Here comes the Postman!

From sorting mail at railway stations at night, to handling customer complaints at the post office, managing operations in far-flung villages, and educating and motivating corporate clients to use the service, the Indian Postal Service provides a great opportunity to be part of a professionally run organisation while serving the nation.

Indian Postal Services is a Central Group ‘A’ Service, and its officers are recruited through the Civil Service Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission. It caters to the largest network of post offices in the world. The job involves coordination with government agencies such as the railways and the airlines for transportation of mail, coordination with the Department of Finance through the network of post offices and state governments to manage small savings, and to interact with law and order agencies to ensure safety and security of cash and valuables in post offices, transmission of cash and police assistance in times of unrest.

After clearing the UPSC-administered exam, a probationer has to complete a foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie.He/She then proceeds to the Postal Staff College, India situated at Ghaziabad for professional training.During this period, probationers are given grassroots-level training in managing postal services. They are also given insights into leadership values, personnel management, management of business and overall personality development. For hands-on training, a probationer is required to work as a Postmaster, Inspector, Manager Marketing, and Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices, to acquaint officers with the field-level work.

The job of a Senior Superintendent of Post Offices (or Railway Mails) is the most challenging in the DoP. This officer is responsible not only for postal functions, but also for personnel matters, training, managing public relations and dealing with public grievances. Implementation of government policies, creating new business opportunities for the DoP and improving quality, and banking services, also come under the gambit of this officer.  

Skills required for the job:
.Excellent managerial and administrative skills
.Ability to work even in remote areas
.Good networking skills  
.Ability to work in a close-knit environment


Following are some of the institutes to look out for:
After clearing the UPSC-administered exam, a probationer has to complete a foundation course at:
.Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie
And then to:  
.Postal Staff College India, Ghaziabad  www.indiapost.gov.in/PSCIB/