CO/RO Restructuring 2026
Parity Achieved
CO/RO to match Field Units (40:40:20)
Circle Office (CO/RO) Cadre Restructuring: End of Stagnation & “Inter-Changeability” with Field Units
- Issue: Slow Promotion in CO/RO
- Solution: Uniform 40:40:20 Ratio
- New Rule: Inter-Changeability with PO/RMS
- Benefit: Faster HSG-I/II Promotions
The “Admin vs Field” Battle Ends
For decades, staff in Circle Offices (CO) and Regional Offices (RO) complained that while Post Office (PO) staff got fast promotions, the Admin wing was ignored.
The 2026 Cadre Restructuring Report finally addresses this. The Committee has observed that CO/RO staff are “backbone administrators” and deserve Parity.
1. The New 40:40:20 Formula for CO/RO
The Committee has recommended that the “Pyramid” structure of CO/RO be dismantled. The new ratio mirrors the Field Units:
| Grade | Existing CO/RO Ratio | Proposed Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Postal Assistant (CO) | High (Entry Level) | 40% |
| LSG (Supervisory) | Very Low | 40% |
| HSG-II & HSG-I | Negligible | 20% |
2. The Game Changer: “Inter-Changeability”
This is the most radical proposal in the report.
The Proposal: To ensure that no one stagnates, the Committee suggests making the cadres of CO/RO, PO, and RMS inter-changeable at higher levels (HSG-I).
Meaning: An HSG-I officer from a Circle Office can be posted as a Postmaster in a Head PO, and vice-versa. This expands the “pool of posts” available for promotion.
3. Why This Matters?
🚀 No More “Dead End”
Earlier, CO staff would retire as LSG or HSG-II. Now, with 20% posts in Higher Supervisory, reaching Level 7 and Level 8 (Gazetted equivalent) becomes a reality for Admin staff.
🔄 Better Transfers
Inter-changeability means you are not stuck in the Regional Office forever. You can request a field posting closer to your home town if a vacancy exists.