INDIAN POSTAL SERVICE (IPS)


The Indian Postal Service was formed in 1948 with the cadre controlling authority of Director General, Posts with a cadre size of 573 posts. The source of recruitment (in percentage) was by direct recruitment 75% and by promotion 25% with no lateral entries.

Service hierarchy:

Grade	Pay scales	Designations in field	Designations in headquarters	Any other Designation
Junior time scale	8000-275-13500	Senior superintendent of Post offices / Railway mail services / Chief post master
Senior time scale	10000-325-15200	Senior superintendent of post offices / Railway mail services / Assistant Postmaster	general Assistant Director	General Deputy Director (Postal training centre) Deputy divisional manager (postal life insurance)
Junior administrative grade	12000-375-16500	Director postal services / Director GPO	Director	Additional General Manager (Business development, deputy general manager (Postal life insurance) Joint Director (Postal staff college), Director (postal training centre)
Selection grade	14300-400-18300	Director postal services / Director,GPO	Director	Additional General Manager (Business development, deputy general manager (Postal life insurance) Joint Director (Postal staff college), Director (postal training centre)
Senior administrative grade	18400-500-22400	Post MasterGeneral	Deputy Director General	General Manager (Business Development)
Higher administrative grade	22400-525-24000	Chief Postmaster general	Senior Deputy director General	Chief General Manager (Business development / Postal life insurance), Director (Postal staff college)

Brief write up on the service outlining the main functions etc. including areas where interaction and coordination with other services is essential:
The Indian Postal System comprising a vast network of 1,54,919 post offices is the largest in the world. The system not only provides basic postal services but also serves as a useful outlet for a number of socially significant services like small savings. It also meets the fast changing postal communication needs of urban India and takes care of the rural population, reaching the entire length and breadth of the country. Besides planning, coordinating and monitoring the vast network the officers of the Indian Postal service are placed at the cutting edge of the transition from traditional postal activities to increasing use of technology in providing a wide range of communications and financial services. They are directly charged with the responsibility of pushing through a series of reforms to modernise postal operations and to train the manpower in the organisation to face the challenges of competition and technology induction.

The Service officers need to coordinate with a number of government agencies the most important among them being the Railways and the Airlines who convey our mail. Besides, the Department of Finance through its countrywide network of Post Offices and has to be in touch with state governments who have a major role to play in mobilization of small savings in their respective states. There is very frequent interaction with the 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 general unrest and strikes.