Department of Posts, Training Division — Letter No. Tr-29/1/2026-Training-DOP dated 07.08.2026
India Post has issued an important clarification about training for MTS and Postman staff. Many Circles were confused after the earlier letter dated 03.07.2026. This new letter clears that confusion.
In simple words: your old induction training at WTC stays the same. The new residential training at PTC/RTC is a different programme with a new name — ICBP.
Here is everything, explained in plain language.
Quick Summary Table
| Point | What the Circular Says |
|---|---|
| Letter Number | Tr-29/1/2026-Training-DOP |
| Issued By | Department of Posts, Training Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi |
| Date | 07.08.2026 |
| Addressed To | Chief Postmasters General, All Circles |
| Subject | Clarification on Induction Training and Institutional Capacity Building Programme (ICBP) for MTS and Postman Cadres |
| Signed By | Stefan Simon Tobias, ADG (CP & Training) |
| Main Effect | Induction Training at WTCs continues. PTC/RTC residential training is renamed ICBP |
| Exemption | Officials with less than 2 years of residual service need not be deputed for ICBP |
Why This Letter Was Issued
- On 03.07.2026, the Training Division had issued revised guidelines on induction training of MTS and Postman officials.
- After that letter, many Circles wrote to the Directorate asking how to implement it.
- The Directorate examined the matter.
- With the approval of the Competent Authority, this clarification was issued for uniform implementation across all Circles.
So this is not a new policy. It is a clarification of an existing one.
The Three Earlier Letters Referred To
The circular is based on three earlier communications. These are important because they are still valid.
| Sr. | Reference | Details |
|---|---|---|
| (i) | Induction Training STP — 03 weeks — Postman Cadre | Prepared by PTC Saharanpur. Approved/circulated vide Member (HRD)’s D.O. No. 01-64/2009-Trg. dated 30.09.2025 and SPN letter No. W-04/2/2020-SPN-I-Part(I) dated 19.09.2025 |
| (ii) | Induction Training STP — 02 weeks — MTS Cadre | Prepared by PTC Madurai. Approved/circulated vide Training Division letter No. 01-64(ii)/2009-Trg. dated 21.01.2026 |
| (iii) | Revised guidelines on induction training | Issued by Training Division vide letter of even number dated 03.07.2026 |
STP means Syllabus and Training Plan — the official course structure for a training programme.
Clarification 1: Induction Training at WTCs Continues
This is the most important point for staff.
What the 03.07.2026 letter (Para 3) had said: The existing Induction STPs of two weeks for MTS Cadre and three weeks for Postman Cadre were being reviewed for greater uniformity, standardization, quality and effectiveness, and were being revised accordingly.
What the new clarification says:
- The existing Induction Training STPs — two weeks for MTS and three weeks for Postman — conducted at WTCs shall continue to remain in force.
- These shall continue to be treated as the prescribed Induction Training for the respective cadres.
- The two-week (MTS) and three-week (Postman) residential training programmes conducted at PTCs/RTCs under the letter dated 03.07.2026 shall NOT be treated as Induction Training.
- These residential programmes shall not replace the existing Induction Training at WTCs.
In simple words: WTC induction training = still the official induction training. PTC/RTC residential training = something extra, not induction training.
Clarification 2: PTC/RTC Residential Training Is Now Called ICBP
What the 03.07.2026 letter (Para 4) had said: With the approval of the Secretary (Posts), it had been decided that induction training of all MTS and Postman officials who had not undergone induction training up to the date of that letter would henceforth be conducted only at Postal Training Centres (PTCs) and Regional Training Centres (RTCs) having hostel/accommodation facilities, and that induction training for these categories would no longer be conducted at WTCs.
What the new clarification says:
- The three-week residential training for Postman and the two-week residential training for MTS conducted at PTCs/RTCs shall henceforth be treated as an Institutional Capacity Building Programme (ICBP).
- The purpose of ICBP is to strengthen the professional competencies of serving officials.
- ICBP shall not substitute or replace the prescribed Induction Training at WTCs referred to at (i) and (ii) above.
In simple words: The Directorate has given the PTC/RTC residential programme a separate identity. It is a capacity building course for serving staff — not a replacement for induction training.
Clarification 3: Who Will Be Deputed for ICBP
This point directly affects serving MTS and Postman officials.
- All Postman and MTS officials may be deputed to undergo the prescribed Institutional Capacity Building Programme (ICBP) at PTCs/RTCs.
- Deputation will be as per the training schedule communicated by the Training Division from time to time.
- Exemption: Officials having less than two years of residual service need not be deputed for this programme.
Residual service means the service left before your date of superannuation (retirement). So if you have less than two years left, you are not required to be sent for ICBP.
Induction Training vs ICBP — The Difference in One Table
| Point | Induction Training | ICBP (Institutional Capacity Building Programme) |
|---|---|---|
| Where conducted | WTCs (Workplace Training Centres) | PTCs / RTCs with hostel facility |
| Duration — MTS | 2 weeks | 2 weeks (residential) |
| Duration — Postman | 3 weeks | 3 weeks (residential) |
| Status | Prescribed Induction Training for the cadre | Capacity building programme for serving officials |
| Does it replace the other? | No | No — it does not substitute or replace Induction Training |
| Who is exempted | Not specified in this circular | Officials with less than 2 years residual service |
| Basis | Letters dated 30.09.2025 and 21.01.2026 | Letter dated 03.07.2026, as clarified on 07.08.2026 |
Instructions to Circles
- All Heads of Circles are requested to ensure these clarifications are brought to the notice of:
- all concerned officers
- all WTCs
- all administrative units under their jurisdiction
- This is to be done for strict compliance.
- The letter issues with the approval of the competent authority.
Copy Marked To
The circular has been copied for information and necessary action to:
- The Deputy Director General, Personnel Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi
- The Directors, All Postal Training Centres (PTCs)
- The Project In-charge, Dak Karmayogi (DKY) Portal, PTC Vadodara
- The Assistant Directors / In-charge, All Regional Training Centres (RTCs)
The marking to the Dak Karmayogi Portal in-charge indicates the training records side of the system is also being kept informed.
What This Means for You — Practical Points
If you are a newly joined MTS or Postman official:
- Your prescribed induction training remains the WTC programme — 2 weeks for MTS, 3 weeks for Postman.
- If you are later called to a PTC/RTC residential programme, that is ICBP, a separate programme.
If you are a serving MTS or Postman official:
- You may be deputed for ICBP at a PTC/RTC as per the schedule circulated by the Training Division.
- If your residual service is less than two years, deputation is not required.
If you handle establishment work in a division:
- Do not record the PTC/RTC residential programme as Induction Training in service records.
- Keep the two programmes clearly separate in your training registers and nominations.
Common Abbreviations Used
| Short Form | Full Form |
|---|---|
| MTS | Multi Tasking Staff |
| ICBP | Institutional Capacity Building Programme |
| STP | Syllabus and Training Plan |
| WTC | Workplace Training Centre |
| PTC | Postal Training Centre |
| RTC | Regional Training Centre |
| ADG | Assistant Director General |
| HRD | Human Resource Development |
| DKY | Dak Karmayogi |
| SPN | Staff Personnel Section (Directorate) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Has induction training for MTS and Postman been shifted fully to PTCs and RTCs? No. This circular clarifies that the existing induction training at WTCs continues to remain in force and continues to be treated as the prescribed induction training for both cadres.
Q2. Then what is the PTC/RTC residential training? It is now treated as the Institutional Capacity Building Programme (ICBP). It is meant to strengthen the professional competencies of serving officials.
Q3. Will ICBP count as my induction training? No. The circular clearly states that ICBP shall not be treated as Induction Training and shall not substitute or replace it.
Q4. How long is ICBP? Two weeks for MTS officials and three weeks for Postman officials, conducted on a residential basis at PTCs/RTCs.
Q5. Is ICBP compulsory for everyone? All Postman and MTS officials may be deputed for it as per the schedule communicated by the Training Division. However, officials having less than two years of residual service need not be deputed.
Q6. Who will inform me about the ICBP dates? The training schedule is communicated by the Training Division from time to time. Your Circle/Division office will nominate officials as per that schedule.
Q7. Which letter is being clarified here? The Training Division letter of even number dated 03.07.2026, specifically Para 3 and Para 4 of that letter.
Q8. Who signed this circular? Stefan Simon Tobias, ADG (CP & Training), Department of Posts, dated 07.08.2026.
Q9. Does this circular change any promotion rule? No. This circular deals only with training arrangements for MTS and Postman cadres. It does not deal with promotion, seniority or examination matters.
Important Note
This post explains the circular in simple language for the benefit of postal staff. For any official action, always refer to the original letter No. Tr-29/1/2026-Training-DOP dated 07.08.2026 received through your Circle or Divisional office. In case of any difference, the original circular will prevail.