Department of Posts Clarifies MACP Position on LDCE Promotions
Department of Posts Clarifies Stand on MACP Claims Linked to LDCE Promotions
The Department of Posts has issued a significant clarification regarding representations and court cases seeking financial upgradation under the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme by treating promotions obtained through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) as direct entry appointments. The clarification comes through a Directorate letter dated 15 July 2026, following the Hon'ble Supreme Court's order dated 24 February 2026.
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According to the Directorate, the Supreme Court's order did not decide the legal issue concerning the MACP Scheme, nor did it make any observation altering the existing policy. After consultation with the Department of Personnel & Training (DoP&T), the Department has decided to file a Review Petition before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Until further orders, all pending and future representations and CAT/Court cases are to be defended based on the Department's established position.
The Department has reiterated that appointments made through LDCE under the departmental promotion quota are promotions and not direct recruitment. This position is supported by the relevant Recruitment Rules governing Postal Assistant, Inspector Posts, and Postman/Mail Guard cadres, which clearly distinguish departmental promotion through LDCE from direct recruitment.
The communication further explains that the MACP Scheme provides three financial upgradations after completion of 10, 20, and 30 years of service, counted from the direct entry grade. Since promotions earned through LDCE already involve higher pay levels and pay fixation under FR 22(I)(a)(1), they are treated as financial upgradations under the MACP Scheme. Therefore, employees who have already availed the permissible three upgradations are not eligible for any additional financial upgradation by treating LDCE promotion as direct entry.
The Directorate has also cited several judicial precedents supporting its stand, including judgments of the Supreme Court, Madras High Court, Patna High Court, and the Full Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chennai, all of which recognize LDCE as a mode of promotion rather than direct recruitment.
The Department has instructed all Postal Circles to dispose of representations accordingly and to continue contesting similar cases until further instructions are issued. This clarification provides important guidance to postal employees and retirees while reaffirming the Department's consistent interpretation of the MACP Scheme and the legal status of LDCE promotions.