Department of Posts Issues Clarification on Delivery Centres – Key Administrative Guidelines Explained
Department of Posts Issues Clarifications on Establishment & Administrative Matters for Delivery Centres
The Department of Posts has issued comprehensive clarifications on various establishment and administrative matters relating to the setting up and functioning of Delivery Centres (DCs) across the country. The clarification, issued by the Postal Directorate (PE-I Division) on 19 June 2026, addresses several queries raised by Postal Circles and Service Unions regarding staffing, redeployment, administrative control, treasury functions, and operational management of Delivery Centres.
Download Establishment & Administrative Matters for Delivery Centres in PDF
The clarification follows earlier policy guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Mail Operations Division for centralized delivery of postal articles through Delivery Centres. The latest document aims to bring uniformity in implementation across all Postal Circles.
Key Clarifications Issued
1. Establishment Review of Delivery Centres
The Department has clarified that the assessment and review of Delivery Centre establishments should continue to follow the existing Postman Establishment Norms, along with the mechanized delivery norms already issued by the Mail Operations Division. Supervisory posts are also to be assessed based on the existing establishment norms applicable to Post Offices until further orders.
2. Redeployment of Staff
Sanctioned posts should be mapped to Delivery Centres through redeployment, rather than merely on an attachment basis. Following redeployment, the concerned authorities should also update the mapping of leave and salary units accordingly.
3. Administrative Control of Delivery Centres
The Directorate has clarified that Delivery Centres will function as independent administrative units under the direct control of the Divisional Head. While delivery operations shift to Delivery Centres, the existing reporting structure of Head Offices (HOs), Sub Offices (SOs), and Post Offices (POs) will continue without change for the remaining staff.
4. Leave, APAR and Service Records
The In-charge or Supervisor of the Delivery Centre may sanction leave for officials working in the Delivery Centre in the same manner as in Post Offices. PF records may also be maintained at the Delivery Centre, while APAR writing will continue as per the existing departmental guidelines.
5. Classification of Delivery Centres
Delivery Centres may be classified as LSG, HSG-II, HSG-I, Assistant Director level, or even higher, depending upon the staff strength and supervisory requirements calculated under existing establishment norms.
6. Staffing Norms
The Directorate has clarified that Delivery Centres should be provided with the required number of Postal Assistants for activities such as bag receipt, opening, scanning, sorting and other operational functions. Supervisory posts should also be sanctioned based on workload and approved norms.
7. Treasury Functions
Delivery Centres may also perform treasury-related functions wherever required. Staff strength for treasury work should be assessed based on revised norms and the actual workload, with treasury operations organized on the lines of a Sub Office functioning under a Head Office.
8. Redeployment of PRI (P) Posts
The Directorate has clarified that LSG PRI (P) posts may be redeployed to Delivery Centres wherever justified based on the actual delivery workload and existing norms.
9. Branch Post Office Rationalization
The Department has also addressed the issue of delivery through Branch Post Offices (BOs). Considering operational efficiency and distance from Delivery Centres, Postal Circles may shift delivery functions from delivery BOs to Delivery Centres wherever appropriate. In such cases:
- Delivery work may be centralized at the Delivery Centre.
- Delivery responsibilities of ABPMs may be shifted to the Delivery Centre.
- Delivery BOs may be converted into Non-Delivery Branch Offices, allowing them to focus exclusively on counter services and customer support.
Objective of the Clarification
These clarifications are intended to ensure uniform implementation of Delivery Centres across all Postal Circles, remove ambiguity regarding establishment matters, streamline staffing and administrative procedures, and improve operational efficiency under the IT 2.0 framework. The document also provides clear guidance on redeployment of staff, supervisory structure, treasury arrangements, and rationalization of delivery operations.
The latest clarification is expected to facilitate the smooth operationalization of Delivery Centres while maintaining consistency in establishment procedures throughout the Department of Posts.