In which Indian city was the country's first Post Office ATM facility opened for customers?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to financial inclusion and modernisation of postal services in India. India Post has been upgrading post offices with core banking solutions and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to provide banking like services. Knowing where the first Post Office ATM was opened helps aspirants understand milestones in the digital transformation of government services.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to India first Post Office ATM.
• It asks for the city where this pioneering facility was opened.
• The options include Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
• We assume the context of Department of Posts rolling out ATM services linked to postal savings accounts.

Concept / Approach:
The concept here is to connect India Post modernisation with the cities selected for early pilot projects. Historically, Chennai has often been used as a testing ground for new postal banking initiatives. The first Post Office ATM was widely reported as being inaugurated at a prominent head post office in that city. Remembering these news reports leads to the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India Post began installing ATMs after implementing core banking in selected post offices. Step 2: News articles highlighted that the first such postal ATM was opened in Chennai at an important head post office. Step 3: There were later inaugurations of Post Office ATMs in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and other cities, but they came after the Chennai launch. Step 4: Since the question asks specifically for the first in the country, only the earliest launch city is relevant. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is Chennai.

Verification / Alternative check:
If candidates have read about India Post core banking initiatives, they may remember that Tamil Nadu and Chennai often feature in pilot projects due to a high density of postal savings account holders and strong infrastructure. Furthermore, many exam oriented current affairs compilations explicitly mention that the first postal ATM was opened in Chennai, reinforcing this memory when revising for tests.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (New Delhi) is wrong because although it is the national capital and many new schemes are highlighted there, the first postal ATM was not launched in Delhi.
Option C (Hyderabad) is incorrect because it was among later cities to receive the facility, not the earliest.
Option D (Mumbai) is also wrong; while Mumbai is a major financial centre, the first postal ATM was not opened there.
Option E (Bengaluru) is not correct; it too received facilities later as part of the expansion of postal ATMs and India Post Payments Bank services.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes guess that national level firsts are linked to New Delhi or Mumbai simply because of their prominence. However, government departments often pilot new service models in other big cities where operational conditions are suitable. To avoid such errors, it is helpful to maintain a small notebook of first in India facts related to banking, postal services and transport infrastructure.

Final Answer:
India first Post Office ATM facility was opened in the city of Chennai.