2272 is the newly sanctioned strength for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ personnel deputed to the Army Postal Service (APS), effective from March 27, 2026. The Department of Posts (PE-I Section) has issued formal orders re-distributing this deputation reserve quota across all postal circles, marking a significant reduction from the previous allocation.
APS Deputation Quota Revised Downward
Vide letter No. Q-25/45/2022-PE-I-DOP, the Ministry of Communications has officially superseded the December 2022 order. The total requirement of postal personnel on deputation to APS has been reduced by 757 posts.
- Total Revised Posts: 2272 (down from 3029).
- Cadres Involved: Supervisor, PA/SA, Postman, and MTS.
- Reason for Revision: 25% retention of regular cadre personnel in APS.
- Controlling Authority: SPN Branch of Personnel Division.
Reason for the Quota Reduction
The restructuring follows a communication from the Additional Director General (APS), Quartermaster General’s Branch. The approval to retain 25% regular cadre personnel permanently within the APS directly eliminated the need for a larger rotational deputation reserve from civil postal circles. Consequently, the PE-I division has proportionately revised the manpower limits.
| Deputation Parameter | Previous Order (Dec 2022) | New Order (Mar 2026) | Net Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Sanctioned Quota | 3029 Posts | 2272 Posts | -757 Posts |
| Regular Cadre Retention in APS | Not factored | 25% Approved | Reduced civil dependency |
| Management Branch | SPN Branch | SPN Branch | Unchanged |
Designation-Wise Post Breakdown
A granular analysis of the annexure attached to the March 2026 order reveals that Postal Assistants (PA) and Sorting Assistants (SA) continue to form the absolute bulk of the deputation requirements, making up over 64% of the total reserved manpower.
- PA / SA: 1467 posts
- Supervisor: 337 posts
- Postman: 281 posts
- MTS: 187 posts
Top 5 Circles Contributing to APS Deputation
Circle heads are now mandated to maintain the newly sanctioned strength of their respective ‘APS Deputation Reserve’ and ensure that the authorized manpower is serving at APS at any given point in time.
| Postal Circle | PA/SA Quota | Supervisor Quota | Total Sanctioned Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 207 | 50 | 292 |
| Maharashtra | 160 | 12 | 204 |
| Tamil Nadu | 112 | 20 | 161 |
| Rajasthan | 75 | 40 | 153 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 96 | 28 | 142 |
Conversely, circles like North East (27 posts), Chhattisgarh (29 posts), and Jharkhand (38 posts) hold the lowest deputation quotas under the revised framework.
Administrative Guidelines for Circles
The SPN Branch of the Personnel Division will continue to act as the central coordinating authority. They will individually inform concerned circles regarding anticipated vacancies, deficiencies, and the operational requirement of volunteers to fill the approved 2272 slots.
Circle Head Responsibilities
Maintain the exact numerical strength as per the 2026 annexure.
Process volunteer applications promptly upon SPN branch notification.
Ensure deputation periods adhere to prevailing DoPT and MoD rules.
What Ceases to Operate
The previous quota distribution matrix issued on 13.12.2022.
Any regional-level deputation adjustments not routed through the SPN Branch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why has the APS deputation quota been reduced in 2026?
The requirement for personnel on deputation has reduced from 3029 to 2272 due to the approval for the retention of 25% regular cadre personnel directly within the Army Postal Service (APS).
What is the new total sanctioned strength for APS deputation?
As per the Directorate order dated 27.03.2026, the revised total sanctioned strength for ‘APS Deputation Reserve’ across all postal circles is 2272 posts.
Which designations are covered under this APS deputation quota?
The Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts distributed for APS deputation include Supervisors (337 posts), Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants (1467 posts), Postmen (281 posts), and MTS (187 posts).
Which postal circle has the highest APS deputation quota?
Uttar Pradesh holds the highest deputation quota with 292 total posts, followed by Maharashtra with 204 posts and Tamil Nadu with 161 posts.
Who manages the filling of vacancies against the APS sanctioned strength?
Issues relating to deputation, provision of manpower, and filling up of posts against the sanctioned strength of APS are dealt with centrally by the SPN Branch of the Personnel Division, Directorate.
Does this order supersede previous APS deputation guidelines?
Yes. This order, vide letter No. Q-25/45/2022-PE-I-DOP dated 27.03.2026, officially supersedes the previous distribution letter issued on 13.12.2022.
हिंदी सारांश
डाक विभाग ने 27 मार्च 2026 को आर्मी पोस्टल सर्विस (APS) में प्रतिनियुक्ति (डेप्युटेशन) के लिए ग्रुप ‘C’ और ‘D’ पदों के कोटे को 3029 से घटाकर 2272 कर दिया है। यह कटौती APS में 25% नियमित कैडर कर्मियों को बनाए रखने की मंजूरी के कारण की गई है। इस कोटे में सबसे अधिक पद पोस्टल असिस्टेंट (1467) के लिए आरक्षित हैं। उत्तर प्रदेश सर्कल का कोटा सबसे अधिक (292 पद) है, जिसके बाद महाराष्ट्र (204) का स्थान है। सभी सर्कल प्रमुखों को इस नए कोटे के अनुसार APS में कर्मियों की संख्या बनाए रखने का निर्देश दिया गया है।
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