Big update for Karnataka Circle candidates. The Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru has released an Addendum notifying provisional vacancies in the Postman / Mail Guard (PM/MG) cadre for the vacancy year 2026, along with the Preference / Option Form that qualified candidates must submit.
The most important line in the whole notice: your option form must reach the Circle Office on or before 16.09.2026. If it does not reach in time, your name will not be considered for allotment, no matter how good your marks are.
Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications |
| Office | O/o The Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru – 560 001 |
| Notice No. | R&E/1-7/2026 |
| Notice Date | 10-09-2026 |
| Type | Addendum – Notification of Provisional Vacancies in PM/MG Cadre |
| Exam | LDCE / CE for Postman & Mail Guard |
| Exam Date | 12-07-2026 |
| DEST Date | 30-08-2026 |
| Vacancy Year | 2026 (01-01-2026 to 31-12-2026) |
| Total Postman Vacancies | 273 (146 LDCE + 127 CE) |
| Total Mail Guard Vacancies | 3 (2 LDCE + 1 CE) |
| Option Form Last Date | 16-09-2026 (must reach Circle Office) |
| Signed By | Narayana Marthi, Asst. Director (R&E) |
| Websites | www.indiapost.gov.in / Karnataka Post website |
What This Notice Means in Simple Words
- This is a continuation of the earlier notifications dated 01-06-2026 (memo No. R&E/1-7/2026 and R&E/2-19/2026).
- The circle has now compiled the provisional, tentative vacancy figures received from all Regions.
- Vacancies are given in Annexure I (LDCE – for MTS officials) and Annexure II (CE – for GDS candidates).
- Candidates who qualified (as per letter No. R&E/DEST/Dealings dated 27-08-2026) must now fill the Preference Form and submit it through their Divisional Head.
- Regional Offices have to forward the forms so they reach the Circle Office on or before 16.09.2026.
- Vacancy numbers may still change. The notice clearly says any variation due to administrative reasons will be notified at the time of declaration of results.
How the Vacancies Are Split
The Postman and Mail Guard posts are filled in two equal parts:
- Part (A) – 50% by promotion of Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) of the recruiting Postal Circle, on the basis of LDCE. This is the MTS to Postman route.
- Part (B) – 50% by direct recruitment limited to GDS of the recruiting Postal Circle, on the basis of Competitive Examination (CE). This is the GDS to Postman route.
So GDS candidates and MTS officials are not competing with each other. Each group has its own share of posts.
Karnataka Circle – Postman Vacancy Total (Category Wise)
Part-A: LDCE (for MTS officials)
| UR | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | 23 | 12 | 146 |
PH Quota inside this: VH – 7, HH – 6, OH – 3, Others – 4
Part-B: CE (for GDS candidates)
| UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 12 | 127 |
PH Quota inside this: VH – 5, HH – 5, OH – 2, Others – 3
Small note: The summary table on the first page of the memo shows 147 (LDCE) and 126 (CE), while the detailed Annexure totals add up to 146 and 127. Treat the Annexure division-wise figures as the working list, and wait for the final confirmation at result time.
Division-Wise Postman Vacancies – Karnataka Circle 2026
This is the table you actually need before writing your preference order.
| Sl | Division | LDCE UR | LDCE SC | LDCE ST | LDCE Total | CE UR | CE SC | CE ST | CE OBC | CE EWS | CE Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru East | 22 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 26 |
| 2 | Bengaluru West | 27 | 5 | 3 | 35 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 23 |
| 3 | Bengaluru South | 15 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| 4 | Bengaluru GPO | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Channapatna | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 6 | Bagalkot | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Ballari | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Belagavi | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | Bidar | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | Chikodi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Dharwad | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| 12 | Gadag | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 13 | Gokak | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Haveri | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | Kalaburagi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 16 | Karwar | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | Koppal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Raichur | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 19 | Sirsi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 20 | Vijayapura | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 21 | Yadgiri | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Chikkamagaluru | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Chitradurga | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 24 | Davangere | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Hassan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 26 | Kodagu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 27 | Kolar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 28 | Mandya | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Mangaluru | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 30 | Mysuru | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 31 | Nanjangud | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Puttur | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 33 | Shivamogga | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 34 | Tumakuru | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 35 | Udupi | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 111 | 23 | 12 | 146 | 75 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 12 | 127 |
Divisions with Zero Vacancies – Be Careful
Do not waste your top preferences on these. For LDCE: Chikodi, Gokak, Koppal, Yadgiri, Hassan, Kolar. For CE: Chikodi, Gokak, Koppal, Yadgiri, Chikkamagaluru, Davangere, Mandya, Nanjangud.
Mail Guard Vacancies – Karnataka Circle 2026
| Sl | Unit | LDCE UR | LDCE SC | LDCE ST | LDCE Total | CE UR | CE Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru Sorting | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | RMS “HB” | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | RMS “Q” | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Only 3 Mail Guard posts in the whole circle. Very tight competition — but remember, you will not be considered for Mail Guard at all unless you write “Yes” for it in the option form.
The Option Form – Read This Part Carefully
This is where most candidates lose posts. Not in the exam, in the form.
Part (A) – Option for Post
- You must write “Yes” or “No” for Postman and for Mail Guard.
- Never leave the field blank. The notice specifically says the field should not be left blank.
- If you write “No” for Mail Guard, your name will not appear in the Mail Guard merit list at all.
- You may opt for one post or both. If both, give the order of preference (1st / 2nd).
Part (B) – Order of Preference of Divisions/Units
- For Postman, there are 35 slots to fill with division names.
- For Mail Guard, there are 3 slots (units).
- Write the full name of the division clearly.
Details you must fill
- Name of the Candidate
- Roll No
- Name of the Division
- Designation & Office Name
- Date of Birth
- Community (UR/SC/ST)
- PH status, if applicable
Declarations
- SC/ST candidates (both MTS and GDS applicants) can sign the migration declaration — meaning if you qualify on your own merit against a UR vacancy, you may opt to be migrated to the reserved category if that gets you a division higher in your preference list.
- OBC/EWS candidates (GDS / CE applicants only) have a similar migration declaration.
- The Divisional Head / Unit Head must certify that you are eligible and have filled the preference order correctly, and affix the office seal.
How Allotment Actually Works (Very Important)
The notice spells out the rules. In simple terms:
- Merit is decided by Paper-I + Paper-II marks only. Paper-III and Paper-IV (DEST) are qualifying in nature and do not count towards merit.
- You must qualify in Paper-I, Paper-II, Paper-III and Paper-IV (DEST) separately to be considered for final selection.
- Allotment is category wise (UR, SC, ST), matched against your order of preference, subject to vacancies being available in that division on your turn.
- If a tie occurs, inter-se rank is decided as per Directorate letter No. 04-08/2019-SPN-I dated 11.12.2020.
- A candidate may come in merit but still miss a division because they wrote too few preferences, or because higher-ranked candidates already took those posts.
- Once allotted and joined, you cannot ask for re-allotment later, even if a vacancy in your top preference opens up due to someone declining. Declined vacancies go to the next meritorious candidate below you.
- The whole selection is provisional and subject to fulfilment of recruitment rules. The department can modify, delete or cancel appointment if a candidate is found ineligible. No separate notice will be issued for that.
Three practical tips
- Fill all 35 preferences. Leaving the list short is the single biggest reason candidates in merit get no posting.
- Put high-vacancy divisions in the mix. Bengaluru West (35 LDCE), Bengaluru East (26 + 26) and Bengaluru South (17 + 16) have the most posts.
- Say “Yes” to both posts if you are eligible. Saying “No” to Mail Guard removes a chance for nothing in return.
Rules and Letters Referred in This Notice
- Postman and Mail Guard Recruitment Rules, 2018 (as amended)
- SOP vide letter No. A-34012/02/22-DE dated 11.08.2022
- Model notification, Directorate letter No. DE-12/03/2026-DE-DOP dated 26-05-2026
- Circle notifications No. R&E/1-7/2026 and R&E/2-19/2026, both dated 01-06-2026
- Directorate letters No. 17-08/2018-SPN-I dated 05.04.2022, 19.12.2022, 18.10.2023, 31.10.2023
- Directorate letter No. 04-08/2019-SPN-I dated 11.12.2020 (tie-breaking)
- Guidelines for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: No. SC-12-10/2017-SCT dated 25-08-2025
Where to Download the Notification and Option Form
- Visit www.indiapost.gov.in or the Karnataka Post website.
- Go to the recruitment / notices / circulars section.
- Look for Addendum – Notification of Provisional Vacancies in PM/MG Cadre, R&E/1-7/2026 dated 10-09-2026.
- Download the PDF with Annexure I & II and the Preference Form proforma.
- Print the option form, fill it in, get it certified by your Divisional Head, and submit it in time.
FAQ
Q1. What is the last date to submit the option form? It must reach the Circle Office on or before 16.09.2026 through your Regional Office.
Q2. How many Postman posts are there in Karnataka Circle for 2026? As per the Annexures, 146 through LDCE (MTS) and 127 through CE (GDS) — 273 in total.
Q3. Do Paper-III and DEST marks count in the merit list? No. They are only qualifying. The merit list is made from Paper-I + Paper-II combined marks.
Q4. Can I fill the form if I did not qualify? The form is meant for candidates listed in letter No. R&E/DEST/Dealings dated 27-08-2026. Confirm your status with your Divisional Head.
Q5. Are these vacancy numbers final? No. They are provisional and tentative. Any change will be notified when results are declared.
Q6. What if I get a division I did not want? By signing the declaration, you accept posting to any other division if your preferences are not available. The decision of the CPMG, Karnataka Circle is final.
Getting Ready for the Next Attempt?
If you missed this cycle, the next round of the GDS to Postman, GDS to MTS and MTS to PA departmental exams will come around again. What works:
- GDS to Postman previous year question papers and GDS to MTS previous year question papers — the fastest way to understand the real paper level.
- GDS to Postman syllabus PDF and GDS to MTS syllabus PDF — study only what is asked.
- GDS to Postman mock tests and GDS to MTS mock tests — build accuracy under time pressure.
- GDS to MTS online classes and GDS to Postman coaching — live plus recorded, so working staff can study after duty hours.
- DEST typing practice — many candidates clear Paper-I and Paper-II but fail here. Do not leave it for the last week.
- MTS to PA online classes and Postman to PA coaching — for those aiming at the Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant cadre next.
Final Words
The exam is over. The vacancy list is out. Right now, the only thing standing between you and a Postman post is one correctly filled form submitted before 16.09.2026.
Fill all preferences. Say “Yes” to both posts if eligible. Get the Divisional Head’s signature and seal. Submit early, not on the last day.