The Department of Posts has issued updated guidelines regarding the transfer process for Group ‘C’ officials, Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) officials, and Assistant Superintendents of Posts. These guidelines are in reference to Directorate letters no. 141-141/2013-SPN-II dated 17.01.2019 and X-12/6/2021-SPN-II-DOP dated 30.11.2022.
In a bid to streamline and regularize the transfer process, a few critical changes have been made to the frequency and timelines of the transfer cycle. The revised guidelines are expected to bring more clarity and structure to the transfer process.
Key Changes in Transfer Periodicity:
- Transfer Cycle Frequency: Previously, the transfer cycle was set to operate quarterly, i.e., in the months of March, June, September, and December. However, after a review by the competent authority, it has been decided that the transfer cycle will now operate semi-annually, i.e., twice a year, in March and September.
This change aims to reduce the frequency of transfers while ensuring a more organized and predictable transfer process.
Revised Timelines for Transfer Activities:
To further clarify and improve the process, the following detailed timelines have been established for various activities involved in the transfer cycle:
- Capturing of Vacancy:
- 1st to 5th of March / September.
- Forwarding / Acceptance of Requests by Controlling Units:
- 1st to 5th of March / September for all requests received by the end of February / August.
- Provisional Allotment of Transfers:
- 11th of March / September.
- Acceptance / Refusal of Provisional Allotment by Employees:
- 12th to 14th of March / September.
- Release of Approved List of Transfers:
- 15th of March / September.
- Relieving of Employee:
- The employee should be relieved by 15th April (for the March cycle) or 15th October (for the September cycle), except in cases where disciplinary proceedings are pending or if the employee has requested the delay.
Impact of the New Guidelines:
- Immediate Effect: The new transfer guidelines are effective immediately. As a result, the transfer cycle that was originally scheduled for December 2024 will no longer take place as previously planned.
- Clarity and Structure: With clear timelines and a biannual transfer cycle, these new guidelines aim to provide a predictable and well-structured process for all employees involved, reducing confusion and ensuring that employees can better plan for transfers.
- Exceptions: Employees who have disciplinary proceedings pending or have made specific requests may have their transfer timelines altered. These exceptions should be carefully noted by all employees.Conclusion:
The Department of Posts is committed to making the transfer process more efficient and transparent for its employees. By shifting to a semi-annual transfer cycle and setting clear timelines for each step of the process, the Department aims to improve the transfer experience for all concerned. Employees should now be aware of the new timelines and ensure that their requests and responses are submitted within the stipulated periods.
All employees are advised to inform their respective units about these changes and plan their activities accordingly.