Artificial Intelligence in Motion: Redefining Courier and Logistics Services in India

India's courier and logistics sector, currently valued at approximately USD 228.4 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 360 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8%, is undergoing a profound and far-reaching structural transformation driven by the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies across all operational layers of the industry. The exponential rise of e-commerce, which surpassed USD 125 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in 2024, increasing urbanization, deeper digital penetration across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and an increasingly discerning consumer base demanding swift, transparent, and personalized delivery experiences are collectively reshaping strategic priorities of logistics operators in India. Conventional logistics frameworks — historically characterized by manual processes, fragmented operations, disjointed data systems, and limited technological adaptability — are proving increasingly inadequate in addressing the complexities of modern supply chain requirements. Against this backdrop, the India AI in Logistics market, which stood at USD 756.31 million in FY2024, is projected to grow at a staggering CAGR of 31.66%, reaching USD 6,828.58 million by FY2032, underscoring the transformative momentum AI is building across this sector. This paper presents a comprehensive and systematic review of how key AI technologies — including Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision (CV), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Predictive Analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) integration — are fundamentally reshaping core logistics functions in India. The study examines AI's transformative impact across critical operational domains such as dynamic route optimization, automated warehousing, demand and inventory forecasting, supply chain risk management (SCRM), predictive fleet maintenance, and AI-driven customer engagement. Drawing upon existing academic literature, empirical findings on AI adoption factors across Indian industries using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, and real-world case studies of leading firms including Delhivery, Blue Dart, Ecom Express, Amazon India, Flipkart, Locus, FedEx, and DHL, this paper illustrates measurable improvements in operational efficiency, cost reduction, last-mile delivery performance, and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the study critically analyzes India's evolving policy and regulatory ecosystem — encompassing the National Logistics Policy 2022, PM Gati Shakti initiative, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), and NITI Aayog's National AI Strategy — assessing their collective role in enabling responsible and scalable AI deployment. The paper also identifies persistent barriers to widespread AI adoption, including high implementation costs, data quality challenges, shortage of trained professionals, cybersecurity risks, and ethical concerns. A forward-looking perspective projects AI's expanding role in autonomous last-mile delivery, drone deployment, hyperlocal logistics, green supply chains, and self-regulating logistics networks. The findings affirm that with sustained investments, robust data governance, clear ethical guidelines, and coordinated public-private-academic collaboration, AI holds immense potential to become the strategic backbone of a resilient, efficient, and globally competitive logistics ecosystem in India.