Short summary: The Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru has issued instructions dated 27-08-2026 for conducting the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) for candidates who qualified the LDCE / CE for promotion and recruitment to the Postman / Mail Guard (PM/MG) cadre for vacancy year 2026. The written papers were held on 12-07-2026, and the skill test will now be held on 30-08-2026 (Sunday) at PTC, Mysuru.
If you are preparing for the GDS to Postman departmental exam, MTS to Postman/Mail Guard, or planning ahead for GDS to MTS, MTS to PA, or Postman to PA, this notice tells you exactly how the skill test stage works. Read it fully.
Quick Snapshot – GDS to Postman / Mail Guard DEST 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Circle | Karnataka Circle (India Post) |
| Exam | Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) |
| Cadre | Postman / Mail Guard (PM/MG) |
| Vacancy Year | 2026 |
| Paper I & II held on | 12-07-2026 |
| DEST Date | 30-08-2026 (Sunday) |
| Venue | Postal Training Centre (PTC), Mysuru |
| Reporting Time | 08:30 AM |
| Test Starts | 09:15 AM onwards |
| Duration | 15 minutes |
| Maximum Marks | 25 |
| Letter No. | R&E/DEST/Dealings dated 27-08-2026 |
| Issued by | O/o the Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru – 560 001 |
Who Has to Appear for This DEST?
The test is being held centrally at PTC Mysuru for two groups of qualified candidates:
- MTS to PM/MG cadre – 379 qualified MTS candidates
- GDS to PM/MG cadre – 523 qualified GDS candidates
A few things worth noting about this list:
- The shortlist is limited to three times the approximate number of vacancies.
- Shortlisting follows Directorate letter no. 17-08/2018-SPN-I dated 19-12-2022.
- The list is not arranged as per Circle merit – the names appear in random order. So don’t try to guess your rank from your serial number.
- The list is tentative until the category and provisional permission of candidates is confirmed by the Regional / Divisional Heads.
- The list has been uploaded on the Karnataka Post website.
Exam Supervision Team at PTC Mysuru
- Centre Supervisor: Shri B. Narasappa, Deputy Director, PTC Mysuru
- Assistant Centre Supervisors: Shri K. Balaraju, Assistant Director (Trg) and Shri S. Shreedhar, Assistant Director (Trg), PTC Mysuru
DEST Exam Pattern – Postman / Mail Guard (Paper-IV)
This is the part every candidate must be clear about. Parameters are as per Directorate letter no. 17-08/2018-SPN-I dated 19-12-2022.
For MTS and GDS applying to Postman / Mail Guard:
- Paper: Paper-IV (Data Entry Skill Test)
- Time: 15 minutes
- Maximum marks: 25
- Data entry of 600 key depressions (± 5%) on computer
- Qualifying marks:
- General / OBC / EWS – 75%
- SC / ST / PWD – 60% (if not exempted from skill test)
In simple words: 600 key depressions in 15 minutes works out to roughly 40 key depressions per minute. That is a comfortable speed if you have practised even a little, but it is very easy to lose marks on accuracy. Speed alone will not get you through.
DEST Exam Pattern – Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant (Paper-III)
For candidates tracking MTS to PA, Postman to PA, or the PA SA departmental exam, the same 2022 order lays down a tougher standard:
- Paper: Paper-III (Data Entry Skill Test)
- Time: 15 minutes
- Maximum marks: 25
- Data entry of 1000 key depressions (± 5%) on computer
- Qualifying marks:
- General / OBC / EWS – 75%
- SC / ST / PWD – 60% (if not exempted from skill test)
That is close to 67 key depressions per minute. So if your long-term goal is Postal Assistant, start typing practice now, not later.
Important Rule: VH Candidates Are Exempted
As per the Directorate’s clarification vide letter no. 17-08/2018-SPN-I(pt.) dated 21-11-2022, VH (Visually Handicapped) candidates are exempted from appearing for DEST.
However — and this is important — VH candidates still have to submit the preference form. Exemption from the test does not mean exemption from the preference process.
What You Must Carry to the Exam Hall
There is no flexibility here. The letter is very clear:
- Hall Permit issued by your Region / Division, duly signed by the Competent Authority and carrying the DEST rubber stamp
- Departmental ID Card (original)
- A photocopy of the ID card, to be handed over to the invigilator
Without the Hall Permit and ID, candidates will not be allowed to attend the DEST. No exceptions are mentioned.
Also not allowed inside the venue: cameras, mobile phones, and any other electronic gadgets.
The rubber stamp on each Hall Permit will show:
- Region Name
- Venue: PTC Mysuru
- Date: 30-08-2026
- Time: 09.15 AM onwards
- Signature of Competent Authority
After the exam, Hall Permits will be collected at the venue by the Centre Supervisor and sent back to the respective Regional Offices for safe custody.
Step-by-Step Instructions Inside the Exam Hall
Follow this sequence exactly:
- Carry your Admit Card, Departmental ID Card and a photocopy of the ID.
- Enter the hall and sign the attendance sheet in front of the invigilator.
- Hand over the photocopy of your ID card to the invigilator.
- Read the “Instructions for the Candidates” carefully.
- Enter your Roll Number, Name and Category correctly on the screen.
- Tick the disclaimer check-box — this enables the ‘Start’ button.
- Wait for the invigilator to announce the start. Do not click early.
- Click the ‘Start’ button only after the announcement.
- After finishing, sign the evaluated printed answer sheet in the space marked “Signature of the Candidate”.
The DEST will be conducted in different shifts / batches, so your reporting batch matters. Reach PTC Mysuru by 08:30 AM.
Practice Before the Exam – Official Link
The Department has uploaded a functional prototype of the DEST application so candidates can practise on the actual interface before the exam day.
Practice link: https://cept.gov.in/dest/training.html
Do not skip this. Many candidates lose marks simply because the screen layout feels unfamiliar on exam day. Spend 30–40 minutes on this prototype and the real test will feel routine.
Preference Form – The Most Critical Step
This part decides where you will be posted, and mistakes here cannot be corrected later.
- A preference form must be submitted by all qualified candidates appearing for DEST.
- The preference form will be circulated shortly, along with division-wise vacancies.
- Submit the duly filled form at your concerned DO / Unit, countersigned by SDH / DH / Unit Head, division-wise.
- Regions will collect all preference forms — including those of VH candidates who are exempted from DEST — and send the originals, arranged division-wise, to the Circle Office.
- Division-wise vacancies will be notified separately as an addendum to the notification.
Why you should give preference for ALL divisions
Read this carefully, because candidates lose selections every year on this point:
If you exercise preference for only a limited number of divisions, and you cannot be allotted to one of those divisions as per merit in your category, then you will not be considered for other recruiting divisions you did not prefer — even if a candidate with lower marks gets selected there based on their option.
And once submitted, the order of preference is FINAL and shall not be changed.
So the safe strategy is simple: give preference for every division where vacancies exist, in your genuine order of choice.
Responsibility of Regions and Divisions
The Circle Office has placed the eligibility check squarely on the Regions and Divisions:
- Regions must cross-check the correctness of eligibility of every candidate.
- The responsibility for correctness of eligibility lies with the concerned Division / Region.
- Any discrepancy must be immediately reported to the Circle Office.
- Regions must re-verify the category (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) of each candidate and report any change or omission at once.
- Regions/Divisions must inform candidates about the date and venue on receipt of the letter, and instruct them to bring their Departmental ID Card.
Candidate tip: If you notice your category, name, date of birth or seniority number is printed wrongly in the list, do not stay silent. Raise it with your Divisional Office in writing, immediately.
Regions and Divisions Covered
Candidates from all three Karnataka Regions are covered:
- Bengaluru HQ Region (BG) – BG GPO, BG South, BG East, BG West, Channapatna, MMS BG, BG Stg, Circle Office, O/o GM PA&F
- North Karnataka Region (NK) – Kalaburagi, Bagalkot, Belagavi, Bidar, Chikodi, Dharwad, Gadag, Gokak, Haveri, Karwar, Koppal, Raichur, RMS HB, Sirsi, Vijayapura, Yadgiri, Ballari
- South Karnataka Region (SK) – Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Hassan, Kodagu, Kolar, Mandya, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Nanjangud, Puttur, RMS Q, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Udupi, SKRO
A copy of the letter has also gone to the Director, PTC Mysuru, and to the P&T Admn Cell, APS Wing, for relieving qualified candidates posted there.
Preparation Tips for GDS to Postman / Mail Guard DEST
Simple, practical advice that actually works:
- Practise on the official CEPT prototype, not just on random typing websites. The interface matters.
- Aim for 45–50 key depressions per minute, not 40. A buffer protects you on exam day.
- Accuracy above speed. Errors reduce your effective key depressions, and the ±5% margin is small.
- Practise with English text containing numbers and special characters, since data entry passages are rarely plain words.
- Do not look at the keyboard. Even 10 days of touch-typing practice makes a visible difference.
- Reach the venue early. PTC Mysuru is a central venue and candidates are travelling from all three regions.
- Keep photocopies ready — ID card copy is compulsory to hand over.
What Comes Next After DEST
- Evaluated answer sheets are signed by candidates on the spot.
- Hall Permits are collected and sent to the Regional Offices.
- Division-wise vacancies are notified as an addendum.
- Preference forms are collected and sent division-wise to the Circle Office.
- Final selection follows merit within category, matched against the preferences you submitted.
Keep watching the Karnataka Post website and your Divisional Office notice board for the GDS to Postman result 2026 and the vacancy addendum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the DEST exam date for Karnataka Circle PM/MG vacancy year 2026? 30-08-2026 (Sunday), at PTC Mysuru. Report at 08:30 AM; test begins 09:15 AM onwards.
Q. How many key depressions are required for GDS to Postman / Mail Guard DEST? 600 key depressions (± 5%) in 15 minutes, for a maximum of 25 marks.
Q. What are the qualifying marks for DEST? 75% for General / OBC / EWS and 60% for SC / ST / PWD, subject to the Government’s reservation policy.
Q. Are VH candidates required to appear for DEST? No. VH candidates are exempted as per the Directorate letter dated 21-11-2022. But they must still submit the preference form.
Q. Is the qualified candidate list in merit order? No. It is arranged in random order and is tentative until categories are confirmed by the Regional / Divisional Heads.
Q. Can I change my division preference after submitting the form? No. The order of preference once exercised is final and cannot be changed.
Q. What documents are compulsory at the venue? Hall Permit, original Departmental ID Card, and a photocopy of the ID card. Mobile phones and electronic gadgets are not allowed.
Q. How many key depressions are needed for Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant DEST? 1000 key depressions (± 5%) in 15 minutes, with the same qualifying percentages.
Prepare With Structured Online Coaching
Departmental exams are winnable, but only with the right material and steady practice. Whether your target is GDS to MTS, GDS to Postman / Mail Guard, MTS to PA, or Postman to PA, structured preparation makes the difference between qualifying and missing by a few marks.
What serious aspirants use:
- GDS to MTS online classes and GDS to Postman coaching with live and recorded sessions
- India Post previous year question papers and solved GDS to MTS question papers
- GDS to MTS mock tests, practice sets and full-length India Post mock tests
- Updated syllabus, exam pattern and eligibility criteria for every departmental promotion exam
- Typing and DEST practice modules built to the exact 600 and 1000 key depression standards
- India Post current affairs, GK and circulars updated regularly