India Post Exam Calendar 2026 – Complete Official Schedule for All Postal Exams
The Department of Posts, Government of India, has officially released the Calendar of Examinations for the year 2026. This calendar includes the complete schedule for LDCE exams, PA/SA recruitment, Postman & Mail Guard exams, MTS and GDS quota exams, Inspector Posts LDCE, Postal Service Group-B exams and MMS cadre recruitment.
This exam calendar is extremely important for Postal employees, GDS candidates and departmental aspirants, as it helps them plan their preparation and track notification timelines.
Note: All exams will be conducted strictly as per timelines, and Circles must follow the Standard Operating Procedures issued earlier.
India Post Exam Calendar 2026 – Summary Table
Below is the full schedule of Departmental & GDS examinations for 2026.
| Sl. No. | Name of Examination | Tentative Notification Date | Application Closing Date | Tentative Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (i) | LDCE for promotion to PA (CO/RO), PA (PO) & SA (RMS) for Vacancy Year 2026 | 30 April 2026 | 24 May 2026 | To be notified by Circle |
| 1 (ii) | Competitive Exam for PA/SA from GDS for unfilled LDCE vacancies (2026) | 02 April 2026 (Model Notification by Directorate) 09 April 2026 (Circle Notification) | As per Circle Notification | Common Examination |
| 2 (i) | LDCE for promotion to Postman & Mail Guard from eligible MTS – Vacancy Year 2026 | 15 May 2026 | 07 June 2026 | To be notified |
| 2 (ii) | Competitive Exam for recruitment of Postman / Mail Guard / MTS from GDS – Vacancy Year 2026 | 20 April 2026 (Model Notification) 24 April 2026 (Circle Notification) | As per Circle Notification | Common Examination |
| 3 | LDCE for Postal Service Group-B for Vacancy Years 2024, 2025 & 2026 | 25 June 2026 | 20 July 2026 | 09 August 2026 |
| 4 | LDCE for Inspector Posts for Vacancy Year 2026 | 14 August 2026 | 05 September 2026 | 26 & 27 September 2026 |
| 5 | PO & RMS Accountant Examination | To be conducted as per instructions already issued to Circles | ||
| 6 | Recruitment to Driver posts (including MMS) | To be completed by Circles within 2026 | ||
| 7 | Recruitment to Skilled Artisans (MMS) | To be completed by Circles within 2026 | ||
Detailed Explanation of Each Exam
1. LDCE for Postal Assistant & Sorting Assistant (PA/SA)
This exam is conducted for departmental officials for promotion to:
- Postal Assistant (Circle Office & Regional Office)
- Postal Assistant (Post Offices)
- Sorting Assistant (Railway Mail Service)
Vacancy Period: 01.01.2026 to 31.12.2026
Candidates must fulfill eligibility conditions as per recruitment rules.
2. PA/SA Examination for GDS
Unfilled LDCE vacancies are offered to Gramin Dak Sevaks through a competitive exam. This gives GDSs a golden opportunity to enter the departmental PA/SA cadre.
3. LDCE for Postman & Mail Guard (from MTS)
This exam is exclusively for MTS officials seeking promotion to Postman or Mail Guard.
4. Competitive Exam for Postman / Mail Guard / MTS (from GDS)
Eligible GDSs can get departmental entry into these cadres through this competitive examination.
5. LDCE for Postal Service Group-B
This is a high-level promotional exam for Inspector & Supervisor-level staff. For 2026, vacancies for three years will be covered:
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
6. LDCE for Inspector Posts
The Inspector Posts LDCE is one of the most competitive exams in the Department of Posts. It opens promotion opportunities into the Inspector cadre.
7. PO & RMS Accountant Exam
This exam will be organized by Circles as per previously issued instructions.
8. MMS Recruitment
Recruitment to Driver and Skilled Artisan posts in the Motor Mail Service will be completed during 2026.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- All notifications will be issued by Circles as per schedule.
- Eligibility must be checked carefully before applying.
- Applications received after the last date will not be entertained.
- Candidates must follow the official notification for exam pattern, syllabus and selection rules.
Who Should Use This Exam Calendar?
- Postal Assistants
- Sorting Assistants
- MTS Officials
- Postman & Mail Guard staff
- Gramin Dak Sevaks
- Inspector Posts aspirants
- Supervisory cadre officials
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When was the India Post Exam Calendar 2026 released?
The calendar was issued on 30 December 2025 by the Department of Posts.
Are these exam dates final?
The dates are tentative but officially approved. Circles must adhere to them while issuing notifications.
Where can I download the official exam calendar?
The PDF is circulated to all Circles and available through official Department of Posts channels.
Who conducts postal departmental exams?
They are conducted by the Department of Posts, Government of India.
Do GDS candidates get separate exams?
Yes, GDS candidates have specific competitive exams like PA/SA from GDS and Postman/MTS from GDS.
Final Words
The India Post Exam Calendar 2026 clearly outlines the examination roadmap for departmental and GDS candidates. If you’re preparing for promotions or entry into departmental cadres, this calendar will help you plan ahead and stay updated.
Always refer to the official notification issued by your Postal Circle for the final exam schedule, eligibility conditions and application process.
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