IPO Exam Syllabus for Inspector Posts (IP Exam): Updated & Revised
Hello friends, if you’re preparing for the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for the post of Inspector Posts (IPO Exam), understanding the exam pattern and IPO Exam Syllabus is crucial for success. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a detailed overview of the IPO Exam syllabus and break it down into easy-to-understand sections. This guide will help you navigate through the various subjects and give you an organized approach to your preparation.
Updated for IPO Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2026 (as per DoP letter No. 7-14/2011-SPN-II dated 22.08.2025)
Exam Pattern (2026 onwards)
- Total Papers: 3 (earlier 4)
- Total Marks Distribution:
- Paper I → 250 Marks (125 MCQs × 2 marks each) | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
- Paper II → 50 Marks (Noting, Drafting & Draft Charge Sheet) | Duration: 1 hr
- Paper III → 300 Marks (150 MCQs × 2 marks each) | Duration: 3 hrs
- Qualifying Marks:
- General: 40% in each paper + 45% aggregate
- SC/ST/PwBD: 33% in each paper + 38% aggregate
- Books: Not allowed (same as before).
- Cut-off date for syllabus updates: Circulars/orders issued till 31st Dec of preceding year will be part of syllabus.
Detailed IPO Exam Syllabus
Let’s break down the syllabus of each paper to make it easier for you to understand what to expect.
IPO Exam Syllabus 2026– Paper I (250 Marks)
| S.No. | Topic Area | Description |
| 1 | Acts | • The Post Office Act, 2023 (Act No. 43 of 2023) • Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873 • Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (and AML/CFT Amendments) • Consumer Protection Act, 2019 • Information Technology Act, 2000 |
| 2 | Rules | • The Post Office Rules, 2024 & The Post Office Regulations, 2024 • Government Savings Promotion Rules, 2018 • Post Office Savings Account Scheme, 2019 • National Savings Recurring Deposit Scheme, 2019 • National Savings Time Deposit Scheme, 2019 • National Savings (Monthly Income Account) Scheme, 2019 • Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme, 2019 • National Savings Certificate (VIII Issue) Scheme, 2019 • Kisan Vikas Patra Scheme, 2019 • Public Provident Fund Scheme, 2019 • Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019 |
| 3 | PLI / RPLI | • Post Office Life Insurance Rules, 2011 and amendments compiled as SANKALAN (including subsequent instructions/guidelines, if any) |
| 4 | Postal Manuals / Rules | • Book of BO Rules • Postal Manual Vol. II • Postal Manual Vol. III • Postal Manual Vol. IV (Leave, Pension, Gratuities, Examinations, Recruitment Rules, Establishment Norms) • Postal Manual Vol. VIII • Mail Operations and Money Remittances • Postal Manual Vol. V (except Appendix-I) • Postal Manual Vol. VI, Part-I, Chapter-I • Postal Manual Vol. VI, Part-II (except Telegraphic MOs, British & Irish Postal Orders) • Postal Manual Vol. VI, Part-III (except Appendices) • Postal Manual Vol. VII |
| 5 | Jansuraksha Schemes | • Coverage of Government insurance/social security schemes |
| 6 | Inland / Foreign Post Guidelines | • Post Office Guide Part I • Post Office Guide Part II (except Section VII & VIII) • Domestic/Foreign Post Guidelines issued by Directorate |
| 7 | Mail & Delivery Optimization | • Digital Personal Identification Number (DIGIPIN) • Mail Network Optimization Project & Parcel Network Optimization Project guidelines • Policy Guidelines on Centralized Delivery of Postal Articles by Delivery Staff • Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras (DNKs) |
| 8 | Product Consolidation | • Guidelines issued by Directorate on consolidation of products |
| 9 | Savings Bank & Certificates | • POSB Manual Vol. I, II & III (with latest SB Orders) • POSB CBS Manual (corrected up to 31.12.2021 and subsequent SB Orders) |
| 10 | Departmental Publications | • Annual Reports and Book of Information of the Department of Posts |
| 11 | Information Technology | • APT Knowledge (IT 2.0) • Working knowledge of Core Banking Solutions, PLI-CIS |
| 12 | India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) | • Basics of IPPB functioning |
| 13 | Records | • Preservation and disposal of Postal Records |
| 14 | Service Rules | • CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 • CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 • CCS (Temporary Service) Rules, 1965 |
| 15 | GDS Rules | • GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules, 2020 and Directorate’s related orders/guidelines |
IPO Exam Syllabus 2026 – Paper II (50 Marks)
| S.No. | Component | Description | Marks |
| 1 | Noting | Writing a note in approximately 200 words on a given topic | 15 |
| 2 | Drafting | Drafting a communication in approximately 200 words on a given topic | 15 |
| 3 | Charge Sheet | Preparing a Draft Major Penalty Charge Sheet | 20 |
IPO Exam Syllabus 2026 – Paper III (300 Marks)
| S.No. | Topic |
| 1 | Constitution of India – Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties, Articles 124–147, 214–232, 311, 338, 338(a), 338(b) |
| 2 | Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 – Section 1 (Short Title, Extent & Commencement), Section 2 (Definitions), Section 84 (Proclamation for person absconding) |
| 3 | Central Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985 |
| 4 | Revenue Recovery Act, 1890 |
| 5 | Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended) |
| 6 | Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and RTI Rules, 2012 |
| 7 | Procurement Manuals – Manual on Procurement of Goods, Works, and Consultancy & Other Services |
| 8 | CCS (GPF) Rules, 1961 |
| 9 | CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 and amendments |
| 10 | CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981 |
| 11 | Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 and related DoPT instructions |
| 12 | National Pension System (NPS) – CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021 (as amended); CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021 (as amended) |
| 13 | General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017 – Chapter 2 and Chapter 6 (with amendments) |
| 14 | Fundamental Rules (FR) & Supplementary Rules (SR) |
| 15 | Brochure on Casual Labourers and DoP&T instructions on Casual Labourers |
| 16 | Instructions issued by Directorate & DoP&T on maintenance of APAR |
| 17 | Service Discharge Benefit Scheme, 2010 |
| 18 | Schedule of Financial Powers of Divisional Heads & Heads of Circle |
| 19 | Welfare measures available to Departmental Employees & Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) |
| 20 | P&T Financial Handbook (FHB) Volume I and Postal FHB Volume II |
| 21 | Questions on English Language |
| 22 | Questions on General Knowledge & Current Affairs – Indian Economy, Polity, Sports, Culture & Science |
| 23 | Questions on Reasoning, Interpersonal Skills, Mental Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, Intelligence & Ethics |
Preparation Tips
- Understand the syllabus: Go through the IPO Exam syllabus thoroughly. Focus on both the theoretical knowledge and practical application.
- Use previous year papers: Solve past papers to get a better understanding of the types of questions that appear in the exam.
- Practice MCQs: Since most of the exam is MCQs, practice answering questions quickly and accurately. Get Practice MCQs for IP Exam based on IPO Exam syllabus
- Time Management: Allocate sufficient time for each paper, do not neglect any paper.
- Consistency: Maintain consistency for preparation. It is important to crack the exam.
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Conclusion
The IPO Exam syllabus is vast, covering a range of subjects including laws, rules, financial regulations, administrative procedures, and general knowledge. A structured approach to studying each section and thorough practice will help you crack the exam with confidence.
Good luck with your preparation for the IPO Exam!
