Representation on draft Civil List(as on 01.01.2026) of officers of Indian Postal Services(IPoS), Group "A" Regarding

 

Request for relaxation in service conditions, early DPC, and filling up of vacant JTS/STS posts – regarding

 To,

1. The Secretary (Posts)

     Dak Bhawan, Sansad MargNew Delhi – 110001

2. The Director General Postal Services

    Dak Bhawan, Sansad MargNew Delhi – 110001

NO. Chq/POA/24/2025-2027                                                Dated 08.04.2026.

Subject: Request for relaxation in service conditions, early DPC, and filling up of vacant JTS/STS posts – regarding

Respected Sir,

        On behalf of the Postal Officers Association (India), I most respectfully wish to draw your kind attention once again to the acute shortage of officers in the JTS and STS cadres and the urgent need to address the issue in the interest of administrative efficiency as well as officer welfare.

        It is respectfully submitted that the Directorate has earlier granted relaxation in the required service conditions on two occasions (in 2015 and again in 2024) for filling up posts in HSG-I and HSG-II cadres. In the same spirit, it is earnestly requested that similar relaxation may kindly be considered for filling up STS posts by granting necessary relaxation in eligibility conditions to eligible JTS officers. Consequently, the vacancies arising in JTS may be filled through timely DPC from Group ‘B’ officers. This will effectively address the existing shortage in both JTS and STS cadres and ensure timely promotion of eligible Group ‘B’ officers.

        At present, the situation at the field level is extremely challenging. A large number of posts remain vacant, resulting in officers being assigned double or even triple charges. This has placed an excessive administrative burden on officers, adversely affecting their efficiency, work-life balance, and ultimately the quality of service delivery to the public. The Department’s objective of transforming operations into a profit-oriented and efficient system is difficult to achieve under such constraints.

    As per the latest Civil List issued as on 01.01.2026, the vacancy position is as under:

    STS: 102– 60 = 42 vacant

    JTS: 151 – 133 = 18 vacant

    Training Reserve: 30– 7 = 23 vacant

    Leave Reserve: 5

    Deputation: 51– 30 = 21 vacant

        The above figures clearly indicate a significant shortage of officers in the JTS/STS cadres.

    It is also pertinent to mention that due to the non-availability of regular officers, several anomalies have arisen. In many instances, senior officers are compelled to work under junior officers due to ad hoc arrangements or current duty charges. For example:

        Such situations create administrative anomalies, affect morale, and place senior officers in awkward professional circumstances. These need to be addressed urgently in the interest of maintaining proper hierarchy and discipline.

    It is further submitted that as per DoPT guidelines, DPCs should be conducted in advance (ideally six months prior) to ensure that panels are readily available for filling vacancies as and when they arise. While this practice is followed in higher grades, it has not been consistently implemented for promotions from Group ‘B’ to JTS, resulting in a prolonged gap. Notably, DPCs for JTS were not conducted from 2016 to 2023, which has significantly contributed to the present shortage in STS as well.

        Additionally, the vacancies of JTS reported to UPSC for the years 2025 and 2026 are not likely to be filled before 2028–2029. Therefore, it is humbly suggested that:

* All clear vacancies in JTS may be filled immediately on a regular basis through DPC.

* For anticipated vacancies where UPSC recruits may take time, ad hoc promotions may kindly be considered to ensure continuity of work.

* Further, officers who are presently holding double or triple charges may kindly be granted appropriate financial compensation for the additional responsibilities being discharged by them.

* In view of the above, the Postal Officers Association (India) most earnestly requests that:

* Necessary relaxation in service conditions be granted for promotion to STS.

* Immediate DPC be conducted to fill all vacant JTS posts from eligible Group ‘B’ officers.

* Adhoc promotions may kindly be considered to ensure continuity of work on anticipated vacancies where UPSC recruits may take long time approx 2 to 3 years 

*  All existing anomalies where senior officers are working under junior officers be rectified at the earliest.

 * Ad hoc arrangements be regularized in a fair and structured manner.

* Appropriate compensation be granted to officers handling multiple charges.

        These measures will not only improve administrative efficiency but also boost the morale of officers and significantly enhance service delivery to the public.

    The Association shall remain ever grateful for your kind and welfare-oriented consideration in this matter.

                                                                                                                Yours faithfully,

                                                                                                                (Rajiv Kumar)                                                                                                                                            General Secretary

                                                                                                        Postal Officers Association (India)    

Copy to : The Dy. Director General (P), Dak Bhawan New Delhi.

Proposal for down-gradation of vacant STS posts -reg.

To,

 

The Secretary (Posts),

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhl-110001

 

 

No. CHQ/POA/25/2025-27.                                                       Dated : 08.04.2026.

 

Respected madam,

            Sub:-    Proposal for down-gradation of vacant STS posts -reg.

 

            Ref:-     1. Department of Expenditure O.M. No. 7(1)/E.Coord-I/2017 dated 05.01.2024.

                        2. Department of Posts letter No. Q-25/4/2024-PE-I-DOP dated 27.09.2024.

                        3. Department of Posts letter No. R-04/13/2024/SPG-DOP dated 15.10.2025.

-o-o-o-o-o-

            A kind reference is invited to this association letter no. CHQ/POA/17/2025-27 dated 19.01.2026.

 

1.      Our Association places on record our humble gratitude  for settling the long pending hurdles in the process of JTS promotion and is much thankful to all senior officers who had actively involved themselves for ordering the long pending JTS promotion from cadre of PS Group B upto the vacancy year 2025, lighting the lamps of many  officers stagnated in the cadre for years together.

 

2.      However, while ordering the said promotion, the termination of Ad-hoc arrangements ordered earlier had created an imbalance in the administration of Circles due to more vacancies in the cadre, besides the personal inconveniences to the officers working on Ad-hoc basis in the middle of the academic year.

 

3.      Considering the hike in the annual targets and implementation of various new products and projects like 24/48Speedpost and Day Definite Delivery etc., managing the Divisions on additional charge becomes so crucial and hectic, leading to reduction in performance and perfection. It has been noticed that in many bigger Circles like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, the charge of 3 or 4 Divisions is with a single officer developing enormous pressure on them though they are doing their best to manage the given responsibilities.

 

4.      The situation arises because of huge vacancies in STS cadre ie., out of 102 STS posts, only around 60 officers are working leaving remaining 40 as vacant.

 

5.      In accordance with Point. 10 of OM of Department of Expenditure cited under reference 1, communicated by Department of Posts vide letter cited under reference 2, proposals for temporary / permanent down-gradation of Posts below SAG level [Level 14] can be submitted to Department of Expenditure with proper justification.

 

6.      The justification for down-gradation of STS posts are furnished for kind consideration;

6.1. In the next 2 years viz., 2027&2028 (2027 -5, 2028-7), there are possibilities of filling up only 12 vacancies in STS cadre  due to non-availability of eligible officers in JTS cadre

6.2. Further, there is hard chances for filling up of the vacancies arising in STS cadre due to promotion to JAG, in the next 2 years (around 20), resulting further more vacancies in STS cadre

6.3. Down gradation of the STS posts will not increase the financial burden whereas it will help the Department to improve the operational efficiency

6.4. There is no undue advantage to any one because of the down gradation as the Department will get the eligible officers to be promoted to the next level, eliminating the chances of stagnation besides filling up of maximum vacant posts

6.5. Due to the recent increase in the PS Group B cadre and timely promotions ordered, there are sufficient officers in Group B cadre unlike JTS/STS cadre, to manage the resultant vacancies in PS Group B cadre even after the promotion of eligible officers to JTS cadre, being proposed after down gradation of posts from STS to JTS

6.6. Eligible officers will be promoted to the STS cadre from JTS cadre, fulfilling the criteria in future, by upgradation of the temporarily down graded posts without any practical inconveniences

 

7.      Considering all the above, it is requested to

7.1. Order Ad-hoc promotion to the eligible officers for the vacancies in JTS cadre which are identified for filling up through DR quota

7.2. Submit proposal to Department of Expenditure for down-gradation of vacant STS posts where there are remote chances for filling up in the near future

7.3. Simultaneously, initiate the process for filling up of the vacancies due to the proposed down gradation of posts,  to avoid operational delay, if the proposal is approved by DoE, being a genuine and justified one on operational and administrative grounds

 

8.      The following are the justification for temporary down-gradation of vacant STS posts:-

8.1. The number of officers eligible for getting promoted to STS posts in next 2 years are as follows:-

Year	No of officers eligible to be promoted	Remarks
2027	5	Only 5 officers from DR 2022 are available for consideration.
2028	7	Only 7 officers from DR 2023 are available for consideration. And seniority of SLY officers joined during 2024 is yet to be fixed by Directorate taking into consideration of Ad-hoc promotion period.

While of number of eligible officers to get promoted to STS posts are very less, around 20 officers might get promotion from STS posts and join in JAG cadre in next 2 years. This will further reduce the number of officers actually available in STS posts. Hence taking into consideration the need to have proper monitoring at ground level, down-grading vacant STS posts is utmost necessary now.

8.2. Upon down-gradation, the vacant STS posts can be filled up with regular JTS officers, which will help the Department to manage the day-to-day activities smoothly.

8.3. The STS posts can be upgraded again as and when regular promotion is ordered from JTS to STS. While ordering promotion from JTS to STS cadre, equal number of posts, may be upgraded.

8.4. With this arrangement, additional charge in Divisional Head posts will be reduced to larger extent and will help the Department in concentrating on business related activities.

8.5. There will be no additional expenditure for the Department, since posts are downgraded to lower cadre only.

8.6. Officers in PS Group B can be promoted to JTS on regular basis and this will not bring much imbalance in PS Group B cadre since more than 100 officers joined in PS Group B posts recently.

9.      Keeping in view the benefits in down-grading vacant STS posts available in the Department, it is kindly requested to;

9.1. Take up the case with Department of Expenditure for down-grading vacant STS posts available in the Department.

9.2. Initiate process of offering regular promotion to PS Group B Officers, to the cadre of Junior Time Scale, equivalent to the number of posts available in DP quota.

9.3. Offer ad-hoc promotion to PS Group B Officers to the cadre of Junior Time Scale, equivalent to the number of posts lying unfilled in DR quota, till such time the posts are regularly filled up through DR quota.

 

 

With regards.

 

                                                                                    (Rajiv Kumar)

                                                                                 General Secretary

Copy to :

The Dy. Director Geneal, Estt. Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001

 

                                                            

        General Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To,

 

The Secretary (Posts),

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhl-110001

 

 

No. CHQ/POA/25/2025-27.                                                       Dated : 08.04.2026.

 

Respected madam,

            Sub:-    Proposal for down-gradation of vacant STS posts -reg.

 

            Ref:-     1. Department of Expenditure O.M. No. 7(1)/E.Coord-I/2017 dated 05.01.2024.

                        2. Department of Posts letter No. Q-25/4/2024-PE-I-DOP dated 27.09.2024.

                        3. Department of Posts letter No. R-04/13/2024/SPG-DOP dated 15.10.2025.

-o-o-o-o-o-

            A kind reference is invited to this association letter no. CHQ/POA/17/2025-27 dated 19.01.2026.

 

1.      Our Association places on record our humble gratitude  for settling the long pending hurdles in the process of JTS promotion and is much thankful to all senior officers who had actively involved themselves for ordering the long pending JTS promotion from cadre of PS Group B upto the vacancy year 2025, lighting the lamps of many  officers stagnated in the cadre for years together.

 

2.      However, while ordering the said promotion, the termination of Ad-hoc arrangements ordered earlier had created an imbalance in the administration of Circles due to more vacancies in the cadre, besides the personal inconveniences to the officers working on Ad-hoc basis in the middle of the academic year.

 

3.      Considering the hike in the annual targets and implementation of various new products and projects like 24/48Speedpost and Day Definite Delivery etc., managing the Divisions on additional charge becomes so crucial and hectic, leading to reduction in performance and perfection. It has been noticed that in many bigger Circles like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, the charge of 3 or 4 Divisions is with a single officer developing enormous pressure on them though they are doing their best to manage the given responsibilities.

 

4.      The situation arises because of huge vacancies in STS cadre ie., out of 102 STS posts, only around 60 officers are working leaving remaining 40 as vacant.

 

5.      In accordance with Point. 10 of OM of Department of Expenditure cited under reference 1, communicated by Department of Posts vide letter cited under reference 2, proposals for temporary / permanent down-gradation of Posts below SAG level [Level 14] can be submitted to Department of Expenditure with proper justification.

 

6.      The justification for down-gradation of STS posts are furnished for kind consideration;

6.1. In the next 2 years viz., 2027&2028 (2027 -5, 2028-7), there are possibilities of filling up only 12 vacancies in STS cadre  due to non-availability of eligible officers in JTS cadre

6.2. Further, there is hard chances for filling up of the vacancies arising in STS cadre due to promotion to JAG, in the next 2 years (around 20), resulting further more vacancies in STS cadre

6.3. Down gradation of the STS posts will not increase the financial burden whereas it will help the Department to improve the operational efficiency

6.4. There is no undue advantage to any one because of the down gradation as the Department will get the eligible officers to be promoted to the next level, eliminating the chances of stagnation besides filling up of maximum vacant posts

6.5. Due to the recent increase in the PS Group B cadre and timely promotions ordered, there are sufficient officers in Group B cadre unlike JTS/STS cadre, to manage the resultant vacancies in PS Group B cadre even after the promotion of eligible officers to JTS cadre, being proposed after down gradation of posts from STS to JTS

6.6. Eligible officers will be promoted to the STS cadre from JTS cadre, fulfilling the criteria in future, by upgradation of the temporarily down graded posts without any practical inconveniences

 

7.      Considering all the above, it is requested to

7.1. Order Ad-hoc promotion to the eligible officers for the vacancies in JTS cadre which are identified for filling up through DR quota

7.2. Submit proposal to Department of Expenditure for down-gradation of vacant STS posts where there are remote chances for filling up in the near future

7.3. Simultaneously, initiate the process for filling up of the vacancies due to the proposed down gradation of posts,  to avoid operational delay, if the proposal is approved by DoE, being a genuine and justified one on operational and administrative grounds

 

8.      The following are the justification for temporary down-gradation of vacant STS posts:-

8.1. The number of officers eligible for getting promoted to STS posts in next 2 years are as follows:-

Year	No of officers eligible to be promoted	Remarks
2027	5	Only 5 officers from DR 2022 are available for consideration.
2028	7	Only 7 officers from DR 2023 are available for consideration. And seniority of SLY officers joined during 2024 is yet to be fixed by Directorate taking into consideration of Ad-hoc promotion period.

While of number of eligible officers to get promoted to STS posts are very less, around 20 officers might get promotion from STS posts and join in JAG cadre in next 2 years. This will further reduce the number of officers actually available in STS posts. Hence taking into consideration the need to have proper monitoring at ground level, down-grading vacant STS posts is utmost necessary now.

8.2. Upon down-gradation, the vacant STS posts can be filled up with regular JTS officers, which will help the Department to manage the day-to-day activities smoothly.

8.3. The STS posts can be upgraded again as and when regular promotion is ordered from JTS to STS. While ordering promotion from JTS to STS cadre, equal number of posts, may be upgraded.

8.4. With this arrangement, additional charge in Divisional Head posts will be reduced to larger extent and will help the Department in concentrating on business related activities.

8.5. There will be no additional expenditure for the Department, since posts are downgraded to lower cadre only.

8.6. Officers in PS Group B can be promoted to JTS on regular basis and this will not bring much imbalance in PS Group B cadre since more than 100 officers joined in PS Group B posts recently.

9.      Keeping in view the benefits in down-grading vacant STS posts available in the Department, it is kindly requested to;

9.1. Take up the case with Department of Expenditure for down-grading vacant STS posts available in the Department.

9.2. Initiate process of offering regular promotion to PS Group B Officers, to the cadre of Junior Time Scale, equivalent to the number of posts available in DP quota.

9.3. Offer ad-hoc promotion to PS Group B Officers to the cadre of Junior Time Scale, equivalent to the number of posts lying unfilled in DR quota, till such time the posts are regularly filled up through DR quota.

 

 

With regards.

 

                                                                                    (Rajiv Kumar)

                                                                                 General Secretary

Copy to :

The Dy. Director Geneal, Estt. Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001

 

                                                            

        General Secretary

Request for inclusion of service rendered on ad-hoc basis as regular service for the purpose of seniority – reg.

  

To

The Secretary,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi.

 

No : CHQ/POA/23/2025-2026.                                                                                   Dated   08.04.2026.

 

Subject: Request for inclusion of service rendered on ad-hoc basis as regular service for the purpose of seniority – reg.

Madam,

A kind reference is invited towards this association letter no. CHQ/POA/12/2025-2026 dated 13.11.2025 through which it was requested for  regularisation of the ad-hoc period served by the PS Group ‘B’ officers in the JTS Cadre. The Directorate, vide letter No. 4-2/2023-SPG dated 10.11.2023, had promoted 115 officers and vide letter no.- 4-2/2023-SPG dated 02.02.2024 from PS Group ‘B’ to JTS Group ‘A’ on an ad-hoc basis against existing vacancies. These promotions were made after following the due procedure, and the order clearly mentioned that “The President is pleased to order…”

2.            Subsequently, the Department issued a regular promotion order vide File No. 4-5/2019-SPG dated 26.11.2024, promoting 28 officers on a regular basis against existing vacancies. And vide Order No.R-04/13/2024-SPG-DOP dated 15^th October 2025, regular promotion orders were issued for 87 officers against existing vacancies. Majority of the officers in the said promotion lists have been continuously serving without any break from the date of their ad-hoc appointment in JTS posts.

3.            All officers who were initially promoted on ad-hoc basis have since been appointed on a regular basis and were allowed to exercise the option for fixation of pay under FR 22(I)(a)(1), as reiterated in the DoPT O.M. No. 1667551701810 dated 13.09.2022.

4.            It is further brought to your kind notice that:

(a) Directorate vide letter No. 1-11/2023-SPG dated 04.07.2024 promoted three SAG officers on ad-hoc basis to HAG Cadre Group ‘A’, whose services were regularised from the date of their ad-hoc promotion vide letter of even number dated 27.08.2024.

(b) Directorate vide letter No. 1-11/2023-SPG dated 17.09.2024 promoted one SAG officer on ad-hoc basis to HAG Cadre Group ‘A’, whose service was regularised from the date of ad-hoc promotion.

(c) Directorate vide letters No. 1-11/2023-SPG dated 04.07.2024 and 06.08.2024 promoted SAG officers on ad-hoc basis to HAG Cadre Group ‘A’, and their services were regularised from the date of ad-hoc promotion vide letter of even number dated 30.10.2024.

5.            The DOPT rules governing ad-hoc promotions and their regularisation are uniform for all Group ‘A’ appointments. However, it appears that the same principles have not been applied consistently to the officers of PS Group ‘B’ cadre who were promoted from ad-hoc to regular JTS cadre, and the department applied rules negatively to the officers promoted from ad-hoc to regular vide para 2 above

6. Several courts including the Supreme Court and Various High Courts, have ruled that Ad-hoc service should be counted if certain conditions are met: -

a)            The initial Ad-hoc appointment was made through a lawful process (e.g., following service rule/proper selection) was not “illegal”

               b)            The employee served continuously in that post until their service was regularised.

               c)            The appointment was made against a substantive (permanent) vacancy.

In this case, all officers have been Ad-hoc appointed by the president through lawful process, their service has been regularised without any break, and all the appointment has been against permanent vacancies)

      

7. In view of the above, the Postal Officers’ Association (I) one again humbly requests that the ad-hoc service period of officers promoted vide letter No. 4-5/2019-SPG dated 26.11.2024 & No.R-04/13/2024-SPG-DOP dated 15^th October 2025 to be counted as regular service for all purposes, including seniority, by applying the same rules and precedents followed for officers mentioned in para 4 above within the same department and cadre.

               We shall be grateful for your kind consideration of this request.

               Thanking you, Madam.

                                                                                                                                        Yours faithfully,

 

   (Rajiv Kumar)                     General Secretary

 

Copy to :

 

The Dy. Director General(P), Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.

 

 

General Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To,

 

 

1.      The Secretary (Posts)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001

 

2.      The Director General Postal Services

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001

 

No : CHQ/POA/24/2025-2026.                                                                                             Dated   08.04.2026.

 

Subject: Request for relaxation in service conditions, early DPC, and filling up of vacant JTS/STS posts – regarding

 

Respected Sir,

 

On behalf of the Postal Officers Association (India), I most respectfully wish to draw your kind attention once again to the acute shortage of officers in the JTS and STS cadres and the urgent need to address the issue in the interest of administrative efficiency as well as officer welfare.

 

It is respectfully submitted that the Directorate has earlier granted relaxation in the required service conditions on two occasions (in 2015 and again in 2024) for filling up posts in HSG-I and HSG-II cadres. In the same spirit, it is earnestly requested that similar relaxation may kindly be considered for filling up STS posts by granting necessary relaxation in eligibility conditions to eligible JTS officers. Consequently, the vacancies arising in JTS may be filled through timely DPC from Group ‘B’ officers. This will effectively address the existing shortage in both JTS and STS cadres and ensure timely promotion of eligible Group ‘B’ officers.

 

At present, the situation at the field level is extremely challenging. A large number of posts remain vacant, resulting in officers being assigned double or even triple charges. This has placed an excessive administrative burden on officers, adversely affecting their efficiency, work-life balance, and ultimately the quality of service delivery to the public. The Department’s objective of transforming operations into a profit-oriented and efficient system is difficult to achieve under such constraints.

 

As per the latest Civil List issued as on 01.01.2026, the vacancy position is as under:

 

STS: 102– 60                     = 42 vacant

 

JTS: 151 – 133                   = 18 vacant

 

Training Reserve: 30– 7 = 23 vacant

 

Leave Reserve                   = 5

 

Deputation: 51– 30         = 21 vacant

The above figures clearly indicate a significant shortage of officers in the JTS/STS cadres.

 

It is also pertinent to mention that due to the non-availability of regular officers, several anomalies have arisen. In many instances, senior officers are compelled to work under junior officers due to ad hoc arrangements or current duty charges. Such situations create administrative anomalies, affect morale, and place senior officers in awkward professional circumstances. These need to be addressed urgently in the interest of maintaining proper hierarchy and discipline.

 

It is further submitted that as per DoPT guidelines, DPCs should be conducted in advance (ideally six months prior) to ensure that panels are readily available for filling vacancies as and when they arise. While this practice is followed in higher grades, it has not been consistently implemented for promotions from Group ‘B’ to JTS, resulting in a prolonged gap. Notably, DPCs for JTS were not conducted from 2016 to 2023, which has significantly contributed to the present shortage in STS as well.

 

Additionally, the vacancies of JTS reported to UPSC for the years 2025 and 2026 are not likely to be filled before 2028–2029. Therefore, it is humbly suggested that:

 

All clear vacancies in JTS may be filled immediately on a regular basis through DPC. For anticipated vacancies where UPSC recruits may take time, ad hoc promotions may kindly be considered to ensure continuity of work.

 

Further, officers who are presently holding double or triple charges may kindly be granted appropriate financial compensation for the additional responsibilities being discharged by them.

In view of the above, the Postal Officers Association (India) most earnestly requests that:

 

·        Necessary relaxation in service conditions be granted for promotion to STS.

 

·        Immediate DPC be conducted to fill all vacant JTS posts from eligible Group ‘B’ officers.

 

·        Adhoc promotions may kindly be considered to ensure continuity of work on anticipated vacancies where UPSC recruits may take long time approx 2 to 3 years

 

·        All existing anomalies where senior officers are working under junior officers be rectified at the earliest.

 

·        Ad hoc arrangements be regularized in a fair and structured manner.

 

·        Appropriate compensation be granted to officers handling multiple charges.

 

These measures will not only improve administrative efficiency but also boost the morale of officers and significantly enhance service delivery to the public.

 

The Association shall remain ever grateful for your kind and welfare-oriented consideration in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

 

   (Rajiv Kumar)                     General Secretary

 

Copy to :

 

The Dy. Director General(P), Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.

 

 

General Secretary