Inspector of Posts (IPO) Exam Pattern
1. For Departmental Candidates (LDCE – Limited Departmental Competitive Examination)
The LDCE for Inspector of Posts is conducted by the Department of Posts (DoP) for internal candidates such as Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants.
Exam Structure:
Detailed Paper-wise Breakdown:
Paper I – Postal Operations (150 Marks)
Covers topics related to day-to-day functioning of post offices:
-
Mail handling and delivery system
-
Post office operations and procedures
-
Savings bank operations
-
Postal life insurance and rural postal life insurance
-
Financial services and business development
-
Customer service and grievance handling
-
Rules related to departmental money orders, VPP, and Speed Post
Paper II – Postal Accounts and Rules (150 Marks)
Focuses on rules and administrative topics:
-
Postal Accounts and Financial Management
-
CCS (Conduct) Rules, CCS (Leave) Rules, GPF Rules
-
Postal Manual Volumes I to VI
-
FHB, FHB Accounting Procedures
-
Audit, Inspection, and Record Management
-
Procurement and Stock Verification
Paper III – General Awareness, Current Affairs, and English (100 Marks)
Objective paper testing overall aptitude:
-
General Knowledge, Indian Polity, Economy, Geography
-
Current events (national and international)
-
English Grammar, Vocabulary, and Comprehension
-
Simple arithmetic and reasoning
Evaluation and Qualifying Marks:
-
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
-
General: 40% in each paper
-
OBC: 38%
-
SC/ST: 33%
-
-
Aggregate Qualifying Marks: 45% (General), 38% (OBC), 33% (SC/ST)
-
Final Merit List: Based on total marks obtained in all three papers.
2. For Direct Entry Candidates (Through SSC CGL Exam)
If applying via SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL), the IPO post is included under Group B positions.
SSC CGL Exam Structure for IPO:
Final Selection:
-
Based on aggregate marks in Tier I + Tier II, subject to medical fitness and document verification.
-
Candidates are appointed as Inspector of Posts under the Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts.