**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Communications' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2851, regarding the workforce in the Postal Department in Tamil Nadu, answered on August 6, 2025.
The Ministry, represented by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, asserts that the staff strength and infrastructure in the Tamil Nadu Circle are currently adequate to meet public service requirements. As of March 1, 2025, the incumbency positions are as follows: Postmaster (LSG and HSG) - 3183, Postman - 5705, Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) - 2417, Postal Assistant - 7309, Sorting Assistant - 1595, and Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) - 20788.
Vacancies in Tamil Nadu Circle are being filled annually through departmental examinations and direct recruitment via the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for positions such as Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, Postman/Mail Guard, MTS, and GDS. Recently, 837 Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants nominated through SSC have been allocated to Tamil Nadu Circle, and their appointment formalities are in progress. Departmental examinations are scheduled for August 17, 2025, and August 31, 2025, with approximately 202, 321, and 650 vacancies in the Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, Postman/Mail Guard, and MTS cadres, respectively.
The Tamil Nadu Circle does not currently engage personnel on a contract or temporary basis against regular posts. Consequently, questions regarding the removal and reappointment of contractual employees are not applicable.
The Department is actively working to ensure workforce stability through timely recruitment, filling vacancies, and conducting regular training and upskilling programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, where the postal department workforce is being analyzed.
Postal Department: The government department responsible for postal services in India, specifically being examined in Tamil Nadu.
Gramin Dak Sevak: A category of postal employee in rural areas of India.
Postmaster: An official in charge of a post office.
Multi Tasking Staff MTS: A cadre of support staff within the Postal Department.
Postal Assistant PA: A cadre of employees responsible for assisting in postal operations.
Sorting Assistant SA: A cadre of employees responsible for sorting mail.
Staff Selection Commission SSC: An organization through which Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants are recruited.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2851
ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
WORKFORCE IN POSTAL DEPARTMENT IN TAMIL NADU
2851. SHRI NAVASKANI K:
SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
SHRI SELVAM G:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether number of Postmasters, Postmen, Gramin Dak Sevaks and other supporting staff as
well as infrastructure facilities in Tamil Nadu are adequate to meet public needs and service delivery
targets, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to undertake large-scale recruitment in the Postal
Department, especially in Tamil Nadu, to fill existing vacancies and if so, the details thereof
including its expected timeline, cadre-wise;
(c) the number of persons currently working on a contract or temporary basis in Post Offices in
Tamil Nadu and the number of such persons removed during the last three years along with the
reasons for such removal;
(d) whether several contractual employees in Tamil Nadu who were removed from service have
requested re-appointment citing financial and family hardships and if so, the number of such cases
and the action taken by the Government thereon; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken to address improve workforce stability in the Postal Department
in Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) In Tamil Nadu Circle, staff strength and infrastructure are adequate to meet public service
requirements. The incumbency position of Postmaster, Postman and other staff such as Multi-
Tasking Staff (MTS), Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA) and Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS)
in Tamilnadu Circle is as under: -
Name of the Post Incumbency position (As on 01.03.2025)
Postmaster (LSG and HSG) 3183
Postman 5705
Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) 2417
Postal Assistant 7309
Sorting Assistant 1595
Gramin Dak Sevak 20788
1(b) In Tamil Nadu Circle, vacancies are being filled up yearly through regular Departmental
Examinations/Direct Recruitment through SSC [as stated above in para no. (a) above] for various
posts such as, Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, Postman/MailGuard, MTS and GDS. Recently, a
total of 837 Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants (PAs/SAs) nominated through Staff Selection
Commission (SSC) have been allotted to Tamil Nadu Circle. The appointment formalities of these
PA/SAs are undergoing. Further, the Departmental examinations are scheduled to be held on
17.08.2025 and 31.08.2025, with an approximate number of vacancies being 202, 321 and 650 in the
cadres PA/SA, Postman/MailGuard and MTS, respectively.
(c) At present, Tamil Nadu Circle does not engage personnel on contract basis or temporary basis
against regular posts.
(d) Does not arise in view of (c) above.
(e) The Department is continuously taking steps to ensure workforce stability through timely
recruitment and filling up of vacancies and conducting regular training and upskilling programs to
enhance employee capabilities.
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