The Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for the post of Inspector Posts is conducted by India Post to promote eligible Postal Assistants (PAs) / Sorting Assistants (SAs) and other departmental staff to the Inspector cadre.
1. Pattern of Examination
The LDCE for the post of Inspector Posts consists of three papers:
| Paper | Marks | Type of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 250 | 125 MCQs (2 Marks Each) | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Paper-II | 50 | Noting & Drafting + Draft Charge Sheet | 1 Hour |
| Paper-III | 300 | 150 MCQs (2 Marks Each) | 3 Hours |
Qualifying Marks:
General Candidates: 40% in each paper & 45% overall
SC/ST/PwBD Candidates: 33% in each paper & 38% overall
Note: Examination will be held without aid of books. Circulars, orders, guidelines issued up to 31st December of previous year will be included.
2. Syllabus of Examination
Paper‑I – Topics
Compact layout • Headings highlighted • Last updated: 28‑Aug‑2025
1 Acts
- The Post Office Act, 2023 (Act No. 43 of 2023)
- Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 & its Amendments (AML/CFT Norms)
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Information Technology Act, 2000
2 Rules
- The Post Office Rules, 2024 & Post Office Regulations, 2024
- Government Savings Promotion Rules, 2018
- Post Office Savings Account Scheme, 2019
- National Savings Recurring Deposit Scheme, 2019
- National Savings Time Deposit Scheme, 2019
- National Savings (Monthly Income Account) Scheme, 2019
- Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme, 2019
- National Savings Certificate (VIII Issue) Scheme, 2019
- Kisan Vikas Patra Scheme, 2019
- Public Provident Fund Scheme, 2019
- Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019
3 Post Office Life Insurance Scheme
- PLI Scheme, 2011 & Amendments compiled as SANKALAN + subsequent guidelines
4 Postal Manuals / Rules
- Book of BO Rules
- Postal Manual Volumes II, III, IV (Leave, Pension, Gratuities, Examination, Recruitment & Establishment Norms), VIII
- Mail Operations & Money Remittances
- Postal Manual Volume V (excluding Appendix‑I)
- Postal Manual Volume VI, Part‑I, Chapter‑I
- Postal Manual Volume VI, Part‑II (excluding Telegraphic Money Orders, British & Irish Postal Orders)
- Postal Manual Volume VI, Part‑III (excluding Appendices)
- Postal Manual Volume VII
5 Jansuraksha Schemes
- PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY – features & operations via Post Offices
6 Guidelines / Instructions – Inland & Foreign Post
- Post Office Guide Part‑I
- Post Office Guide Part‑II (excluding Sections VII & VIII)
- Domestic/Foreign Post guidelines issued by Directorate
7 Digital Personal Identification Number (DIGIPIN)
- Concept, usage, and process
8 Guidelines by Directorate
- Mail Network Optimization Project
- Parcel Network Optimization Project
- Centralized Delivery Policy
- Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra (DNK) guidelines
- Product Consolidation guidelines
9 Savings Bank & Savings Certificates
- POSB Manuals Volumes I, II, III + SB Orders
- POSB (CBS) Manual (Corrected up to 31.12.2021) + SB Orders
10 Information Technology
- APT Knowledge (IT 2.0)
- Core Banking Solutions (CBS)
- PLI‑CIS Knowledge
11 Other Rules & Guidelines
- India Post Payments Bank
- Preservation & Disposal of Postal Records
- CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964
- CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965
- CCS (Temporary Service) Rules, 1965
- GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules, 2020 & related instructions
Paper‑II – Topics
Compact • Highlighted headlines • Updated: 28‑Aug‑2025
II
Written Tasks
- Noting — 200 words (15 marks)
- Drafting — 200 words (15 marks)
- Draft Major Penalty Charge Sheet — (20 marks)
ℹ
Notes
- Keep answers concise and structured — heading, facts, legal/administrative grounds, conclusion.
- For the Charge Sheet drafting, include: heading, charges, factual particulars, references to rules/clauses, statement of allegations, and signature block.
Paper‑III – Topics
Compact • Headline highlighted • Updated: 28‑Aug‑2025
1 Constitution & Key Provisions
- Constitution of India; Preamble; Fundamental Rights; Directive Principles; Fundamental Duties
- Articles 124–147, 214–232, 311, 338, 338(a), 338(b)
2 BNSS & Selected Sections
- The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) — Sections: I (Short title, extent, commencement), 2 (Definitions), 84 (Proclamation for person absconding)
3 Service & Financial Laws
- Central Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985
- Revenue Recovery Act, 1890
- Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended)
- RTI Act, 2005 & RTI Rules, 2012
4 Procurement & Financial Rules
- Manuals on Procurement (Goods, Works, Consultancy & Other Services)
- General Financial Rules, 2017 — Chapters 2 & 6 (+ amendments)
- Schedule of Financial Powers — Divisional Heads & Heads of Circle
5 CCS Rules & Pension
- CCS (GPF) Rules, 1961; CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 & amendments; CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981
- CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021; CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021
6 Service Management & HR
- Fundamental Rules (FR) & Supplementary Rules (SR)
- Brochure & Instructions on Casual Labourers (DoP & DoPT)
- Instructions on APAR (Directorate & DoPT); Service Discharge Benefit Scheme, 2010
- Welfare Measures — Departmental Employees & GDS
7 Workplace Conduct & Safety
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PoSH) Act, 2013 + DoPT instructions
8 Postal Handbooks & Manuals
- P&T FHB Volume I & Postal FHB Volume II
9 Exams — Language & General
- Questions on English Language
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs — Indian Economy, Polity, Sports, Culture & Science
10 Aptitude & Ethics
- Reasoning, Interpersonal Skills, Mental Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, Intelligence & Ethics
Preparation Tips & Tricks
1
Understand the Weightage
Paper I & III together carry 550 marks (MCQs) — focus on accuracy. Paper II carries 50 marks (writing skills) — practice noting & drafting daily.
2
Study Postal Manuals Strategically
- Prepare short notes for each volume (Vol II–VIII).
- Focus on frequently used rules — Leave, Pension, Mail Operations, POSB Orders.
3
Daily Reading Plan
- 2 hrs Postal Acts, Rules, & Manuals
- 1 hr GK & Current Affairs
- 1 hr Previous Years’ Papers & Mock Tests
- 30 min Noting & Drafting Practice
4
Use Mnemonics & Charts
Create one-line summaries and flowcharts for Acts & Rules. Use keywords to recall constitutional articles (e.g., FR — 12–35, DPSP — 36–51).
5
Mock Tests
- Take at least 10 full-length mock tests before the exam.
- Practice writing Charge Sheet format as per CCS (CCA) Rules.
6
Focus Areas
- IT 2.0, CBS, PLI‑CIS updates
- Latest SB Orders & Amendments (up to 31 Dec previous year)
- DoPT Guidelines & Postal Directorate Circulars
7
Time Management During Exam
- For MCQs: Answer known questions first; mark doubtful ones for review.
- For Noting/Drafting: Stick to official format; write concisely — avoid unnecessary elaboration.