Department of Posts Revises SADA: Major Changes in Appointing, Disciplinary and Appellate Authorities – Effective 2 November 2026

Department of Posts Amends SADA: Revised Appointing, Disciplinary and Appellate Authorities Notified

New Delhi, November 2, 2026

The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has issued an important amendment to the Schedule of Appointing, Disciplinary and Appellate Authorities (SADA) through Gazette Notification No. S.O. 5928(E), dated October 30, 2026.

 Download  Effective 2 November 2026

The amendment revises the existing provisions governing the appointment, disciplinary powers and appellate authorities for various categories of posts in the Department of Posts. The revised schedule substitutes Part I and Part II of the earlier SADA Order issued vide Notification No. S.O. 2454 dated August 27, 1990.

The Department has subsequently circulated the Gazette Notification through an official communication dated November 2, 2026, issued by the Establishment Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi.

1. What is the significance of the SADA amendment?

The Schedule of Appointing, Disciplinary and Appellate Authorities (SADA) specifies the competent authorities responsible for:

•Appointing officials to various posts.

•Initiating and exercising disciplinary powers.

•Imposing minor and major penalties under the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965.

•Handling appeals against disciplinary orders.

The latest amendment revises the authority structure for different categories of Group 'B' and Group 'C' employees, including postal, engineering, accounts and other cadres.

2. Changes concerning Group 'B' employees

The revised Part I of the Schedule deals with General Central Services, Group 'B' (Gazetted and Non-Gazetted).

It covers the following categories:

•Postal Service Group 'B'.

•Other Group 'B' Gazetted posts, excluding Postal Service Group 'B'.

•Group 'B' Non-Gazetted posts.

•Group 'B' posts in Civil and Electrical Wings.

Engineering-related Group 'B' posts.

The revised schedule identifies the respective appointing authorities, authorities competent to impose penalties and appellate authorities.

For Postal Service Group 'B', the Director General Postal Services is designated as the Appointing Authority. The notification also specifies the disciplinary and appellate authorities, including the President in the cases indicated in the schedule.

3. Changes concerning Group 'C' employees

Part II of the amended schedule covers General Central Services, Group 'C'.

It includes:

 •Group 'C' employees, including Lower Selection Grade (LSG).

•Group 'C' employees in Civil and Electrical Wings.

•Group 'C' employees working in the offices of General Managers (Finance) and Directors of Accounts (Postal).

•Postmen and Mail Guards.

•Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), formerly Group 'D'.

•MTS employees in Civil and Electrical Wings.

•MTS employees working in the offices of General Managers (Finance) and Directors of Accounts (Postal).

The notification specifies the competent authorities for imposing minor and major penalties and the corresponding appellate authorities for these categories.

4. Important clarification regarding Logistics and Sales Vertical

One of the significant clarifications issued by the Department of Posts in its communication dated November 2, 2026, concerns the exercise of disciplinary powers in the Logistics and Sales Vertical.

The Department has specifically clarified:

(i) PMG (Logistics)/DPS (Logistics) shall exercise disciplinary powers in respect of officers and officials posted under their jurisdiction, in accordance with the applicable SADA provisions and delegated powers.

Postal study for the purpose of postal exams