Published: 14 August 2026 | Category: India Post Latest News, India Post Circulars, PA SA Departmental Exam
Important news for all Delhi Circle candidates.
The Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, Meghdoot Bhawan, New Delhi has issued the arrangement letter for the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) in connection with the LDCE / Competitive Examination for PA/SA promotion and recruitment, vacancy year 2026.
The letter gives three things every candidate needs right now – the venue, the shift timing, and the hall permit rules. Let us go through it in simple language.
Quick Summary
- Issued by: O/o Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, Meghdoot Bhawan, Link Road, New Delhi – 110001
- Letter Number: Rectt/R-2/LGO Exam/2026
- Signed on: 12.08.2026
- Exam: DEST for LDCE / CE for PA/SA, vacancy year 2026
- DEST Date: 16.08.2026 (Sunday)
- Conducted by: SSPOs, New Delhi West Division, New Delhi – 110028
- Paper-I was held on: 28.06.2026
- Total candidates appearing: 333 (280 shortlisted + 53 compassionate appointment)
DEST Venue (Same for All Shifts)
NIELIT, Delhi Centre 16/1-2, Institutional Area, Pankha Road, Near Sagarpur Police Station, D-Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi – 110058
Please check the route one day in advance. Sunday traffic is lighter, but the reporting rule is strict, so do not take a risk.
Division-Wise Candidate Count
| S.No. | Division / Unit | Shortlisted (LDCE/CE-2026) | Compassionate Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi East Division | 43 | 5 |
| 2 | Delhi North Division | 43 | 7 |
| 3 | New Delhi Central Division | 37 | 7 |
| 4 | New Delhi South Division | 40 | 7 |
| 5 | New Delhi South West Division | 27 | 3 |
| 6 | New Delhi West Division | 46 | 5 |
| 7 | Airmail Sorting Division | 8 | 8 |
| 8 | Delhi Sorting Division | 7 | 4 |
| 9 | New Delhi Sorting Division | 4 | 1 |
| 10 | New Delhi GPO | 6 | 3 |
| 11 | Delhi GPO | 14 | 3 |
| 12 | MMS | 2 | 0 |
| 13 | Circle Office | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 280 | 53 | |
| Grand Total | 333 |
New Delhi West Division has the highest number of shortlisted candidates (46), followed by Delhi East and Delhi North with 43 each.
DEST Shift Timings – Check Your Roll Number Carefully
The DEST will be conducted in five shifts. Each shift is only 15 minutes long.
| Shift | Roll No. From | Roll No. To | Divisions Covered | Candidates | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1501002 | 1502037 | All East Division + North Division up to 1502037 | 70 | 09:00 AM – 09:15 AM |
| 2nd | 1502039 | 1504029 | Remaining North + all Central + South up to 1504029 | 70 | 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM |
| 3rd | 1504030 | 1506143 | Remaining South + all South West + West up to 1506143 | 70 | 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM |
| 4th | 1506145 | 1514006 & 1406006 | Remaining West + Airmail, Delhi Sorting, ND Sorting, NDHO, Delhi GPO, MMS, FP & Circle Office | 69 + 1 GDS candidate (Roll No. 1406006) = 70 | 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM |
| 5th | 1501501 | 1511503 | All compassionate appointment candidates | 53 | 01:00 PM – 01:15 PM |
The Circle Office has given a special note on this: the roll number and allotted shift/timing must be checked carefully, and the correct shift and timing must be printed on the Hall Permit so that no candidate faces inconvenience.
So please match your roll number with the table above. Do not depend on word of mouth.
Hall Permit Rules – Very Important
This is where candidates usually lose their chance. Read every point.
- Fresh Hall Permits are to be issued to candidates shortlisted through LDCE/CE, retaining the same Roll Number allotted for Paper-I held on 28.06.2026.
- All Heads of Divisions/Units were asked to issue Hall Permits positively by 13.08.2026.
- The photograph and signature of the candidate on the Hall Permit must be duly attested by the Office In-charge.
- Candidates whose Hall Permits do not carry duly attested photograph and signature will NOT be permitted to appear in the examination.
- Candidates must also carry Office Identity Card / Aadhaar Card / Voter Identity Card to prevent any possibility of impersonation.
If your hall permit is not attested yet, go to your office in-charge today.
Reporting Time Rule – Do Not Take This Lightly
As per the instructions for candidates:
- Report at the venue one hour before your scheduled DEST start time.
- Entry closes 15 minutes before the scheduled commencement.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the examination hall after the closing time.
Example: if you are in the 1st shift (09:00 AM), reach by 08:00 AM. The gate will shut at 08:45 AM.
Rules Inside the Examination Hall
The Circle Office has attached a full instruction sheet. Here are the key points in simple words:
- Sign the attendance sheet in front of the invigilator after entering.
- Sit only on the allotted seat/computer. Do not change your system without the invigilator’s permission.
- Completely banned items: mobile phone, camera, smart watch, calculator, Bluetooth device, earphone or headphone, any electronic gadget, paper or any other prohibited material. Anyone found with these or using unfair means will face action.
- Check your keyboard, mouse and computer before starting. If there is a technical problem, tell the invigilator immediately. Do not try to fix it yourself. No complaint about this will be entertained after the DEST is over.
- Read the on-screen instructions carefully before starting.
- Do not start before the invigilator announces it. Wait for the announcement, then click the “Start” button.
- After clicking Start, do not close, minimise, refresh or disturb the DEST application in any way.
- No talking or helping other candidates. This is treated as unfair means and misconduct.
- Do not leave your seat or the hall during the DEST without permission.
- After finishing, wait for the invigilator’s instructions. Do not leave without permission.
- Verify the details printed on your evaluated answer sheet, sign in the space marked “Signature of the Candidate”, and hand it over to the invigilator before leaving.
- The decision of the examination authority and invigilator is final and binding.
Point 7 Deserves a Second Read
The instruction about checking your computer before starting is the one most candidates ignore.
You get only 15 minutes. If your keyboard has a sticky key or your mouse is not working, and you notice it at minute 10, nothing can be done afterwards. The letter says clearly that no complaint will be entertained after the DEST is completed.
So in your first minute at the seat – test the keyboard, test the mouse, and raise your hand immediately if anything feels wrong.
A Quick Checklist for 16.08.2026
Take a screenshot of this list:
- ✔ Hall Permit with attested photo and signature
- ✔ Office ID Card / Aadhaar Card / Voter ID
- ✔ Correct shift timing confirmed against your roll number
- ✔ Reach the venue one hour early
- ✔ Leave your mobile phone and smart watch outside the hall
- ✔ Test your computer in the first minute
- ✔ Sign the answer sheet and hand it over before leaving
For Everyone Preparing for the Next Cycle
If you are not in this list, this is your reminder. The PA SA Departmental Exam comes every vacancy year, and typing is half the battle.
What actually helps:
- Daily DEST typing practice with accuracy tracking, not just speed
- Postal Assistant Previous Year Question Papers and MTS to PA Question Paper sets
- Regular India Post Mock Tests to check your real standing
- Proper MTS to PA Study Material and Postman to PA Study Material made for departmental candidates
- Updated PA SA Syllabus and exam pattern
- Regular tracking of India Post Circulars, India Post Notifications and India Post Latest News
The Full India Post Promotion Ladder
- GDS ➜ MTS – through the GDS to MTS Departmental Exam
- GDS ➜ Postman / Mail Guard
- MTS ➜ Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant (PA/SA)
- Postman ➜ Postal Assistant (PA/SA)
- PA/SA ➜ LSG ➜ HSG-II ➜ HSG-I
Interesting point from this Delhi letter – one GDS candidate (Roll No. 1406006) is also appearing in the 4th shift. The ladder is genuinely open from the very first step.
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What you get:
- GDS to MTS Online Classes and GDS to MTS Complete Course
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- GDS to MTS Previous Year Question Papers PDF and GDS to MTS Syllabus PDF
- GDS to MTS Mock Test, question bank and practice sets
- GDS to Postman Coaching and GDS to Mail Guard preparation
- Daily India Post GK, Current Affairs and Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Where is the Delhi Circle DEST being held? At NIELIT, Delhi Centre, D-Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi – 110058.
Q2. What is the DEST date and how long is the test? 16.08.2026 (Sunday). Each shift runs for 15 minutes.
Q3. How many candidates are appearing? 333 in total – 280 shortlisted through LDCE/CE-2026 and 53 appointed on compassionate grounds.
Q4. Will my roll number change for DEST? No. Fresh hall permits are issued, but the same roll number from Paper-I held on 28.06.2026 is retained.
Q5. What if my hall permit photo is not attested? You will not be permitted to appear. Get it attested by your Office In-charge before the exam day.
Q6. When should I reach the venue? One hour before your shift. Entry closes 15 minutes before the shift starts.
Q7. Can I carry my phone or smart watch? No. Mobile phones, cameras, smart watches, calculators, Bluetooth devices and earphones are all prohibited.