the naval crest. The cancellation is an adaptation of the logo of the President’s Review representing "Power at Sea".

Date of Issue: 12.2.1984