India Post, Andhra Pradesh Circle, has released a fresh update for candidates who appeared in the LGO Examination 2026. This update is about the next stage of the exam process: the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST). This is very important for candidates preparing for GDS to Postal Assistant (PA/SA) promotion and recruitment.
Let’s understand this notification in simple words.
What Is This Notification About?
This letter comes from the office of the Chief Postmaster General, Andhra Pradesh Circle, Vijayawada. It is addressed to the Postmaster General, Kurnool / Vijayawada / Visakhapatnam Region.
It is related to the:
- Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for promotion of LGOs to the cadre of Postal Assistant (Circle Office / Regional Office) and Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant.
- Competitive Examination (CE) for recruitment to the PA/SA cadre from eligible Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), for the unfilled LDCE vacancy of the year 2026.
Both exams were held together on 28.06.2026 (Sunday), and now the Circle Office is announcing the next step: the DEST.
Key Details of the Notification
- Letter No.: RE/3-5/DEST/2026
- Letter Date: 22.07.2026
- Issuing Authority: Chief Postmaster General, Andhra Pradesh Circle, Vijayawada – 520 013
- Sent To: Postmaster General, Kurnool / Vijayawada / Visakhapatnam Region
- DEST Proposed Date: 02.08.2026 (Sunday)
- Reference Letters: Directorate Letter No. A-34012/01/2021-DE dated 11.03.2021, and SOP Letter No. A-34012/02/2022-DE dated 11.08.2022
What Is DEST and Why Does It Matter?
DEST stands for Data Entry Skill Test. It is conducted after Paper-I (MCQ) results are prepared, for candidates who qualify in the written exam. Here is how it works, in simple points:
- Candidates who are qualified in Paper-I (Postman, MTS, and GDS candidates) will be shortlisted for DEST.
- The list of qualified candidates will be shared with each Region shortly.
- DEST is only a qualifying test. This means candidates must pass it, but marks scored in DEST are not added to the Paper-I marks.
- Final merit will be prepared only on the basis of marks secured in Paper-I, for those candidates who qualify DEST.
This is an important point for all GDS to PA, GDS to SA, and Postman/MTS to PA aspirants to remember: your Paper-I score decides your merit, but you must also clear DEST to stay in the selection process.
Action Points Given to the Regions
The Circle Office has asked all Regions to take the following steps and report back:
- Conduct the DEST on 02.08.2026 (Sunday).
- Nominate a Supervising Officer for DEST in each Region.
- Identify a suitable venue at the Regional Headquarters for conducting DEST.
- Share Supervising Officer and venue details with the Circle Office immediately.
- Follow the broad guidelines and SOP already issued by the Directorate for conducting LDCE/DEST.
- Give wide publicity about the DEST date among all candidates who appeared in the LGO Examination 2026, so no candidate misses this update.
An additional endorsement letter (Endt No. B/I/7-2/LDCE/CE/PA-SA/2026, dated 22.07.2026 at Anakapalle) has also been issued, asking all concerned offices to circulate this information further for necessary action.
Why This Update Is Important for Aspirants
This notification is directly useful for candidates who are tracking:
- GDS to PA Departmental Exam updates
- GDS to SA Departmental Exam updates
- Postal Assistant Exam and Sorting Assistant Exam schedules
- PA SA Departmental Exam results and next steps
- India Post Departmental Exam notifications from any circle, including Andhra Pradesh
If you appeared in the LGO Exam 2026, this DEST update tells you that the process is moving to its next stage. Keep checking your Region’s official circular for your shortlisting status and DEST venue details.
Simple Tips for Candidates Before DEST
- Confirm whether your name appears in the DEST qualified list once released by your Region.
- Note down the confirmed DEST venue and reporting time as soon as it is shared.
- Practice basic data entry and typing speed regularly before the test date.
- Remember that DEST is qualifying only — focus on genuinely improving your speed and accuracy, not just clearing the minimum bar.
- Keep your Paper-I result and admit card safely, since final merit depends on those Paper-I marks.
- Continue following official India Post Circulars and India Post Notifications for updates from your own circle, such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Delhi, or any other circle.
Quick Recap
- Andhra Pradesh Circle has proposed DEST on 02.08.2026 (Sunday) for candidates who qualified in Paper-I of the LGO Exam 2026.
- This DEST is for promotion/recruitment of LGOs and GDS to the PA (CO/RO) and PA/SA cadre.
- DEST is a qualifying test only; final merit is based on Paper-I marks.
- Regions have been asked to nominate Supervising Officers, arrange venues, and give wide publicity to candidates.
Stay connected with official India Post updates so you don’t miss any step of your GDS to PA, GDS to SA, or Postal Assistant Departmental Exam journey.