Published: 14 August 2026 | Category: India Post Latest News, India Post Circulars, PA SA Departmental Exam
Big update for Postman, Mail Guard and MTS staff in Telangana Circle.
The Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Telangana Circle, Hyderabad has released the list of qualified candidates for the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) in connection with the LDCE for promotion to Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant (PA/SA) for the vacancy year 2026.
If you appeared in the written exam held on 28.06.2026, this is the list you have been waiting for. Let us understand it in very simple language.
Quick Summary
- Issued by: O/o Chief Postmaster General, Telangana Circle, Hyderabad – 500 001
- Letter Number: CON/RE/PA/SA/DP/LDCE/2026
- Date of Letter: 13.08.2026
- Exam Name: Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE)
- Post: Postal Assistant (Circle Office & Regional Offices), Postal Assistant (Post Office), Sorting Assistant (RMS)
- Vacancy Year: 2026 (01.01.2026 to 31.12.2026)
- Written Exam Held On: 28.06.2026 (Sunday)
- DEST Date: 16.08.2026 (Sunday)
- Total Qualified for DEST: 234 candidates (227 in Category ‘A’ + 7 in Category ‘B’)
- Reference Notifications: 12.05.2026 and 01.06.2026
What Is DEST and Why Does It Matter?
DEST means Data Entry Skill Test. After the written paper, shortlisted candidates must clear a typing and data entry test on the computer.
Simple point to remember:
- Written exam = your knowledge
- DEST = your speed and accuracy on the keyboard
You can score very well in the written paper and still miss the promotion if your typing speed is weak. This is why every serious MTS to PA and Postman to PA aspirant should practise typing daily along with theory.
How Many Candidates Were Shortlisted?
As per Directorate letter No. 17-08/2018-SPN-I dated 19.12.2022, candidates are shortlisted for DEST at three (3) times the number of vacancies to be filled.
The vacancy position was already published by the Circle Office through its notification dated 12.08.2026.
The DEST list itself has been declared as per Directorate letter F. No. A-34012/02/2022-DE dated 11.08.2022.
Category ‘A’ – Division Wise Candidate Count
A total of 227 candidates qualified in Category ‘A’.
| Division / Unit | No. of Candidates |
|---|---|
| RO, Hyderabad | 1 |
| Hyd. City | 16 |
| Hyd. GPO | 8 |
| Hyd. Stg. | 5 |
| Hyd. South East | 23 |
| Medak | 4 |
| Sangareddy | 6 |
| Secunderabad | 33 |
| Adilabad | 16 |
| Hanamkonda | 16 |
| Karimnagar | 16 |
| Khammam | 12 |
| Mahbubnagar | 7 |
| Nalgonda | 11 |
| Nizamabad | 10 |
| Peddapalli | 11 |
| Suryapet | 9 |
| Wanaparthy | 7 |
| Warangal | 13 |
| RMS ‘Z’ | 3 |
| Total | 227 |
Secunderabad Division has the highest number of qualified candidates (33), followed by Hyderabad South East (23).
Category ‘B’ – 7 Candidates
Category ‘B’ has 7 qualified candidates from Hyd. City, Hyd. Stg., Secunderabad and RMS ‘Z’ divisions.
Present Designations of Qualified Candidates
The qualified candidates are currently working as:
- Postman (largest group by far)
- Mail Guard
- MTS (Multi Tasking Staff)
- Driver (one candidate from Hyd. South East)
This proves a simple thing. Whether you are a Postman, Mail Guard, MTS or even a Driver, the PA/SA departmental exam door is open for you.
Exemption from DEST for VH Candidates
As per Directorate letter No. 17-08/2018-SPN-I (Pt.) dated 21.11.2022:
- Category ‘A’: Candidates at Sl. No. 2 and 96 (VH category) are exempted from DEST.
- Category ‘B’: Candidates at Sl. No. 3, 5, 6 and 7 (VH category) are exempted from DEST.
Important Instructions in the Letter
Please read these points carefully:
- Venue details will come separately. The letter says venue particulars for the DEST examination will be intimated shortly.
- Admit cards will be issued by Divisions/Units. A specimen copy of the admit card has already been sent with the letter. Divisions must issue admit cards as soon as venue details are received.
- Details are subject to re-checking. Names, roll numbers and community shown in the list are based on information given by Heads of Regional/Divisional Offices. Divisional Heads have been asked to re-check roll number, name, community and eligibility of all successful candidates before the result is declared.
- Category shown is as recommended. The category in the list is the one under which the candidate was recommended by the concerned Divisional/Unit Head.
- Top priority. The Circle Office has marked this matter as TOP PRIORITY.
- Copy to CEPT Mysore. The letter and its annexures will be uploaded on the departmental website.
What Should Qualified Candidates Do Now?
Only two days are left before the DEST. Keep it simple:
- Contact your Divisional Office immediately for your admit card and venue.
- Check your hall permit number, name and community in the list. If anything is wrong, report it to your Divisional Head today, not after the exam.
- Practise typing every day – English and Hindi both, as per the exam requirement.
- Focus on accuracy, not only speed. Wrong keystrokes cost more than slow typing.
- Carry your admit card and ID proof on 16.08.2026.
Missed the List? Start Preparing for the Next Cycle
If your name is not in this list, do not lose hope. The LDCE for PA/SA happens for every vacancy year. The people in today’s list also failed somewhere before.
What actually works:
- Follow the correct PA SA Departmental Exam syllabus and exam pattern
- Solve Postal Assistant Previous Year Question Papers and MTS to PA Question Paper sets
- Take regular India Post Mock Tests to know your real position
- Study proper MTS to PA Study Material and Postman to PA Study Material, not random competitive exam books
- Practise DEST typing from day one, not in the last week
- Stay updated with India Post Circulars, India Post Notifications and India Post Latest News
The Full India Post Promotion Ladder
Many readers are still at the first step. Here is the complete path:
- 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
Every step needs one thing only – a proper plan and daily practice.
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What you get:
- GDS to MTS Online Classes and GDS to MTS Complete Course
- MTS to PA Online Classes and Postman to PA Course
- PA SA Online Classes with DEST typing practice
- 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
- Live classes plus recorded classes, so you can study after duty hours
- Doubt support in Hindi, English and regional languages
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is the DEST for Telangana Circle PA/SA LDCE 2026? The DEST is scheduled on 16.08.2026 (Sunday).
Q2. How many candidates qualified for DEST? 234 candidates in total – 227 in Category ‘A’ and 7 in Category ‘B’.
Q3. Where will the DEST be held? Venue particulars will be intimated shortly by the Circle Office and communicated through your Division.
Q4. Who will issue my admit card? Your Division or Unit will issue the admit card once venue particulars are received.
Q5. Is DEST compulsory for everyone? No. VH candidates listed in the annexure have been granted exemption from DEST as per Directorate instructions dated 21.11.2022.
Q6. When was the written exam held? The LDCE written examination was held on 28.06.2026 (Sunday).
Stay Updated
Always read the original circular before taking any action, and contact your Divisional Office for anything related to your name, hall permit number or venue.
For daily India Post Departmental Exam updates, previous year question papers, free mock tests and circle-wise notifications, keep visiting our website.