The Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru has released the Final Answer Keys for the common Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) and Competitive Examination (CE) held on 12.07.2026 (Sunday).
The exam was conducted for promotion and appointment to the cadre of Postman / Mail Guard / MTS for vacancy year 2026, from amongst eligible MTS and GDS of the Circle.
Final answer keys have been issued for all three papers — Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III.
If you appeared in this exam, this is the key you use to calculate your expected marks.
Quick Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Circle | Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru – 560001 |
| Letter No. | R&E/1-7/2026 |
| Date | 24.08.2026 |
| Memo No. (for upload) | R&E/1-7/2026 dated 20.08.2026 |
| Exam Name | Common LDCE / CE for PM / MG / MTS |
| Exam Date | 12.07.2026 (Sunday) |
| Vacancy Year | 2026 (01-01-2026 to 31-12-2026) |
| Eligible Cadres | MTS and GDS of the Circle |
| Target Cadres | Postman, Mail Guard, MTS |
| Papers Covered | Paper-I, Paper-II, Paper-III |
| Question Series | A, B, C and D |
| Display Location | Departmental website (Employee Corner → Recruitment & Results) |
| Issued By | Narayana M, Assistant Director (R&E), For Chief PMG, Karnataka Circle |
| Contact | 080-22392614 |
| Approval | Has the approval of the Competent Authority |
Paper Structure at a Glance
| Paper | Number of Questions | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 50 | A, B, C, D |
| Paper-II | 25 | A, B, C, D |
| Paper-III | 30 | A, B, C, D |
| Total | 105 | — |
⚠️ Read This Before You Use the Key
Check your series letter first. Each paper has four series — A, B, C and D — and the answers are completely different in each. The question order was shuffled. If you match your answers against the wrong series, your calculated score will be meaningless.
Your series letter is printed on your question paper booklet.
Verify against the official PDF. The keys reproduced below have been transcribed from the official circular for your convenience. The Notice states that the final keys are displayed on the departmental website only. Always cross-check against the official document before drawing any conclusion about your result.
Final Answer Key — Paper-I (50 Questions)
| Q. No. | A Series | B Series | C Series | D Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | C | B | B |
| 2 | C | Deleted | B | D |
| 3 | A | Deleted | Deleted | A |
| 4 | B | C | A | A |
| 5 | C | D | A | D |
| 6 | C | D | C | C |
| 7 | A | A | C | B |
| 8 | C | B | B | C |
| 9 | Deleted | B | D | B |
| 10 | Deleted | Deleted | A | D |
| 11 | C | A | A | C |
| 12 | D | A | D | A |
| 13 | D | C | C | B |
| 14 | A | C | B | C |
| 15 | B | B | C | C |
| 16 | B | D | B | A |
| 17 | Deleted | A | D | C |
| 18 | A | A | C | Deleted |
| 19 | A | D | A | Deleted |
| 20 | C | C | B | C |
| 21 | C | B | C | D |
| 22 | B | C | C | D |
| 23 | D | B | A | A |
| 24 | A | D | C | B |
| 25 | A | C | Deleted | B |
| 26 | D | A | Deleted | Deleted |
| 27 | C | B | C | A |
| 28 | B | C | D | A |
| 29 | C | C | D | C |
| 30 | B | A | A | C |
| 31 | B | C | D | Deleted |
| 32 | C | A | B | B |
| 33 | B | A | A | C |
| 34 | C | D | D | C |
| 35 | D | B | A | A |
| 36 | C | D | Deleted | B |
| 37 | A | B | B | C |
| 38 | A | A | C | B |
| 39 | D | D | C | C |
| 40 | B | A | A | D |
| 41 | D | B | B | C |
| 42 | B | C | C | A |
| 43 | A | B | B | A |
| 44 | D | C | C | D |
| 45 | A | D | D | B |
| 46 | Deleted | Deleted | C | D |
| 47 | B | B | A | B |
| 48 | C | C | A | A |
| 49 | C | C | D | D |
| 50 | A | A | B | A |
Deleted Questions in Paper-I
| Series | Deleted Question Numbers | Count |
|---|---|---|
| A Series | 9, 10, 17, 46 | 4 |
| B Series | 2, 3, 10, 46 | 4 |
| C Series | 3, 25, 26, 36 | 4 |
| D Series | 18, 19, 26, 31 | 4 |
Note the pattern: exactly four questions have been deleted in every series. This is consistent with the same four questions appearing at different positions in each shuffled series. So no series has been advantaged or disadvantaged by the deletions.
Paper-II and Paper-III have no deleted questions.
Final Answer Key — Paper-II (25 Questions)
| Q. No. | A Series | B Series | C Series | D Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | B | A | A |
| 2 | A | B | C | A |
| 3 | C | A | A | C |
| 4 | B | C | C | A |
| 5 | B | A | C | B |
| 6 | A | B | B | A |
| 7 | B | A | A | A |
| 8 | B | C | A | B |
| 9 | A | A | C | A |
| 10 | C | C | A | C |
| 11 | A | C | B | B |
| 12 | B | B | A | B |
| 13 | A | A | A | A |
| 14 | C | A | B | B |
| 15 | A | C | A | B |
| 16 | C | A | C | A |
| 17 | C | B | B | C |
| 18 | B | A | B | A |
| 19 | A | A | A | B |
| 20 | A | B | B | A |
| 21 | C | A | B | C |
| 22 | A | C | A | A |
| 23 | B | B | C | C |
| 24 | A | B | A | C |
| 25 | A | A | B | B |
Observation: Paper-II uses only options A, B and C. Option D does not appear anywhere in this key, across any series. That points to a three-option format for this paper.
Final Answer Key — Paper-III (30 Questions)
| Q. No. | A Series | B Series | C Series | D Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | D | C | D |
| 2 | B | A | B | C |
| 3 | A | B | A | A |
| 4 | D | C | D | B |
| 5 | A | B | C | A |
| 6 | B | A | A | B |
| 7 | C | D | B | D |
| 8 | B | C | A | B |
| 9 | A | A | B | A |
| 10 | D | B | D | D |
| 11 | C | A | B | A |
| 12 | A | B | A | B |
| 13 | B | D | D | C |
| 14 | A | B | A | B |
| 15 | B | A | B | A |
| 16 | A | B | D | C |
| 17 | A | C | D | A |
| 18 | B | D | A | D |
| 19 | B | D | C | B |
| 20 | C | D | A | C |
| 21 | D | A | D | A |
| 22 | D | C | B | A |
| 23 | D | A | C | A |
| 24 | A | D | A | B |
| 25 | C | B | A | B |
| 26 | A | C | A | C |
| 27 | D | A | B | D |
| 28 | B | A | B | D |
| 29 | C | A | C | D |
| 30 | A | A | D | A |
How to Calculate Your Score
Follow these steps carefully:
- Find your series letter on each question paper booklet — A, B, C or D. It may differ between papers.
- Match each of your answers against the correct series column above.
- Count your correct answers for each paper separately.
- Skip the deleted questions in Paper-I. They carry no key.
- Add up your totals across all three papers.
Be honest with yourself while counting. An inflated self-estimate only causes disappointment later. Count what you actually marked on the OMR, not what you now think the answer should have been.
What the Circular Does NOT Say
We are stating these clearly so that nobody works from guesswork or WhatsApp rumours:
- How deleted questions will be treated is not stated. The circular does not say whether candidates will be awarded full marks for the four deleted questions in Paper-I, or whether those questions will be excluded from the total. Do not assume either. This makes a real difference to your final score, so wait for the official result rather than calculating on an assumption.
- Marks per question are not stated. The circular does not mention the marking scheme for any paper.
- Negative marking is not mentioned anywhere in the circular.
- Qualifying marks are not stated, nor are cut-offs for any category.
- No result date has been announced.
- The reason for the four deletions is not given.
- There is no mention of any representation or objection window. These are the final answer keys, not provisional ones.
For anything not written in the circular, rely only on what your Divisional Office or the Circle Office confirms in writing.
Where the Answer Keys Are Published
As per the letter, the final answer keys along with the Notice are to be uploaded to the official departmental website under:
- Document category: Employee Corner
- Sub category: Recruitment & Results
- Start date: Immediate
The Technology Section of the Circle Office has also been directed to upload them on the Karnataka Post website.
The Notice specifically states that the final keys of Paper-I, II and III are displayed on the departmental website only.
Who Else Received This Circular
Copies have been marked to:
- The Postmaster General, North Karnataka Region, Dharwad – 580001
- The Postmaster General, South Karnataka Region, Bengaluru – 560001
- The Postmaster General, Bengaluru HQ Region, Bengaluru – 560001
- The Officer in Charge, P&T Admin Cell, APS Wing, Brigade of the Guards, Regimental Centre, C/O 56 APO, PIN – 900746
- Technology Section, Circle Office — for uploading on the Karnataka Post website
- For information of all candidates of the said exam through the Departmental Website
The inclusion of the APS Wing (Army Postal Service) is worth noting — candidates serving in the APS were also part of this examination.
What Happens Next
The usual sequence after final answer keys is:
- Final answer keys published ✅ — done, 24.08.2026
- Result / shortlist of qualified candidates — awaited
- Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) for shortlisted candidates
- Final selection and allotment
Other circles have already moved to the DEST stage for the same 12.07.2026 examination. Karnataka Circle candidates should watch the departmental website and their Divisional Office notice board closely over the coming weeks.
Start your typing practice now. If you are anywhere near the qualifying range, the DEST notice may leave you very little time. Candidates in other circles have received barely ten days’ notice between shortlist and skill test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When was the Karnataka Circle LDCE/CE exam for Postman, Mail Guard and MTS held? The common Limited Departmental Competitive Examination and Competitive Examination was held on 12.07.2026, a Sunday, in Karnataka Circle.
Q2. Which posts does this examination cover? It covers promotion and appointment to the cadre of Postman, Mail Guard and MTS for vacancy year 2026, from amongst eligible MTS and GDS of the Circle.
Q3. How many papers were there and how many questions in each? There were three papers — Paper-I with 50 questions, Paper-II with 25 questions and Paper-III with 30 questions, making 105 questions in total.
Q4. How many question series were there? Four series — A, B, C and D. The answers differ across series, so candidates must match their answers against the correct series printed on their booklet.
Q5. How many questions were deleted? Four questions were deleted in Paper-I in each of the four series. Paper-II and Paper-III have no deleted questions.
Q6. Which questions were deleted in Paper-I? In A Series questions 9, 10, 17 and 46; in B Series questions 2, 3, 10 and 46; in C Series questions 3, 25, 26 and 36; and in D Series questions 18, 19, 26 and 31.
Q7. How will the deleted questions be treated in scoring? The circular does not state how deleted questions will be treated. Candidates should wait for the official result rather than assume any particular treatment.
Q8. Is there negative marking in this examination? The circular does not mention negative marking. Candidates should refer to the original examination notification or confirm with their Divisional Office.
Q9. Can candidates raise objections against these answer keys? These are the final answer keys. The circular does not mention any objection or representation window.
Q10. Where can candidates check the official answer keys? The keys are displayed on the departmental website under Employee Corner, sub category Recruitment and Results, and on the Karnataka Post website.
Q11. When will the Karnataka Circle result be declared? No result date has been announced in this circular.
Q12. Who issued this circular? It was issued by Narayana M, Assistant Director (R&E), for the Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, Bengaluru – 560001, with the approval of the Competent Authority.
A Word to Karnataka Circle Candidates
Final answer keys are a difficult moment. Some of you will count your marks and feel confident. Others will count and feel the exam slipping away.
Two honest things worth saying.
First, do not treat your self-calculated score as your result. With four deleted questions in Paper-I and no stated marking scheme, your real total could move either way. Plenty of candidates who counted themselves out have found their name on the shortlist.
Second, whatever your count says, start practising typing today. If you qualify, the DEST notice will come fast. If you do not qualify this time, that same practice carries straight into your next attempt. There is no version of the future where keyboard practice is wasted effort.
All the best to every candidate from Karnataka Circle.
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