Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants Job Profiles - A Detailed Analysis

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Friends, as soon as the India Post announced the notification of Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants recruitment for the year 2014, our inbox has started flooding with the mails asking us about the job profiles. So here, we are giving you the detailed analysis of the job profiles of postal and sorting assistants. This post will help you in getting the clear idea of the job profiles of postal, sorting assistants and will help you in making your preference list (option 17 in the Online Application Form for Postal / Sorting Assistant Direct Recruitment Examination - 2014). All the Best :)

Difference between Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants Job Profiles

Frankly speaking the roles and responsibilities of both the postal and sorting assistants are almost same with some minor differences. The initial pay scale is also same for both the posts. The Sorting Assistants job is to sort the letter for each area within post office limit (which you are working in).

Whereas the duties and responsibilities of Postal Assistant may vary according to the work location (we shall discuss in detail below). However depending on the workplace the postal assistant have to perform more than one duty. Generally a Postal Assistant works in Mails, Delivery, Dispatch, Registration, Speed Post, Parcel, Money Order, Sub account, Cash/ Treasury, Accounts and Savings Bank and Savings Certificates departments of a Post office. They are also entrusted additional duties and responsibilities in view of introduction of premium products, other new products and service and technology driven initiatives of the Department.

For the sake of our understanding we can simply say that the main function of sorting assistant is to sort the mails based on pin codes and the main function of postal assistants is to Perform any combination of tasks in a post office, such as receiving letters and parcels, sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders and examine mail for correct postage etc...

How to give preferences of PA / SA 2014 while applying online ?

As you might have already observed, while trying to apply online many people have struck at option 17 with the option "Post Applied For (for post application)" with 6 preferences (PAPO, SARMS, PASBCO, PACO-RO, PAMMS). Now lets have a look at them.

PAPO : Which is nothing but the Postal Assistants in Post Offices. These are the guys you often see when ever you visit the post office. The main duties of PAPO are to sell postage stamps, to check mail in order to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing, to Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes, to help customers in filling the forms etc.

PAFPO : This is nothing but the Postal Assistant in Foreign Post Organization. Being a PAFPO, you have to deal with the foreign articles transmitted through Post office network.

SARMS : This is the short form of Sorting Assistant in Railway Mail Service. As we have stated earlier, the main function of Sorting Assistant is to sort mails. The mails sent by various locations will be sent to the RMS (Railway Mail Service). There our Sorting Assistant has to divide and sort the mails according to pincodes. Being SA you have to work in shifts. So female candidates think twice before applying for this post.

PASBCO : This is Postal Assistant in Savings Bank Control Organization. You have to look after various postal saving systems. The job profile may vary based on the location. Maximum chances for getting posted in head post offices. So those people who don't want to join in rural areas may prefer this.

PACO-RO : This is Postal Assistant in Circle/Regional Offices. As the name suggests you have to work in circle / regional offices. These are the administrative wing of Postal Department. The PACO-RO is the separate administrative cadre and those selected are posted at Circle/Regional Offices situated in main cities within the circle (max. 2-5 offices). There is no direct contact between the customers and you.

PAMMA : This is nothing but Postal Assistant in Mail Motor Services. You have to look after the intra-city transmission of mail between mail offices and Post Offices.

Postal Assistants (Returned Letter Offices) : Assume that you have to send a greeting card to your friend. But unknowingly you entered wrong address and mailed it. What will happen now ? Either they will locate the correct address and dispach it, or they will locate the sender's address (you) and send it back to you (if you write your address on the cover), or they will dispose the letter if both sender's and reciever's addresses are not clear. The postal assistant of Returned letter offices will look after this.

That's all for now friends. Hope this post helped you in getting the basic idea on the job profiles of Postal and Sorting Assistants. Now check the vacancies of your Postal Circle from here and make your preference list based on it. All the Best :)

Thanks to Narasimha Somayajulu and Padmalakshmi for inputs

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