Big update for Delhi Circle officials.
The Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, Meghdoot Bhawan has released the list of candidates shortlisted for the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) under the LDCE / CE for promotion to PA/SA posts for the vacancy year 2026.
A total of 280 candidates have been shortlisted. The test is scheduled for 16.08.2026.
This post explains the full letter in simple language — who qualified, how the shortlist was made, the exact DEST parameters, and how to prepare in the days left.
Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issuing Office | O/o Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, Meghdoot Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001 |
| Letter Number | Rectt/R-2/LGO Exam/2026/KW5 |
| Letter Date | 04.08.2026 |
| Exam Name | LDCE / CE for promotion to PA/SA |
| Vacancy Year | 2026 |
| Candidates Shortlisted | 280 |
| Vacancies Notified | 86 |
| DEST Date | 16.08.2026 |
| Venue | To be intimated in due course |
| Signed By | Assistant Director (Rectt), Delhi Circle |
How the 280 Shortlist Was Made
This is the part most candidates want to understand. The number is not random.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| Candidates shortlisted up to 3 times the notified vacancies (86 × 3) | 258 |
| Bracketed candidates with marks same as the last shortlisted candidate in their community (14 UR + 1 SC) | 15 |
| PwBD candidates of OH category, shortlisted against horizontal reservation | 07 |
| Total | 280 |
What “bracketed” means: if the last shortlisted candidate in a community scored, say, 45 marks, then everyone else who also scored exactly 45 in that same community is added to the list. Nobody is cut off just because of a tie. This is a fair and standard practice.
Order of Preference in Shortlisting
As per the Recruitment Rules, preference was given in this order:
- Category-A candidates on merit basis
- Category-B candidates on merit basis
- GDS candidates
All subject to applicable eligibility and reservation provisions. In the Annexure, each candidate’s eligibility category (A / B / GDS to PA/SA) is shown in a separate column.
DEST Parameters — Read This Carefully
These are the exact parameters as per Directorate letter No. 17-08/2018-SPN-I dated 19.12.2022.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Marks | 25 |
| Duration | 15 minutes on computer |
| Data Entry Volume | 1000 key depressions (±5%) |
| Qualifying – Gen / OBC / EWS | 75% |
| Qualifying – SC / ST / PwBD (if not exempted from skill test) | 60% |
What this means in practice:
- 1000 key depressions in 15 minutes works out to roughly 67 key depressions per minute. That is not a fast speed at all.
- The ±5% band means the passage will be around 950 to 1050 key depressions.
- The real challenge is not speed — it is accuracy. Most candidates who fail, fail on errors, not on typing slowly.
Do not let the word “skill test” scare you. The volume is very manageable. What it demands is clean, error-free typing.
Division-wise Distribution of the 280 Candidates
| Division / Unit | Candidates | Roll Number Series |
|---|---|---|
| East | 43 | 15010xx |
| North | 43 | 15020xx |
| Central | 37 | 15030xx |
| South | 40 | 15040xx |
| South West | 27 | 15050xx |
| West | 46 | 15060xx |
| Airmail Sorting | 8 | 15070xx |
| Delhi Sorting | 7 | 15080xx |
| ND Sorting | 4 | 15090xx |
| New Delhi GPO | 6 | 15100xx |
| Delhi GPO | 14 | 15110xx |
| MMS | 2 | 15120xx |
| Circle Office | 3 | 15140xx |
| Total | 280 | — |
West Division has the highest representation with 46 candidates, followed by East and North with 43 each.
The shortlisted candidates hold designations including Postman, MTS, Mail Guard, GDS BPM, Despatch Rider and Tyreman — so this is genuinely an all-cadre opportunity.
Important Conditions in the Letter
- The particulars shown (Roll No., name, community, sub-community, date of birth, date of appointment, vigilance status and eligibility category) are based on information furnished by the Heads of Division/Units.
- Divisions have been asked to re-check this information and report any discrepancy to the Circle Office immediately.
- If any shortlisted candidate is later found not eligible under existing rules, or any discrepancy is found, their candidature will be withdrawn.
- Heads of Divisions must direct candidates to familiarise themselves with computer typing well in advance.
- The venue and other updates will be intimated in due course.
- CEPT Mysore was directed to upload the list on the departmental website.
Where to Check Your Name
- On the departmental website, where CEPT Mysore has uploaded the list.
- Through your respective Head of Division / Unit.
Find your roll number in the Annexure-I list. If your division’s roll series is listed above, that narrows your search quickly.
If you believe there is an error in your particulars — wrong community, wrong date of appointment, wrong eligibility category — report it to your Divisional Office immediately, not after the test.
How to Prepare in the Remaining Days
You have a short window before 16.08.2026. Here is a practical plan.
- Practise on a computer keyboard, not a mobile. The muscle memory is completely different.
- Accuracy over speed. With only 1000 key depressions in 15 minutes, you have time. Rushing is the mistake.
- Practise typing from printed matter placed beside the screen, since that is how the test works. Train yourself not to look at the keyboard.
- Do at least 5–6 rounds of 15-minute practice daily so your hands get used to the exact duration.
- Practise numbers, capitals and punctuation too. Most candidates only practise plain lowercase text and then struggle.
- Learn where every key is — the letter specifically says to familiarise yourself with all the keys of the keyboard.
- Sit in the same posture you will use in the exam hall.
Simple rule for the day of the test: type steadily, do not panic, and do not try to be fast.
What to Carry on Exam Day
Once the venue and hall permit details arrive, keep ready:
- Hall permit / call letter issued by your Division
- Original photo ID proof (office ID card, Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)
- Photocopy of ID proof
- Passport size photographs
- Ballpoint pen
Reach the centre well ahead of time. With 280 candidates, the test will very likely run in multiple shifts or batches depending on the number of computers available.
A Note for Aspirants Across India
Delhi Circle is not alone. MP Circle has also scheduled its LGO PA/SA Data Entry Skill Test on the same date, 16.08.2026. Circles across the country are actively completing the PA/SA promotion process for the 2026 vacancy year.
That is a clear message for anyone still preparing:
- GDS to MTS Departmental Exam
- GDS to Postman / Mail Guard Exam
- MTS to PA / SA Departmental Exam
- Postman to PA / SA Departmental Exam
- LGO PA SA Exam
The pattern is consistent everywhere — a written paper first, then a skill test where applicable. Every year, candidates clear the written stage and then lose the post at the typing stage. Do not let that be you.
What Serious Candidates Should Do Next
A complete preparation plan should include:
- MTS to PA Online Classes and Postman to PA Online Classes with live and recorded lectures
- Full coverage of the MTS to PA Syllabus and Postman to PA Syllabus
- India Post Previous Year Question Papers and PA SA Practice Set papers
- Regular India Post Mock Tests with proper mistake analysis
- Daily typing practice treated as part of the syllabus, not as an extra
- Timely updates on notifications, admit cards, exam dates and results
Candidates from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal Circle all follow the same pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How many candidates are shortlisted for DEST in Delhi Circle? 280 candidates.
Q. How many PA/SA vacancies are notified? 86 vacancies for the year 2026.
Q. Why were 280 shortlisted for 86 vacancies? 258 candidates were shortlisted at three times the vacancies, plus 15 bracketed candidates with equal marks and 7 PwBD (OH) candidates under horizontal reservation.
Q. When is the DEST? 16.08.2026.
Q. What is the DEST exam pattern? 25 maximum marks, 15 minutes on computer, 1000 key depressions with a ±5% margin.
Q. What are the qualifying marks for DEST? 75% for Gen/OBC/EWS and 60% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates who are not exempted from the skill test.
Q. Where is the DEST venue? The venue has not been announced yet. It will be intimated in due course by the Circle Office.
Q. Where can I check the shortlist? On the departmental website, where CEPT Mysore has uploaded the list, or through your Head of Division/Unit.
Q. What if my particulars are wrong in the list? Report the discrepancy to your Divisional Office immediately so it can be corrected before the test.
Final Word
Congratulations to all 280 shortlisted candidates. Clearing the written stage against these numbers is a real achievement.
Now the last step is the easiest one to prepare for — and the easiest one to take lightly. Fifteen minutes, roughly a thousand key depressions, and a keyboard you already use at work every day.
Give it thirty focused minutes daily until the 16th. That is all it takes.
All the best.
Source: Letter No. Rectt/R-2/LGO Exam/2026/KW5 dated 04.08.2026 issued by O/o the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, New Delhi. Candidates must follow the official communication received from their own Divisional Office.