From February 18, 2026, the Department of Posts has amended the guidelines for the allocation of Inspector Posts (IP) and Assistant Superintendents of Posts (ASP) to Postal Circles, enforcing a stricter merit-cum-preference logic. The new directive clarifies that while “Home Circle” remains a priority for allocation, it is now strictly subject to the availability of clear vacancies in that specific category for the recruitment year 2025-26.
IP & ASP Allocation Amendment 2026: Key Changes
The amendment addresses the long-standing dispute regarding the ” Surplus Circle” to “Deficit Circle” movement. Previously, candidates were often allocated to distant circles (like North East or Gujarat) despite vacancies existing in neighboring states due to rigid roster points. The new guideline mandates that the Directorate must first exhaust all “Choice 1” preferences against the available roster points before moving to “Choice 2”.
In practice, this means an Inspector promoted through LDCE with a high rank can now displace a lower-ranked candidate for a coveted “Home Circle” posting, even if the lower-ranked candidate applied earlier. This aligns the allocation process with the DoPT’s general principles on service allocation.
Allocation Criteria: The New Priority Order
The allocation will now follow a rigid sequence to ensure transparency. The “Category” status (UR/SC/ST) travels with the candidate, meaning a Meritorious Reserved Candidate (MRC) can claim a Unreserved (UR) slot in their home circle if their rank is high enough.
| Priority Level | Criteria for Circle Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1st Priority | Merit Rank in LDCE / Exam |
| 2nd Priority | Preference of Circle (Choice 1, 2, 3) |
| 3rd Priority | Category Vacancy Availability |
| Tie-Breaker | Date of Joining (Length of Service) |
Impact on Temporary Transfer (Rule 38)
Employees must distinguish between “Initial Allocation” and “Rule 38 Transfer.” This order governs initial allocation upon promotion or recruitment. It does not automatically approve pending Rule 38 requests. However, the accurate determination of vacancies under this new guideline will indirectly speed up the processing of inward transfer requests by clarifying the “Clear Vacancy” status in each circle.
Administrative Note: Circles have been instructed to report “Chain Vacancies” resulting from these allocations within 15 days. Delay in reporting will result in the vacancy being carried forward to the next recruitment year, effectively killing the post for the current cycle.
Exclusions and Special Provisions
The amendment includes specific protections for certain categories of employees to ensure humane posting conditions.
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) – 40% & above
Spouse Grounds (if spouse is Central/State Govt)
Caregivers of Disabled Dependents
Request for “Soft Posting” without medical grounds
Employees with Vigilance Cases pending
Requests based on children’s education alone
What Should Officers Do Now?
Candidates awaiting allocation orders for the 2025-26 batch should immediately check their registered preferences on the online portal. If your “Home Circle” has reported zero vacancies in your category, update your “Choice 2” and “Choice 3” to nearby circles immediately. Leaving choices blank gives the Department the right to post you to any deficit circle (often remote areas) administratively.
Can I decline the promotion if allocated to a far circle?
Yes, you can decline under Rule 38 procedures (Refusal of Promotion), but you will be debarred from promotion for one year. Furthermore, you will lose your seniority benefit when you accept promotion in the next cycle.
Does this apply to GDS to Postman exams?
No. This specific order is for the Gazetted/Supervisory cadres of Inspector Posts (IP) and Assistant Superintendents (ASP). GDS allocation is governed by separate Circle-level recruitment rules.
Is the “Rotational Transfer” policy changed?
No. This amendment is for allocation upon promotion. The Rotational Transfer Policy (RTP) for tenure postings (every 3-4 years) remains unchanged as per the existing guidelines.
हिंदी सारांश
डाक विभाग ने 18 फरवरी 2026 को इंस्पेक्टर (IP) और ASP के सर्किल आवंटन (Allocation) के नियमों में संशोधन किया है। अब ‘होम सर्किल’ (गृह राज्य) का आवंटन पूरी तरह से मेरिट और उपलब्ध रिक्तियों पर आधारित होगा। यदि दो उम्मीदवारों की पसंद समान है, तो LDCE या परीक्षा में उच्च रैंक वाले को प्राथमिकता मिलेगी। यह आदेश पदोन्नति पर होने वाले आवंटन के लिए है, रोटेशनल ट्रांसफर के लिए नहीं।
📲 WhatsApp पर शेयर करें
