Department of Posts Clarifies Rule-38 Transfer Process for MTS Officials Between Postal Units and DAP (PAO) Offices
Department of Posts Clarifies Rule-38 Transfer Process for MTS Officials Between Postal Units and DAP (PAO) Offices
The Department of Posts has issued a clarification regarding the processing of Rule-38 transfer requests of Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) between Postal Units/Administrative Offices and Department of Accounts (Postal) [DAP (PAO)] Offices. The clarification has been issued in response to representations received from various Postal Circles seeking guidance on the transfer procedure and schedule until the online transfer facility becomes available in APT 2.0.
Manual Processing to Continue
The Directorate has clarified that the online Rule-38 transfer module for MTS officials working in DAP (PAO) establishments is not yet operational in APT 2.0. Therefore, the interim arrangement introduced through the Directorate's letter dated 10 June 2025 will continue until DAP cadres are fully onboarded to APT 2.0 and the online transfer module becomes functional.
Half-Yearly Transfer Cycle
The Department has directed that Rule-38 transfer requests involving MTS officials between Postal Units and DAP (PAO) Offices shall continue to be processed manually in accordance with the Rule-38 Transfer Policy and other prescribed conditions.
These transfer requests will be processed twice every year, during the months of:
March
September
This schedule has been synchronized with the regular Rule-38 transfer cycles prescribed by the Directorate.
Competent Authorities for Approval
The clarification also specifies the competent authorities responsible for approving these transfer requests:
Chief Postmaster General (CPMG) – for transfers involving Circle establishments.
General Manager (Finance) / Director of Accounts (Postal) – for transfers relating to DAP (PAO) establishments.
Existing Rule-38 Guidelines Remain Applicable
The Directorate has reiterated that all other provisions of the Rule-38 Transfer Policy, along with instructions issued from time to time, will continue to apply while processing these manual transfer requests.
Valid Until Online Module is Operational
The Department has clarified that these instructions will remain in force until further orders or until the Rule-38 transfer module for DAP cadres becomes operational on APT 2.0, whichever is earlier.
Key Highlights
File No.: X-12/6/2021-SPN-II-DOP
Date: 06 August 2026
Subject: Clarification regarding Rule-38 transfer requests of MTS officials between Postal Units and DAP (PAO) Offices.
Manual processing will continue until the APT 2.0 online module is introduced.
Transfer requests will be processed half-yearly during March and September.
Existing Rule-38 Transfer Policy provisions remain applicable.
The instructions remain effective until the online Rule-38 module becomes operational for DAP cadres.