Reservation in Promotion for PwBDs with Notional Effect from 2016

In a major clarification that seeks to streamline the implementation of reservation in promotions for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs), the Department of Posts (DoP) has issued a comprehensive Office Memorandum (OM) dated 8th July 2025, laying out the modalities and rules for granting notional promotions to eligible PwBD employees with retrospective effect from 30.06.2016.

The OM was issued in response to specific queries raised by the Chhattisgarh Circle, particularly on operational challenges such as conducting DEST, creation of supernumerary posts, and the carry forward mechanism for unfilled PwBD vacancies across recruitment years.

Background: DoPT Guidelines for PwBD Reservation in Promotion

The clarification is grounded in the DoPT’s Office Memoranda dated 17.05.2022 and 28.12.2023, which laid the framework for reservation in promotions for PwBDs in all government establishments. These guidelines were later extended to all Postal Circles via DoP’s letter dated 18.06.2024.

According to the DoPT OM:

PwBD reservation in promotion is applicable notionally w.e.f. 30.06.2016.
Supernumerary posts should be created if there is no actual vacancy available on the date of assumption of charge.
The zone of consideration for promotions should be extended to five times the number of vacancies if no suitable PwBD candidates are found in the normal zone.

Key Clarifications Issued by the Department of Posts

1. DEST Must Be Conducted for Eligible PwBDs

For PwBD candidates eligible for promotion under earlier departmental examinations but who did not appear for the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST), the OM clarifies:

DEST must be conducted for such candidates unless they are exempted under existing guidelines.
This test is a pre-condition to their notional promotion under the new reservation framework.

2. Creation of Supernumerary Posts If Vacancy Is Absent

If a PwBD candidate qualifies for promotion but no vacancy exists at the time of promotion, a supernumerary post must be created for that specific vacancy year.
The proposal for such creation should be initiated by the concerned Circle.

3. Treatment of Unfilled PwBD Vacancies (PM/MG Posts)

For Postman/Mail Guard (PM/MG) posts where PwBD vacancies from 2022, 2023, and 2024 remain unfilled due to lack of suitable candidates:

Vacancies should first be attempted to be filled through promotion of Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS).
Failing that, vacancies should be added to those filled by competitive exams among GDS or finally through open market recruitment.
If PwBD candidates are still unavailable, such posts may be carried forward and filled using inter-category exchange, and eventually, by non-PwBD candidates, but only after exhausting the prescribed carry-forward period of two subsequent recruitment years.

Modality for Carry Forward and Exchange of PwBD Vacancies

The OM provides a detailed illustration of how vacancies reserved for specific categories like VH (Visually Handicapped), HH (Hearing Handicapped), and OH (Orthopedically Handicapped) are to be treated:

Illustration 1:

If a VH post from 2020 remains unfilled, it is carried to 2021.
If still unfilled, and if an HH candidate is available in 2021, the VH post is filled through category exchange to avoid lapse.
The HH vacancy of 2021 is then carried forward to the next year.

Illustration 2:

If there are more candidates than vacancies in the year of recruitment, candidates from other PwBD categories can be accommodated against carried-forward vacancies by merit position, ensuring minimum lapse of reserved posts.

Important Rules to Note (DoPT Para 13 Highlights)

Zone of Consideration: Extended up to 5x the vacancies if no PwBD candidates are available in the normal zone.
Carry Forward: Reserved posts should be carried forward if not filled, up to two subsequent years.
Lapse Rule: If unfilled even after two years, the reservation lapses, but the post may still be filled by a non-PwBD candidate.

Recruitment Strategy Going Forward

The Department has emphasized the following strategy:

Method (i): Promotion from MTS to PM/MG for PwBD posts.
Method (ii): If method (i) fails, recruitment through GDS competitive exams or open market.
Exchange of Categories: Allowed to avoid lapsing of posts when no same-category PwBD candidates are available.
Last Resort: If still unfilled, appoint non-PwBD and carry forward the reservation.

Action Required by Postal Circles

Conduct DEST for eligible PwBD candidates.
Initiate proposals for supernumerary posts if needed.
Ensure that PwBD vacancies are filled or carried forward per the prescribed rules, avoiding unnecessary lapses.

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