Draft Recruitment Rules, 2026 of Lower Division Clerk, Junior Accountant and Senior Accountant in Postal Accounts Offices (PAOs)

File No. 1(01)/2026/PA Admn.1/7016-7075

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts

PA Wing, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi

Dated: 08.04.2026

NOTICE

Sub: Draft Recruitment Rules, 2026 of Lower Division Clerk, Junior Accountant and Senior Accountant in Postal Accounts Offices (PAOs) – reg.

The undersigned is directed to state that as per DoPT's O.M. No. AB-14017/61/2008-Estt.(RR) dated 13.10.2015, the proposal for framing/amendment of Recruitment Rules (RRs) is required to be uploaded on the website of respective Ministries/Departments for a period of 30 days for inviting comments from stakeholders.

The Competent Authority has decided to frame/revise the Recruitment Rules governing the appointment to the posts of Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Accountant and Senior Accountant in Postal Accounts Offices (PAOs), Department of Posts. The draft Recruitment Rules for the aforesaid cadres are enclosed herewith for inviting comments from stakeholders.

Stakeholders are requested to go through the draft Recruitment Rules and furnish their comments, if any, to the undersigned within a period of one month from the date of issue of this notice.

The draft Recruitment Rules shall be available on the official website of the Department of Posts (www.indiapost.gov.in) for a period of 30 days from the date of publication of this notice.

Encl: As above

Copy to:

All Chief Postmasters General.
All Heads of Postal Accounts Offices (PAOs).
All Postal Service Associations.
Director, CEPT – with a request to upload the draft Recruitment Rules on the official website of India Post for 30 days. (Hindi Version will follow)
e-office Board.

The draft Recruitment Rules, 2026 for three posts in Postal Accounts Offices (PAOs), to be published in the Gazette of India. Each set of rules follows a similar legal structure and includes provisions for short title, commencement, application, number of posts, classification, pay matrix, recruitment method, age limits, qualifications, probation, disqualifications (including a specific provision against marrying a person with a living spouse), power to relax, and savings for reserved categories.

1. Lower Division Clerk (LDC) – Pages 2–5

Total posts: 800* (subject to variation)

Classification: General Central Service, Group ‘C’, Non-Gazetted, Ministerial

Pay Level: Level 2 (₹19,900–₹63,200)

Selection post

Recruitment:

60% – Direct Recruitment through SSC (age 18–27 years, relaxable for govt. servants up to 40 years; qualification: 12th pass + typing speed 35 w.p.m. English / 30 w.p.m. Hindi)
30% – Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) from Group ‘C’ officials in Level 1 with 3 years’ service
10% – Seniority-cum-fitness (SCF) from Group ‘C’ officials in Level 1 with 3 years’ service

Probation: 2 years for direct recruits

DPC Composition: Deputy Director/ACAO (Chairman), one Senior Officer from Admin (Member), one Senior Officer nominated by Head of PAO

2. Junior Accountant –

Total posts: 828* (subject to variation)

Classification: General Central Service, Group ‘C’, Non-Gazetted, Ministerial

Pay Level: Level 5 (₹29,200–₹92,300)

selection post

Recruitment:

60% – Direct Recruitment through SSC (age 18–27 years, bachelor’s degree required)
30% – LDCE from LDCs and Stenographer Grade-II with 3 years’ service and 12th pass
10% – SCF from LDCs with 5 years’ service and 12th pass
Probation: 2 years for direct recruits

DPC Composition: Same as above

3. Senior Accountant

Total posts: 3,312* (subject to variation)

Classification: General Central Service, Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted, Ministerial

Pay Level: Level 6 (₹35,400–₹1,12,400)

Selection post

No direct recruitment (age/qualifications not applicable)

Recruitment:

50% – SCF from Junior Accountants in Level 5 with 6 years’ service (protection clause: 3 years for those already in feeder post on notification date)
50% – LDCE from Junior Accountants with 3 years’ service, failing which by deputation (from Central/State/UT govt. officials holding analogous post or with 6 years’ service in Level 5 + 2 years accounting/auditing experience; max age 56 years; deputation period ordinarily not exceeding 3 years)
Probation: 2 years

Note: Departmental Confirmatory Examination qualification required for promotion to Senior Accountant.

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