India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026: 85 Posts
📅 Posted: 11/05/2026 📝 Updated: 16/06/2026
Total Vacancy85
SalaryPay Level-4 (₹25,500 - ₹81,100) [Approx. ₹38,000 - ₹42,000/Month Gross]
LocationAll India
Last Date29/05/2026
Short Information: The Office of the Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle, Kolkata, has issued Notification No. Rectt/X-13/LGO Exam/2026 dated 11 May 2026 for the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for promotion to three cadres: Postal Assistant (Circle Office & Regional Offices), Postal Assistant (Post Office), and Sorting Assistant (Railway Mail Service). A total of 85 vacancies are notified for the year 2026 (01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026). This is strictly a departmental promotional exam — only currently serving officials of West Bengal Postal Circle who meet the eligibility service conditions are permitted to apply. This is not an open market recruitment. The pay scale for both Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant is Pay Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100) as per the 7th CPC, which translates to an approximate gross monthly salary of ₹38,000–42,000 after adding DA, HRA and transport allowance — a significant pay jump from Level-1/2/3 feeder posts. The written examination (Paper-I, 120 Minutes, 100 Marks) is scheduled for 21 June 2026 at 10:00 AM. Applications on the prescribed format (Annexure-I) must reach the concerned Divisional Office or Controlling Unit by 29 May 2026.
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India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026 2026Important Dates
| Notification Released | 11/05/2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application at Divisional Office | 29/05/2026 |
| Receipt at Regional Office (from Divisional Office) | 04/06/2026 |
| Receipt at Circle Office / Nodal Officer (from RO) | 09/06/2026 |
| Issue of Admit Card by Division/Unit Heads | 16/06/2026 |
| Date of Examination (Paper-I) | 21/06/2026 |
| Exam Start Time | 10:00 AM (All Centres) |
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026 2026Application Fee
| All Categories | ₹0 |
Payment: Not Applicable (Departmental Exam — No Fee)
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026: 85 PostsVacancy Details & Age Limit
| Post / Cadre | Total Posts | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Postal Assistant (Circle Office & Regional Offices) | 4 | Level-1/2/3 officials with requisite service. Category A or B as per Para 3. |
| Postal Assistant (Post Office) | 44 | Level-1/2/3 officials with requisite service. Category A or B as per Para 3. |
| Sorting Assistant (Railway Mail Service) | 37 | Level-1/2/3 officials with requisite service. Category A or B as per Para 3. |
| Total Vacancy | 85 | |
| Note: Vacancies are tentative for the year 2026 (01.01.2026 to 31.12.2026) and subject to change. PwBD reservation: 4% of total cadre strength as per DoPT OM No. 36012/1/2020-Estt. dated 28.12.2023. | ||
Recruitment Table: Category (Reservation) Wise Vacancy — All Three Cadres
| Post / Cadre | UR | SC | ST | Total | PwBD (out of Total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postal Assistant (CO & RO) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Postal Assistant (Post Office) | 34 | 0 | 10 | 44 | 2 |
| Sorting Assistant (RMS) | 28 | 6 | 3 | 37 | 2 |
| Total | 65 | 7 | 13 | 85 | 4 |
| Note:Vacancies are tentative and subject to revision. * PwBD posts are included within the total, not in addition to it. | |||||
Recruitment Table: Division-Wise Vacancy — Postal Assistant (Post Office) [Total: 44]
| Division / Unit | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| A/N Islands | 6 |
| Central Kolkata (incl. PSD & FPO) | 1 |
| Baruipur | 16 |
| Barasat | 3 |
| Nadia North | 1 |
| Nadia South | 1 |
| Murshidabad | 2 |
| Darjeeling | 1 |
| Dakshin Dinajpur | 1 |
| Jalpaiguri | 1 |
| Asansol | 2 |
| Bankura | 1 |
| Contai | 1 |
| Howrah | 2 |
| Midnapore | 3 |
| Purulia | 1 |
| Tamluk | 1 |
| Total | 44 |
| Note:Candidates must indicate preference for Division/Unit as per Annexure-III. | |
Recruitment Table: Division-Wise Vacancy — Sorting Assistant / RMS [Total: 37]
| RMS Division / Unit | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Kolkata RMS | 21 |
| Kolkata AP Sorting | 4 |
| RMS H | 3 |
| RMS WB | 7 |
| RMS SB | 1 |
| RMS SG | 1 |
| Total | 37 |
| Note:Candidates must indicate preference for Division/Unit as per Annexure-III. | |
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026Eligibility Criteria
- This is a DEPARTMENTAL exam only. Only currently serving officials of West Bengal Postal Circle (excluding officials from Postal Account Office or Wing) are eligible.
- Category A — i: Officials holding post in Level-3 of Pay Matrix with 3 years of regular service in Level-3, OR 5 years of combined regular service in posts of Level-1, Level-2 and Level-3.
- Category A — ii: Officials holding post in Level-2 of Pay Matrix with 5 years of regular service in Level-2 (including regular service in Level-1).
- Category A — iii: Officials holding post in Level-1 of Pay Matrix with 5 years of regular service in Level-1.
- Category B: Officials holding post in Level-1, Level-2, or Level-3 of Pay Matrix with total regular service of 8 years including service rendered regularly as Gramin Dak Sevaks. (Category B considered ONLY if sufficient Category A officials are not available.)
- Eligibility of service conditions shall be as on 01.01.2026.
- Eligibility is determined with respect to the post held substantively (not the level at which pay is drawn due to TBOP/BCR/MACP financial upgradation).
- Officials from Postal Account Office or Wing are NOT eligible to appear in this examination.
- Candidates should ensure they fulfil all eligibility criteria before applying — disqualification can happen at any stage of the process.
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026Pay Scale / Salary Structure
| Post Name | Salary Level |
|---|---|
| Postal Assistant (CO & RO) | Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 - ₹81,100) as per 7th CPC |
| Postal Assistant (Post Office) | Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 - ₹81,100) as per 7th CPC |
| Sorting Assistant (RMS) | Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 - ₹81,100) as per 7th CPC |
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026Selection Process Steps
- Step 1: Application submission on Annexure-I format to Divisional Office/Controlling Unit by 29/05/2026
- Step 2: Divisional Office forwards duly verified applications to Regional Office by 04/06/2026
- Step 3: Regional Office forwards to Circle Office (Nodal Officer) by 09/06/2026
- Step 4: Admit Cards issued by Division/Unit Heads to eligible candidates by 16/06/2026
- Step 5: Written Examination — Paper-I (120 Min, 100 Marks MCQ) on 21/06/2026 at 10:00 AM
- Step 6: Data Entry Skill Test (DEST — Paper-III, 15 Min, 25 Marks) conducted subsequently on a separate date
- Step 7: Merit List preparation based on Paper-I scores; Paper-III (DEST) is qualifying only
- Step 8: Allotment of Cadre/Division/Unit on merit-cum-preference basis as per Annexure-III
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026Detailed Exam Pattern
Recruitment Details: Exam Overview — Paper-I (Written Exam)
- Mode: Offline (OMR / MCQ Based).
- Negative Marking: No negative marking mentioned in official notification.
- Duration: 120 Minutes (2 Hours).
- Total Marks: 100 (in 2 Parts).
- Language: Bilingual — Hindi and English (as well as local language where Hindi is not local).
- Paper-II (Local Language Test): PERMANENTLY REMOVED vide Directorate letter dated 29.05.2024.
- DEST (Paper-III): Conducted separately and subsequently — NOT on the same day as Paper-I.
- DEST: 15 Minutes, 25 Marks, 800 key depressions (±5%) on computer.
- VH (Visually Handicapped) candidates are EXEMPTED from DEST.
- Merit is drawn solely in order of marks secured in Paper-I. Paper-III (DEST) is qualifying only.
- Minimum Qualifying Marks (Paper-I): SC/ST — 33% in each Paper; OBC — 37%; Others — 40%.
Recruitment Table: Paper-I — Part-A: Postal Knowledge (50 Marks, 50 Questions of 1 Mark Each)
| Subject / Topic | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Post Office Guide Part I (except Telegraphic Money Order) | 10 | 10 |
| Post Office Guide Part II (except British & Irish Postal order) | 10 | 10 |
| Basic terminologies related to IT Modernisation — Dept of Posts | 10 | 10 |
| Products & Services: Mails, Banking, Remittances, Insurance, Stamps (Ref: India Post website) | 10 | 10 |
| Postal Manual Vol VI (Part I) + Vol VI Part III (Ch I & II) + Updated SB Orders | 5 | 5 |
| Postal Manual Volume VII + Foreign Post Manual | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 50 | 50 |
Recruitment Table: Paper-I — Part-B: General & Aptitude (50 Marks, 50 Questions of 1 Mark Each)
| Subject / Topic | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness / Knowledge (Indian Geography, Civics, GK, Culture, Ethics — 2 Qs per topic) | 10 | 10 |
| Basic Arithmetic (BODMAS, %, Profit & Loss, SI, Average, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Unitary — 2-3 Qs per topic) | 20 | 20 |
| Reasoning & Analytical Ability (Non Verbal / Pictorial) | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 50 | 50 |
Recruitment Table: DEST (Paper-III) — Data Entry Skill Test (Qualifying)
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 Minutes |
| Maximum Marks | 25 Marks |
| Key Depressions Required | 800 key depressions (± 5%) |
| Minimum Qualifying (Gen/OBC/EWS) | 75% |
| Minimum Qualifying (SC/ST/PWD) | 60% |
| VH Candidates | Exempted from DEST |
| When Conducted | Separately — subsequently after Paper-I results |
Recruitment Table: Job Profile by Post
| Post / Cadre | Primary Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Postal Assistant (CO & RO) | Handle administrative and operational work at Circle Office or Regional Office — processing service matters, pension files, recruitment records, audit coordination, policy correspondence, and supervisory postal administration. |
| Postal Assistant (Post Office) | Counter operations including sale of postage stamps, money orders, savings bank transactions, PLI, speed post booking, registration, parcel handling, and delivery-related supervisory and backend functions at post offices. |
| Sorting Assistant (Railway Mail Service) | Sorting and segregating postal articles by destination pincode, mail bag management, transit mail processing, RMS van duty, mail exchange at railway stations, and maintenance of mail abstracts and records. |
Recruitment Table: Preference Order for Cadre / Division (Annexure-III)
| Cadre | Preference Order |
|---|---|
| (A) Postal Assistant (Circle Office & Regional Offices) | 1st / 2nd / 3rd |
| (B) Postal Assistant (Post Office) | 1st / 2nd / 3rd |
| (C) Sorting Assistant (RMS) | 1st / 2nd / 3rd |
Recruitment Table: Minimum Qualifying Marks — Paper-I (Category-wise)
| Category | Qualifying Marks (each Paper) |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 33% |
| OBC | 37% |
| Others (UR / EWS) | 40% |
| EWS (revised) | 37% |
| PWD (if not exempted for DEST) | 33% |
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026Subject-wise Syllabus Topics
The syllabus for LDCE 2026 follows Annexure-C of Directorate letter No. 17-08/2018-SPB-I dated 10.05.2019, as amended from time to time. Paper-I covers two sections: Postal Knowledge (Part-A) and General Aptitude (Part-B). Paper-II (Local Language) has been removed. DEST (Paper-III) is qualifying.
📚 Part-A: Post Office Guide & Postal Manuals
- Post Office Guide Part I — Organization of Dept, Types of Post Offices, Business Hours, Postage & Stamps, Packing, Sealing, Methods of Address, Post Boxes & Bags, Prohibited Articles, Products & Services.
- Post Office Guide Part II — (except British and Irish Postal order).
- Postal Manual Volume VI — Part I and Part III (Chapter I and II only).
- Updated SB Orders issued by Directorate till 31st December of the preceding year.
- Postal Manual Volume VII — all chapters.
- Foreign Post Manual — all relevant sections.
📚 Part-A: IT & Products
- Basic terminologies related to IT Modernisation projects of Department of Posts.
- Products and Services: Mails, Banking, Remittances, Insurance, Stamps and Business (Reference: India Post website — www.indiapost.gov.in).
📚 Part-B: General Awareness / Knowledge
- Indian Geography
- Civics
- General Knowledge
- Indian Culture & Freedom Struggle
- Ethics and Moral Study
📚 Part-B: Basic Arithmetic
- BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction)
- Percentage
- Profit and Loss
- Simple Interest
- Average
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Unitary Method
📚 Part-B: Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Pictorial reasoning
- Analytical ability testing (Non verbal / pictorial format — preferred as question paper has to be bilingual)
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026How to Apply
- Download the Application Form (Annexure-I) from this page or the official website www.westbengalpost.gov.in / www.indiapost.gov.in.
- Fill all particulars in BLOCK LETTERS as instructed. Affix a recent passport-sized photograph duly attested by Divisional Head / Unit Head in the box provided.
- Fill in details of posts held substantively (Level-1, 2, 3), date of entry in the department, and total eligible service as on 01.01.2026.
- Fill Annexure-III (Preference Form) to indicate your order of preference for Cadre (PA CO/RO / PA Post Office / SA RMS) and Division/Unit.
- Get the application countersigned by your Divisional/Unit Head with Designation Stamp. The Head must certify whether you are recommended as Category A or Category B candidate.
- Submit the completed application to your Divisional Office / Controlling Unit on or before 29/05/2026.
- APS (Army Postal Service) candidates must send their application to the concerned Divisions/Units only.
- Candidates working in Government/PSU must ensure there are no pending disciplinary proceedings — as per Directorate instructions, candidates with pending disciplinary/criminal cases will not be permitted.
Recruitment Note: About India Post — Department of Posts, Government of India
The Department of Posts (India Post), operating under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, is one of the oldest and most extensive postal networks in the world. Established in its modern form in 1854, India Post today operates through over 1,65,000 post offices — the largest postal network globally — serving both urban centres and the remotest rural corners of the country. The West Bengal Postal Circle, headquartered at the Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Kolkata 700012, oversees postal operations across West Bengal, Sikkim, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. India Post is not merely a mail delivery network; it functions as a critical financial inclusion pillar through Post Office Savings Bank (POSB), PLI/RPLI insurance, Aadhaar enrolment, and Passport Seva. Under the Government's flagship programmes like Speed Post, Dak Pay, and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), India Post continues to modernise rapidly. The Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant cadres form the operational backbone of India Post's day-to-day service delivery.
Recruitment Note: Benefits & Perks Beyond Salary
Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant are permanent central government posts under the Department of Posts. Beyond the Level-4 pay scale, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance (DA) revised quarterly, House Rent Allowance (HRA) based on city classification, Transport Allowance (TA), Medical facilities under CGHS/CS(MA) Rules for self and dependents, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), General Provident Fund (GPF) or NPS contributions, Gratuity on superannuation, Pension under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules or NPS as applicable, Annual Earned Leave, Casual Leave, Medical Leave, Maternity/Paternity leave, and Group Insurance under CGEGIS. Working in RMS as Sorting Assistant carries additional Night Duty Allowance for night shift mail processing duties. The posts also carry prospects for further departmental promotion to Inspector (Posts) through IP Exam and beyond.
Recruitment Note: Important Rules & Conditions
This LDCE notification is issued under Government Resolution No. MEDD-12/27/2024 and Directorate communication F. No. DE-12/2/2026-DE-DOP dated 06.05.2026. The Competent Authority reserves the right to cancel, modify, or postpone this notification at any point of time. Eligibility is determined on the post held substantively — financial upgradations under TBOP, BCR, or MACP do not count towards eligibility level determination. Where juniors who have completed qualifying service are eligible, their seniors also become eligible provided the senior is not short of qualifying service by more than half of such period or two years (whichever is less) and has successfully completed probation. This condition does not apply where juniors lost seniority after transfer under Rule-38 of the Postal Manual Volume-IV. All instructions issued vide letter No. X-7/6/2022-SPN-II dated 17.05.2023 regarding Government servants under disciplinary/criminal proceedings will be strictly followed.
India Post WB LDCE Postal Assistant Recruitment 2026Important Official Links
| Download Notification Advt No. Rectt/X-13/LGO Exam/2026 | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
Disclaimer Information provided here is for quick reference. Verify all details on the official website before taking action.
Quick Overview
🚀 Recruitment Overview
Quick Summary of the Notification
| Organization |  India Post WB Circle |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Postal Assistant & Sorting Assistant (LDCE) |
| Total Vacancy | 85 |
| Salary | Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 - ₹81,100) [Approx. ₹38,000 - ₹42,000/Month Gross] |
| Job Location | All India |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 29/05/2026 |
| Official Website | Visit Website ↗ |
💡 Expert Tip
This LDCE is strictly for departmental candidates — your eligibility is determined with reference to the post held substantively and the relevant pay level on 01.01.2026, NOT the level at which you are drawing pay due to financial upgradation (TBOP/BCR/MACP). Many candidates make this mistake and get disqualified. Category B candidates (GDS with 8 years service) will only be considered if sufficient Category A candidates are not available for filling the vacancies. Also note: the local language test (Paper-II) has been permanently removed since 29 May 2024. The DEST (Data Entry Skill Test — 800 key depressions in 15 minutes, 25 marks) will be conducted separately and subsequently — it is not held on the same day as the written exam. VH (Visually Handicapped) candidates are exempted from DEST.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What is the in-hand salary for Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant after LDCE promotion? ▼
Ans: Both posts are at Pay Level-4 (₹25,500 – ₹81,100) as per the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. After adding the current Dearness Allowance (~53% of basic), House Rent Allowance (8–24% depending on city), and Transport Allowance, the approximate gross monthly in-hand salary for a newly promoted Postal/Sorting Assistant starts at around ₹38,000 to ₹42,000 per month — a meaningful increase over the Level-1/2/3 feeder posts.
Q.2 What is the last date to submit the application for India Post LDCE 2026? ▼
Ans: The completed application on Annexure-I format must be submitted to the concerned Divisional Office / Controlling Unit on or before 29 May 2026. The Divisional Office must forward verified applications to the Regional Office by 04 June 2026, and the Regional Office must send them to the Circle Office (Nodal Officer) by 09 June 2026. Missing the 29 May 2026 deadline at Divisional level means automatic disqualification.
Q.3 Is there any negative marking in the India Post LDCE 2026 exam? ▼
Ans: No negative marking is mentioned anywhere in the official notification No. Rectt/X-13/LGO Exam/2026 or in the syllabus Annexure-C. Paper-I is a 100-mark MCQ paper and no penalty for wrong answers is stipulated. Candidates should attempt all questions without hesitation. The DEST (Paper-III) is a skill-based qualifying test and does not involve any MCQ-type marking.
Q.4 What is the age limit for appearing in India Post LDCE 2026? ▼
Ans: There is no age limit for this examination. It is a departmental promotional exam for serving officials of the West Bengal Postal Circle. Eligibility is entirely based on years of regular service (as on 01.01.2026) in Level-1, Level-2 or Level-3 of the Pay Matrix — not on the candidate's age. Both Category A and Category B service conditions are defined in Para 3 of the official notification.
Q.5 How to download the India Post WB LDCE 2026 Notification PDF? ▼
Ans: The official notification (Rectt/X-13/LGO Exam/2026, dated 11.05.2026) along with Annexure-I (Application Form), Annexure-II (Syllabus), and Annexure-III (Preference Form) can be downloaded from the Important Links section on this page or from the official websites www.westbengalpost.gov.in and www.indiapost.gov.in.
Q.6 What is the educational qualification required for Postal Assistant LDCE? ▼
Ans: No educational qualification is separately specified for this LDCE — it is a service-based eligibility exam. The candidate must be a serving official of the West Bengal Postal Circle holding a substantive post in Level-1, Level-2, or Level-3 of the Pay Matrix with the requisite years of regular service as on 01.01.2026. The existing service record and departmental category (A or B) determine eligibility, not academic qualifications.
Q.7 What is the selection process for Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant through LDCE? ▼
Ans: Applications are first screened at the Divisional, Regional, and Circle Office levels. Eligible candidates receive Admit Cards by 16 June 2026. The Written Exam (Paper-I, 120 minutes, 100 marks MCQ) is held on 21 June 2026 at 10:00 AM. Candidates qualifying Paper-I then appear for DEST (Paper-III, 800 key depressions in 15 minutes, qualifying only) on a subsequent date. Final merit is drawn based on Paper-I marks, and allotment of Cadre/Division is done on merit-cum-preference basis.
Q.8 Is the Local Language Test (Paper-II) still part of the India Post LDCE 2026 exam? ▼
Ans: No. The Local Language Test (Paper-II) has been permanently removed from the LDCE syllabus vide Directorate letter F.No.17-08/2018-SPN-I dated 29.05.2024. Only Paper-I (Written Exam, 100 marks) and Paper-III (DEST, 25 marks, qualifying) are now part of the examination. This change is specifically mentioned in Para 4 of the official notification for this exam.
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