Postal Transfer Policy 2024: Half-Yearly Cycles Announced

The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications has issued a pivotal update to its transfer policy for Group ‘C’, Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) officials, and Assistant Superintendents of Posts. These changes, effective immediately, aim to enhance administrative efficiency and employee convenience by transitioning from quarterly to half-yearly transfer cycles.

Key Highlights of the New Guidelines

Effective from December 2024, the Department of Posts has revamped its transfer cycle timeline, implementing the following structured process:

1. Periodicity of Transfer

Transfers will now be conducted on a half-yearly basis, in March and September.
The transfer cycle scheduled for December 2024 has been canceled.

2. Detailed Timelines for Transfer Activities

The department has introduced a fixed timeline for each stage of the transfer process:

Activity	Timelines
Capturing of vacancies	1st to 5th of March / September
Acceptance of transfer requests	1st to 5th of March / September for requests submitted by the end of February / August
Provisional allotment of transfers	11th of March / September
Employee’s acceptance/refusal of allotment	12th to 14th of March / September
Release of the approved transfer list	15th of March / September
Relieving of transferred employees	Latest by 15th April / October, barring cases of disciplinary proceedings or voluntary extensions

Impact of the Revised Policy

Employee Benefits

Predictable Schedules: Employees now have a clearer understanding of when transfers will occur, allowing for better personal and professional planning.
Streamlined Process: A well-defined timeline minimizes delays and confusion.

Administrative Advantages

Reduced Operational Overheads: By shifting to a half-yearly cycle, the department can allocate resources more efficiently.
Improved Transparency: The timeline and procedures are explicitly outlined, fostering accountability.

As stated in the circular issued by Vanagara Prasad, Assistant Director General (SPN), the new guidelines are effective immediately. Consequently, the December 2024 transfer cycle will not take place.