Request for re-consideration of premature/frequent transfers of PS Group-B/JTS/STS Officers and formulation of clear guidelines for transfer and posting – reg.

 To,

The Secretary Posts,

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, 

New Delhi-110001.

No. Chq/POA/36/2025-2027. Dated : 29.09.2026.

Subject: Request for re-consideration of premature/frequent transfers of PS Group-B/JTS/STS Officers and formulation of clear guidelines for transfer and posting – reg.

Ref : PMG, South Karnataka Region memo No.SK/STA/0-2/GOs/RT/2026-27-Part(I) dated 11.09.2026.

PMG, HQ Region, Telangana Memo no. HQR/St/PS Gr.B/Transfers/2026 dated 31.08.2026

-o-o-o-o-

Respected Sir,

The Postal Officers’ Association (India) respectfully submits for the kind consideration of the competent authority regarding the issue of frequent and premature transfers of officers in PS Group-B, JTS and STS cadres.

              The Association fully appreciates that transfers and postings are an essential part of administrative functioning and that the competent authority has the power to make transfers in the interest of administration. At the same time, it is submitted that stability of tenure is equally important for effective administration, accountability, continuity of work and the morale of officers and also in the interest of family members of the officers.

It has been observed that, in a number of cases, officers are transferred before completion of their normal/prescribed tenure. In some instances, officers have been moved from one assignment to another within a very short period, without getting adequate time to settle at the station, understand the assignment, implement initiatives and demonstrate measurable results. Such frequent changes also adversely affect continuity of administration and institutional efficiency.

The problem becomes particularly serious when an officer is transferred after a short tenure and the transfer is attributed, directly or indirectly, to performance, achievement of targets or administrative assessment. The Association submits that performance-related assessment should be undertaken strictly in accordance with the applicable instructions, rules and prescribed mechanisms. Transfer should not become an informal punitive measure merely on the ground of non-achievement of a particular target, particularly when the officer has otherwise discharged assigned duties in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

The Association is also aware that instructions have been issued from time to time that officers should not be subjected to adverse action merely on account of non-achievement of targets/performance parameters. In this background, the Association requests that transfer orders should not be used as a substitute for any prescribed performance-management or disciplinary mechanism.

Recent individual cases also demonstrate the hardship caused by premature transfers. In one case placed before the Association, an officer had reportedly undergone four transfers within approximately ten months, including postings of very short duration. In another case, an officer was transferred after only about eight months of joining the present station, while facing genuine family responsibilities and educational considerations.

The Association therefore respectfully requests that the following principles may kindly be considered while dealing with transfer and posting of PS Group-B/JTS/STS officers:

1. Normal tenure: Officers may ordinarily be allowed to complete the prescribed tenure at a station/post unless there are compelling administrative reasons warranting an earlier transfer.

2. Reasoned premature transfer: Any transfer before completion of the normal tenure may preferably be based on clearly recorded administrative reasons and approved by the competent authority.

3. Minimum stability: An officer should ordinarily not be transferred repeatedly within short intervals, except in exceptional administrative circumstances.

4. Performance/target-related transfers: Non-achievement of targets should not, by itself, be treated as a ground for premature transfer where applicable instructions specifically provide otherwise. Any action concerning performance should be taken only through the prescribed mechanism.

5. Humanitarian considerations: Medical conditions of the officer or dependent family members, education of children, serious family circumstances and other genuine hardship cases may be duly considered before issuing premature transfer orders.

6. Opportunity for representation: In cases of proposed premature transfer, the officer may, wherever administratively feasible, be given an opportunity to submit a representation regarding genuine hardship or exceptional circumstances before the order is finally implemented.

7. Transfer during academic session: As far as practicable, avoidable disruption of children's education may be considered while deciding premature transfers.

8. Transparency and consistency: A uniform transfer/posting policy may be followed for PS Group-B/JTS/STS officers so that similarly situated officers are treated consistently across the Circle.

9. Cooling-off/stability period: After a transfer, an officer may ordinarily be allowed a reasonable period of stable tenure before being considered again for transfer, except where exigencies of administration require otherwise.

10. Review mechanism: A suitable mechanism may be prescribed for examination of representations against premature transfers, particularly where the officer has not completed the prescribed tenure or where substantial humanitarian grounds are involved.

The Association further requests that all pending/recent cases of premature transfer of PS Group-B/JTS/STS officers may kindly be reviewed sympathetically, particularly where the officer has not completed the prescribed tenure and where genuine family, medical or educational circumstances have been brought on record.

In the present cases brought to the notice of the Association, the respective officers Shri K.Vidya Sagar under Telangana Circle, Shri Lokanatha M under Karnataka Circle have submitted representations seeking reconsideration of their transfers on genuine personal and family grounds. The Association requests that such representations may kindly be examined on their individual merits and, wherever administratively feasible, the concerned officers may be permitted to continue at their present stations or accommodated at suitable nearby posts.

The Association firmly believes that a clear, transparent and tenure-oriented transfer policy will not only protect officers from avoidable hardship but will also strengthen administrative stability, accountability and efficiency in the Department.

It is, therefore, requested that the competent authority may kindly consider the above issues and issue clear guidelines for transfer and posting of PS Group-B/JTS/STS officers, while also considering the pending individual representations sympathetically.

The Association shall be grateful for a favourable and considered decision in the matter.

Yours faithfully,

                                                                                                                                   (Rajiv Kumar)

General Secretary