Postmaster Grade I Examination 2013 - Schedule announced

Directorate has announced the schedule for conducting Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of Postmaster Grade I for the year 2013 vide letter no A-34012/4/2012-DE dated 23.04.2013. The date of Examination is 30.06.2013(Sunday). The last date for receipt of applications from willing officials at their controlling units is 03.05.2013.

Railway advance reservation : time reduced to 60 days

Advance Reservation Period for Booking Reserved Train Tickets Reduced to 60 Days from Existing 120 Days from 1st May 2013 

The Ministry of Railways has decided that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking reserved train tickets will be reduced from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) w.e.f. 1st May 2013. The details are as below:- 

I. With effect from 01.05.2013, the ARP will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and booking will be done accordingly. However, all the bookings done upto 30.4.2013 under the ARP of 120 days will remain intact.

II. Cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

III. There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc. where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

IV. There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for foreign tourists. 

Link : PIB 

POSTAL ASSISTANT EXAM COMPLETE KEY HELD ON 21/04/2014

Postal Assistant Exam 2013 Question paper

 BOOKLET SERIES “B”

Part A - General Knowledge

1. Government of India has recently granted "Maharatna Status to two more Navratna Public Sector enterprises. Which are the these new companies joining the club of Maharatna public sector undertakings.
(A) Steel authority of India Limited and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
(B) Bharat heavy Electrical Ltd and Gas authority of India Limited
(C) Indian Oil Corporation and Coal India Limited
(D) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Oil and Natural gas corporation
 Ans: B


2. India's newly built and tested missile 'Astra' is meant for
(A) Surface to surface strike
(B) Air to Air Strike
(C) Surface to Air Strike
(D) Air to surface Strike
Ans: B

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees - Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2013

Click here to see the order issued by Ministry of Finance.

Launch of RTI web portal for online filing of RTI application - Dopt order

No. 1/1/2013-IR 

Government of India 

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions 

Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi 

Dated: 22/04/2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Launch of RTI web portal for online filing of RTI application.

A Web Portal namely RTI Online with un https://rtionline.gov.in has been launched. This portal, developed by NIC, is a facility for the Indian Citizens to online file RTI applications and first appeals and also to make online payment of RTI fees. The prescribed fees can be paid through Internet banking of State Bank of India and its associate banks as well as by Credit/Debit cards of Visa/Master, through the payment gateway of SBI linked to this site.

2. At present, this facility is available only for Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). It is planned to extend this facility to all the Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India within a month. This facility is presently not proposed to be extended for field offices/attached/subordinate offices.

No merger of D.A. but seventh pay commission likely this year

According to our sources in New Delhi, there is no chance of any merger of Dearness Allowance with basic pay as demanded by the associations. But the Government is considering the formation of seventh pay commission. 

The seventh CPC is scheduled to be effective from 1.1.2016 and if it is formed this year, there will be ample time to finalize it's recommendations. Moreover, if it is not effective from an earlier date, the Govt. will be free from any burden of paying arrears, which may adversely effect the fiscal situation. Most significantly, in the eve of general election, the Govt. may spread a "feel good" situation among the employees without having to pay an extra penny from the exchequer. In the other hand merging D.A. with basic pay will lead to a considerable expense and as there is definite negative recommendation of sixth CPC in this respect, Govt. can easily deny this demand. After formation of seventh CPC, if the ruling party fails to come back in the corridors of power, the entire liability will have to be borne by the new Govt. So, it's a win win situation of the ruling party and most likely, it will be announced in the later half of the year.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PA/SA EXAMINATION

As per schedule declared by Directorate, PA/ SA examination for the year 2013 have already been  started in phase manner in each circle. The following criteria are likely to be followed for selection of candidate.

Qualifying Marks :

Category	% of marks required	Remarks
OC	40%  i.e. 10 marks in each part	40% in aggregate
OBC	38%  i.e. 9 marks in each part	38% in aggregate
SC/ST	33%  i.e. 8 marks in each part	33% in aggregate

Computer Test :

As per above qualification of marks, candidates will be called for computer test in 1:5 ratio

15 Minutes : For typing of 450 words passage
15 Minutes : For data entry work. 

Some Tips to solve problems easily

WHO TOLD MATHS IS COMPLICATED?

HERE WE COULD STRIKE THE ANSWERS FOR THE FOLLOWING MULTIPLICATIONS, AND SQUARE NUMBER CALCULATIONS WITHIN 5 TO 10 SECONDS. ALL ARE HAVING SHORT CUT LOGICS :)

1. A) 51*51 = 2601 B) 71*71=5041 C) 31*31=961

Ex 51 * 51 
then first digit multiply 5*5=25
then first digit add 5+5=10 
last digit 1* 1=1 =25+(1) 0 1=2601

2. A)33*37=1221 B) 42*48=2016 C) 56*54=3024
ex 33*37
last digit multiply 3*7=21
first digit add one and multiply 3*4=12
answer 1221

3. A)95*95=9025 B) 75*75=5625 C) 95*95=9025
Ex 95*95
first digit add 1 and then multiply with second number first digit 10*9=90
both last digit multiply 5*5=25
Answer 9025

Questions and answers of PA/SA examination held on 21/4/2013

1	The present deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha is elected Member of Parliament from which state of India. Kerala (P.J Kurien)
2	The constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949
3	The present strength of rajya Sabha members is ___out of which ____are representatives of states and UT of delhi and pudhucherry and ___ are nominated by president. 245,233,12
4	4 Which of the following glands produces insulin in human body Pancreas
5	Which of the following is food poisoning organism (A) Clostridium botulinum (B) Streptomyces fecalis (C) Lacto Bacillus (D) None of these
6	Development of goitre (Enlarged thyroid gland) is mainly due to deficiency of. Iodine
7	The emission of which causes global warming. carbon dioxide
8	Who was adjudged player of the tournament by scoring most number of runs in the tournament in women world cup cricket held recently? Suzie Bates
9	Who won the inaugural hockey India league ended in Ranchi recently? Ranchi Rhinos
10	Wanchoo Committee dealt with Direct Taxes
11	Kyoto Protocol is An International agreement to reduce the green houses gases
12	Kyoto Protocol is Answer: An International agreement to reduce the green houses gases
13	India successfully completed its 101th space mission by lauching indo French satellite SARAL recently this satellite is for Oceanographic Study
14	Government of India has recently granted “Maharatna” status to two more Navratna Public Sector Enterprises which are the these new companies joining the club of Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd & Gas Authority of India Limited
15	India newly built and tested missile “Astra” Meant for Air to Air Strike
16	The governor general who adopted a policy of Europeanization of bureaucracy and an exclusion of Indian from higher posts Cornwallis
17	During which movement bal Gangadhar tilak was given the epithet Lokmanya and Gandhiji give the slogan “Swaraj in a year” respectively Home Rule Movement and non cooperation movement
18	Recently dargah muinudin chisti at Ajmer was in news due to visit of Pakistani prime minister dargah Muinuddin chisti at Ajmer was built by Alauddin Khilji
19	Bauxite is an ore of Aluminium
20	Which is one of the following is the land area I the extreme south of India. Cape Comorin near Kanyakumari
21	The ozone layer lies in the In union budget 2013-2014 “Voluntary Compliance encouragement scheme” was launched by government of India. This scheming is related to Service tax
23	Economic survey 2012-2013 states that nonperforming assets of increased from 2.36% to 3.57% in September 2012. The description of nonperforming assets was with reference to which sector. Banking sector
24	This is the rate at which reserve bank of India borrows money from commercial banks Reverse Repo rate
25	As per election commission of India, how many recognized national political parties are there in India. 6

Department of Posts Direct recruitment PA/SA Examination paper Dtd 21-04-2013

Re allotment to Home Circles in PS Group B cadre

Directorate has issued re allotments to the following 15 PS Group B officers to their Home circles vide Directorate memo no 9-22/2013-SPG dated 18.04.2013.

Filling up the vacancies in Higher Selection Grade-I (HSG.I) in post Offices (POs) and Railway Mail Service (RMS) Offices

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

CABINET APPROVES 8% DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS..

The Union Cabinet today in its meeting, gave its approval to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2013  representing an increase of 8% over the existing rate of 72% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission.

   Necessary order for increasing Dearness Allowance will be issued by Finance Ministry soon. The resultant arrears amount on account of the increased Dearness Allowance for the month of January , Febraury and March will be paid to central government employees by the respective Ministry/Department after the issuance of the order for granting dearness allowance by  Ministry of Finance .

Issue of electronic Indian Postal Order (eIPO) through epost office Portal

Click here to view Postal B.D & Mktg Directorate OM no No.6-0412011-GB dated 22.03.2013 on the above subject matter.

The elPo facility at present is available for Indian citizens abroad.The applicant will have toget himself/herself registered at epost office portal to avail this facility to pay RTI fee.

Valid Indian Passport nurmber, address, date of birth, gender and mobile number will be captured at the time of registration.http://www.indiapost.gov.in/DOP/Pdf/Circulars/6-04-2011-GB_22-03-2013.pdf

Postal Assistant Exam Model Cum Practice Paper for Direct Recruitment-2013

This model paper prepared and compiled by Akula. Praveen Kumar, SPM, Papannapet Sub Office-502 303, Medak Division, Andhra Pradesh(9849636361,8019549939)

Disclaimer:- All questions/Information provided in this post are Compiled by A. Praveen Kumar for in good faith of Postal Assistant exam aspirants. The types of questions, number of questions and standard of questions may be vary in actual examination. This is my predictions only. Author of blog does not accepts any responsibility in relation to the accuracy, completeness, usefulness or otherwise, of the contents. Utmost care has been taken to prepare the model cum practice paper as per syllabus prescribed by India Post.

This is a practice paper only.

Previously the Department filtered the aspirants on the basis of merit and allowed 1:10 ratio for the examination. Hence the previous pattern and type of exam and standard of examination was easy. But this year onwards the selection process was changed and heavy competition is there for selection of Postal Assistant. The Examiner will set tough standard / medium hard level to test candidate         grasp of basic concepts of principles, Knowledge, application level, ability to solve the complex problems.

Best of luck to all Postal Assistant Exam Aspirants.

                                MODEL CUM PRACTICE PAPER

Marks: 100                                             Duration: 2 hours

Instructions to Candidates

1. Answer All the Questions
2. Each question Carries “1” Mark
3. Round off the appropriate choice in OMR sheet

                                                                   PART-A

          (General Knowledge & Current Affairs) 

      

1. Scientist in the month of December revealed a planet that could support life, orbits a Sun-like star near the Earth. What is the name of the star around which this planet was found orbiting?

1. Tau Ceti                 2. Sirius                      3. Ophiuchi               4.Gliese 33

2.Park Guen –hye has beenelected as the first women President of

1. Thailand                2.Vietnam                  3. South Korea          4.Maurritius

3. The term “Chucker” is used in which sports?

1.Football                  2. Horse Racing        3. Wrestling               4. Polo

4. Which of the following fairs is not correct?

1. Rangaswamy Cup-Hockey                    2. Rovers Cup- Football
3.Federation Cup-Badminton                    4.Deodhar Trophy-Cricket

5.  Who wrote the Book entitled ‘Ghulamgiri’ ?

1. B. R. Ambedkar   2. Narayan Guru    3. Jyotiba Phule     4. M. P. Pillai

Interest Calculator updated 15/04/2013

Features in this File:

Updated on 15/04/2013:

In the Link "PPF Interest Calculation", Provision has been added to find out Eligible Loan and Withdrawal amount that can be taken in PPF account.

In the Link "Print Tables/Forms", Claim Forms for SB/SC and Application for Reinvestment of Maturity value, and Interest Rate Table (in Tamil) and link to access "Indiapost Forms page" are included

Updated on 01/04/2013:

New Interest rates w.e.f. 01/04/2013 configured for all schemes. 

Old interest rates can also be calculated by entering the concerned Date of opening 

RD PMC Calculator can be downloaded from RD "View More" link

"Print Tables/Forms" link is provided in Main calculator page to Print Ready reckoner tables for RD/TD/MIS and Pamphlet, Forms.

Updated on 06.11.2012:

Validation for KVP Date of Purchase (Now Date can be entered only from 01.03.2003 to 30.11.2011)

Feedback form modified.

Updated on 31.10.2012

Option for Entering Date of Opening of Accounts

Their Respective Maturity/Interest Amounts, A/c periods, Date of maturity,etc.,

Current status of A/c for Closure/PMC/extn., etc.,

Reduced Int. for TD, Bonus, Deductions, PMI details,etc.,

KVP discharge value calc,

SB,PPF,PMI calc,

PPF approx maturity value calc,

Easy Initialisation of Interest rates for schemes, if changed...

Option to download the latest excel calculator (if any), right from this excel file itself...  

Download

Courtesy : https://sites.google.com/site/posbinterestcalculator/

Tamil Nadu Circle Gradation List of Postmasters Grade I & II

Tamil Nadu Circle Gradation List of Postmasters Grade I & II as on 01.07.2012 has been released 
To see the list Click here



Courtesy : http://fnpotirunelveli.blogspot.in

Encashment of Leave on availing LTC by Family: DoPT's Clarification

Department of Personnel & Training

 Estt. (Leave) Section

***

Reference notes of Ministry of Defence (Fin) I.D. No. 9(2)/QA/98 dated 27.12.2012.

In terms of 38-A of CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, a Govt. servant can be permitted to encash earned leave upto 10 days at the time of availing LTC. Hence, Government servants may encash earned leave either at the time of availing LTC himself or when his family avails it provided other conditions are satisfied.

Sd/-

(S.G. Muichancianey.)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

DOPT I.D. No. 14028/2/2013-Estt(L) dated 25th February, 2013

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ministry of Defence (Fin/QA)

Subject :Encashment of leave on availing LTC by Family.

Reference CGDA UO No AT/IV/4462/PC-XXX dated 12 Oct 12.

2. A clarification issued by DoPT states that A govt servant can be permitted to encash earned leave upto 10 days either at the time of availing LTC himself or when his family avails it provided other conditions are fulfilled has been taken by MoD (Fin) with MoF, DoPT (Estt/Leave Section). The same has been clarified by DoPT vide their ID No 14028/212013-Estt (L) dated 25th Feb, 2013 is enclosed herewith for your ready reference.

Sd/-

(Lajpat Ra..)

AFA(QA)/ 20.03.2013

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office of The Controller General of Defence Accounts

Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt.110010

CIRCULAR

No. AT/IV/4462/PC-XXX

dated: 8th Apr' 2013

To
All PCsDA/CsDA
PC of A (Fys) Kolkata


Sub:- Encashment of leave on availing LTC by family.
Copies of MoD (Fin) ID No. 9 (2)/QA198 dated 20/03/2012 and DOPT I.D No. 14028/2/2013-Estt.(L) dated 25th Feb'2013 regarding clarification on encashment of leave alongwith LTC is enclosed for information, guidance and necessary action please.

sd/-

(Upendra Kumar)

Accounts Officer (AT)

Source: CGDA
[http://cgda.nic.in/audit/enclLTC080413.pdf]

Interest rate on General Provident Fund lowered

From April 1, Government employees and defence personnel will earn less from the General Provident Fund (GPF), as the interest rate has been brought down to 8.7 per cent from 8.8 per cent last year.

“During the year 2013-14, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8.7 per cent per annum,” the Finance Ministry has said.

The revised rate will be applicable for 10 types of funds, which includes The General Provident Fund (Central Services), the Contributory Provident Fund (India), the All India Services Provident Fund, the State Railway Provident Fund, the General Provident Fund (Defence Services), the Indian Ordnance Department Provident Fund, the Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen’s Provident Fund, the Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen’s Provident Fund, the Defence Services Officers Provident Fund and the Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund.

The interest rate on GPF is usually fixed on the basis of the average of yield on Government securities of similar maturity.

This rate was eight per cent till November 2011. It was then raised to 8.6 per cent for the period December 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012. It was hiked further to 8.8 per cent with effect from April 1, 2012.

The latest reduction of interest rate on GPF is in line with lowering of rates on small savings such as the National Saving Certificates and Public Provident Fund. 

Source :  http://www.thehindubusinessline.com

First Phase Direct Recruitment PA/SA Examination 2013 will be held on 21/4/2013.

As notified by Postal Directorate Aptitude Test (Paper I) for Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu circles is scheduled on 21st April 2013. 

CMC has started to dispatch Admit Cards to all eligible candidates of these circle by ordinary post. In case candidate is not received the Admit Card by 11/4/2013, then he can download the same online from www.indiapost.gov.in using Direct Recruitment PA/SA Examination link from 12th April 2013 onwards. Candidate can also report discrepancy in Admit Card data from 12th April 2013 using the link GENERATE ADMIT CARD on the same web site.

CMC has issued some Admit Cards without PHOTOGRAPH of the candidate. All such candidates may visit the departmental website www.indiapost.gov.in to reconfirm their eligibility. It was noticed during the course of checking the application forms that, candidates failed to paste photographs on their application form. Due to non receipt of photographs along with applications forms, such applications are said to be cancelled and candidates are not allowed to appear in Aptitude Test (Paper I).

To Take Print Out of ePOST messages

Steps should be ensured before taking print outs of ePOST messages

The following steps should be ensured before taking print outs of ePOST messages.Hence the below given instructions should be circulated to all ePOST enabled POs under your division.

1. Use Mozilla Firefox version 17.0 or above.(Avoid using Internet explorer).

2. Enable Java script from settings option.

3. All the Fonts provided by NIC should be installed in the system that is used for taking print outs.

4. Select the appropriate message type(Corporate bulk/PO PDF/PO Scan, etc) before click on check box for printing.

5. Select(Tick in check box) single message only for printing PO PDF type messages,else blank messages will be displayed.

6. After clicking on Print button(Red Color),a Print Menu and a dialogue box will be displayed simultaneously. The input(OK/Cancel) should be given to the status update dialogue box immediately after clicking on OK in Print menu.else the status will not be updated.

Download call letters for SBI Probationary Officers exam (28.04.2013)

SBI is going to organize written test on 28th April 2013 for recruitment of Probationary Officers throughout the country. Candidates have to download the call letter for the exam from SBI site.

Download the Call Letter.

(If the candidates face any problem to download the call letter, they can refer to the FAQs provided by SBI)

Download the Frequently Asked Questions

SAVINGS BANK INTEREST RATES AT A GLANCE

Name of scheme	Period	Up To 30/11/11	w.e.f 1/12/11	w.e.f 1/4/12	w.e.f 1/4/13
Savings Account	General	3.50%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Time Deposit	I yr	6.25%	7.70%	8.20%	8.20%
	2 yr	6.50%	7.8%	8.30%	8.20%
	3 yr	7.25%	8.00%	8.40%	8.30%
	5 yr	7.50%	8.30%	8.50%	8.40%
R D Dn.Rs.10/-	5 yr	7.50% 728.90	8.00% 738.62	8.40% 746.51	8.30% 744.53
M I S	5 yr	8.00% (6 Yr)	8.20%	8.50%	8.40%
S C S S	5 yr	9%	9.00%	9.30%	9.20%
P P F	15 yr	8%	8.6%	8.80%	8.70%
NSC VIII Issue Dn. Rs.100/-	5 yr	160.10 (6 yr)	150.90 8.4%	152.35 8.6%	151.62 8.5%
NSC IX Issue Dn. Rs.100/-	10 yr	NIL	234.35 8.7%	238.87 8.9%	236.60 8.8%