India Post Skilled Artisan Recruitment 2026

Introduction

The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, through its Mail Motor Services (MMS) in Kolkata, has issued a corrigendum for the Skilled Artisan and Tradesman recruitment drive. This update, dated 29 October 2026, invites eligible candidates to apply for 19 vacancies spread across seven distinct trades. The available trades include MV Mechanic, MV Electrician, Tyreman, Blacksmith, Painter, Upholsterer, and Carpenter & Joiner. To be considered, applicants must possess either a recognized trade certificate from a government institution or have completed their 8th standard education coupled with at least one year of relevant experience in the specific trade. A significant detail for MV Mechanic applicants is the mandatory requirement of a valid Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) driving licence. The recruitment process will involve a Competitive Trade Test, and selected candidates will be placed in the pay scale of Rs. 19,900 to Rs. 63,200, corresponding to Level 2 of the 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix, along with admissible allowances. Applications must be submitted strictly via Speed Post to the designated office in Kolkata by the deadline of 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM. This corrigendum also clarifies that applications submitted against earlier notifications dated 8 August 2018 and 19 May 2020 will be considered, and fresh candidates or those who previously applied may submit updated applications. It is crucial for all applicants to refer to the official notification for complete details and instructions before applying.

Recruitment Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

The Mail Motor Services, Kolkata, has announced a total of 19 vacancies for Skilled Artisan / Tradesman posts across seven trades. The distribution of vacancies per trade is as follows:

• MV Mechanic: 8 posts
• MV Electrician: Not specified in the supplied notification
• Tyreman: Not specified in the supplied notification
• Blacksmith: Not specified in the supplied notification
• Painter: Not specified in the supplied notification
• Upholsterer: Not specified in the supplied notification
• Carpenter & Joiner: Not specified in the supplied notification

Category-wise Vacancies:

Category-wise breakdown for UR, SC, ST, and OBC is not fully specified in the provided text. However, it is noted that two vacancies for MV Mechanic are earmarked for Ex-Servicemen. These are horizontal reservations and are included within the total eight MV Mechanic vacancies.

Educational Qualifications and Eligibility

Candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Skilled Artisan / Tradesman posts:

• Educational Qualification: Applicants must possess one of the following:
  • A recognized Trade Certificate in the respective trade from a Government-Recognized Technical Institution.
  • Passed 8th Standard with at least one year of experience in the respective trade.
• Additional Requirement for MV Mechanic: Candidates applying for the MV Mechanic trade must hold a valid Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) Driving Licence. This is a mandatory requirement for this specific trade.
• Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant trade experience is required if applying through the 8th Pass route.

Important Note: The notification clarifies that candidates possessing a recognized trade certificate do not necessarily need to have one year of experience. However, all claims of eligibility must be supported by appropriate documentation.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The age limit for candidates applying for the Skilled Artisan / Tradesman posts is as follows:

• Minimum Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Age (Unreserved): 30 Years
• Age Calculation Date: 1 July 2018

Age Relaxation: Applicable age relaxations will be provided for reserved categories as per government rules:

• SC/ST Candidates: 5 Years
• OBC-NCL Candidates: 3 Years
• Eligible Central Government Servants: Up to 40 Years under Applicable Orders
• Ex-Servicemen: Service-based relaxation under notified conditions. For the Motor Vehicle Mechanic trade, additional relaxation is up to three years for UR, six years for OBC, and eight years for SC/ST candidates, after deducting military service.

It is important to note that the age limit is calculated as of 1 July 2018, as explicitly stated in the corrigendum.

Application Fee

The corrigendum dated 29 October 2026 does not specify any application fee amount or a separate fee payment procedure. Candidates are advised to refer to the official recruitment instructions for any updates or clarifications regarding application fees.

Salary and Pay Scale

The Skilled Artisan / Tradesman posts are offered with a pay scale as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The details are:

• Pay Level: Level 2
• Pay Scale: Rs. 19,900 - Rs. 63,200 per month
• Allowances: Admissible allowances as per applicable rules will be provided.
• Probation Period: 1 Year

The notified pay scale represents the basic pay structure and does not indicate the in-hand salary, which will be determined by various allowances and deductions applicable at the time of joining.

Selection Process

The selection of candidates for the Skilled Artisan / Tradesman posts will be based on a Competitive Trade Test. The process involves the following stages:

1. Scrutiny of Applications: Applications will be initially examined to verify prescribed qualifications and supporting documents.
2. Shortlisting: Eligible candidates will be shortlisted for the trade test.
3. Competitive Trade Test: Candidates will undergo a trade test relevant to the specific trade they have applied for. The syllabus, date, venue, and duration of the test will be communicated via Hall Permits.
4. Final Selection: Selection will be made based on the candidate's performance in the trade test, along with their prescribed qualifications and experience, considering category-wise vacancies.

Application Procedure

Interested and eligible candidates must apply offline through Speed Post only. The application procedure is as follows:

1. Obtain Application Form: Candidates need to obtain the prescribed application form. The notification does not specify where to obtain it, so candidates should check the official website or previous notifications for guidance.
2. Fill Application Form: Complete the application form accurately with all required details.
3. Attach Documents: Self-attested copies of relevant documents, including educational certificates, trade certificates, experience certificates, and the HMV driving licence (for MV Mechanic applicants), must be attached.
4. Send Application: Dispatch the completed application form along with all supporting documents through Speed Post only.
5. Postal Address: The application must be addressed to the Senior Manager, Mail Motor Services, Kolkata. The specific postal address is not detailed in the provided text, and candidates should refer to the official notification for this information.
6. Deadline: Ensure that the application reaches the designated office by 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM. Late applications will not be considered.

Note for Previous Applicants: Applications submitted against earlier notifications dated 8 August 2018 and 19 May 2020 will be considered. Fresh candidates may apply, and those who applied previously can submit an updated application indicating their trade preferences.

Required Documents

While the official notification does not explicitly list all required documents, candidates are generally expected to submit self-attested copies of the following:

• Educational Qualification Certificates (e.g., 8th Pass mark sheet/certificate)
• Trade Certificate (if applicable)
• Experience Certificate (if applying through the 8th Pass route)
• Valid Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) Driving Licence (mandatory for MV Mechanic applicants)
• Age Proof Certificate (e.g., Birth Certificate, Aadhaar Card)
• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL, if applicable)
• Discharge Certificate/Pension Book (for Ex-Servicemen)
• Any other relevant document as specified in the official notification.

Candidates must ensure all submitted documents are clear, legible, and self-attested.

Important Instructions and Common Mistakes

Candidates are advised to carefully read the following instructions and be aware of common mistakes:

• Read the Official Notification: Always refer to the official notification for the most accurate and complete information. This article is a summary and may not cover all details.
• Application Mode: Applications must be sent only through Speed Post. Applications sent via other means or modes will be rejected.
• Age Calculation: Pay close attention to the age calculation date (1 July 2018). Do not use the current date.
• HMV Licence: Ensure you possess a valid HMV driving licence if applying for the MV Mechanic post. This is a strict requirement.
• Complete Application: Fill out the application form completely and accurately. Incomplete applications are liable to be rejected.
• Document Submission: Attach all required self-attested documents. Missing documents can lead to disqualification.
• Timely Submission: Ensure your application reaches the Senior Manager, Mail Motor Services, Kolkata, by the deadline of 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM. Plan your submission to avoid last-minute delays.
• Previous Applicants: If you applied earlier, consider submitting an updated application to reflect your trade preferences, as suggested by the corrigendum.

Official Notification and Application Links

FAQs

Q1: What is the last date to apply for the India Post Skilled Artisan Recruitment 2026?
A1: The last date for receipt of applications is 30 November 2026, 5:00 PM.

Q2: What are the minimum educational qualifications required?
A2: Candidates need a recognized Trade Certificate or have passed 8th standard with at least one year of relevant trade experience.

Q3: Is there an application fee for this recruitment?
A3: The corrigendum does not specify any application fee. Candidates should check the official notification for details.

Q4: How should I apply for the Skilled Artisan posts?
A4: Applications must be submitted offline via Speed Post only to the Senior Manager, Mail Motor Services, Kolkata.

Q5: What is the age limit for this recruitment?
A5: The age limit is 18 to 30 years as on 1 July 2018, with applicable relaxations for reserved categories.