Postal Officers' Association (I) pray to God that departed soul may rest in peace and give courage to bereaved family to bear this loss.
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.
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
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 15th 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 15th 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
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