The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has issued a fresh communication regarding the Schedule of Timelines for GDS Compassionate Engagement (CCE) Cycle in APT 2.0.

The communication, issued by the GDS Section, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi, is dated 24 August 2026 and has been circulated to all Chief Postmasters General and the GM, CEPT, Mysuru.

According to the Department, the existing GDS Compassionate Engagement cases have been successfully migrated to APT 2.0, and the new GDS Compassionate Engagement Module will be ready for processing by the Divisional CCE with effect from 1 September 2026.

Migration of GDS Compassionate Engagement Cases to APT 2.0

The Department has stated that all existing GDS Compassionate Engagement cases have been migrated from the earlier system to APT 2.0.

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was also shared with Circles on 12 August 2026 for resolving discrepancies in the cases migrated from the CCE Portal/IT 1.0 to APT 2.0.

All pending verification and processing of Compassionate Engagement cases, including cases received under the One Time Relaxation Scheme, are required to be completed by 31 August 2026.

Revised Half-Yearly CCE Schedule

The Department has revised the half-yearly schedule for processing GDS Compassionate Engagement cases in the newly migrated APT 2.0 portal.

The important stages and tentative timelines are given below.

1. CCE Meeting and Approval of Competent Authority

The first stage covers the CCE meeting, scrutiny of cases and approval by the competent authority.

CCE Meeting:
The CCE meeting for consideration of all pending cases is scheduled during 1–10 September 2026.

Scrutiny at RO/CO Level:
Cases forwarded by the CCE will be scrutinized by the concerned AD/APMG at RO/CO level during 11–25 September 2026.

The AD/APMG will examine each case and submit observations/discrepancies, wherever applicable. The case may be recommended as:

• May be approved
• May be rejected
• Observation/comments may be recorded where there is a difference of opinion with the CCE.

Consideration by DPS/PMG/CPMG

The cases will subsequently be considered by the DPS/PMG/CPMG at RO/CO level, as applicable, up to 25 October 2026.

The competent authority will record its decision as:

• Approved
• Rejected
• Acceptance of the observations/comments of AD/APMG in case of difference of opinion
• Recording of its own observations, including approval or rejection
• Reversal of a case for clarification/rectification by the Division, wherever required.

A separate window from 26 October to 10 November 2026 has been provided for reversal/rectification of individual cases that were not reverted earlier and for consideration of clarification received from the Division.

The final decision—approved or rejected—will be taken by the competent authority. The Department has specifically stated that no cases will be carried forward to the next CCE.

2. Vacancy Updation and Processing

After completion of the CCE decision process, the vacancy-related activities will be undertaken.

Vacancy Updation by Division

The Division will update the vacancies during 1–10 November 2026.

The vacancies will be based on vacancies occurring or likely to occur with effect from 1 July 2026 onwards, as applicable, due to any reason.

Vacancy Approval by Circle

The vacancy approval by the Circle is scheduled for 11–15 November 2026.

Processing by CEPT

The processing by CEPT is scheduled for 16–18 November 2026.

3. Final Allotment of Post

The final stage is the allotment of posts to recommended candidates.

Submission of Post Preference

The recommended candidates will submit their post preference during 19–25 November 2026.

Final Allotment and Issue of PE Letter

The final allotment of the post and issue of the PE (Provisional Engagement) letter to the recommended candidate by the Division is scheduled from 30 November 2026 onwards.

GDS Compassionate Engagement CCE 2026 – Important Dates

The above schedule is based on Annexure-A of the Department of Posts letter dated 24 August 2026.

Important Instructions for Circles and Divisions

The Department has directed all Circles to ensure that all pending verification and processing of GDS Compassionate Engagement cases are completed by 31 August 2026.

This includes cases received under the One Time Relaxation Scheme.

CEPT has also been requested to complete the pending development activities and conduct adequate testing to ensure a smooth, stable and reliable go-live of the GDS Compassionate Engagement Module on 1 September 2026.

What This Means for GDS Compassionate Engagement Candidates

The revised schedule provides a clear timeline for the processing of pending GDS Compassionate Engagement cases after their migration to APT 2.0.

Candidates whose cases are under consideration should particularly keep track of the subsequent stages, including the competent authority's decision, vacancy processing, post preference submission and final allotment.

As per the schedule, the final allotment and issue of the PE letter by the Division are planned from 30 November 2026 onwards.

Key Takeaways

• Existing GDS CCE cases have been migrated to APT 2.0.
• The GDS Compassionate Engagement Module is scheduled to become operational for Divisional CCE processing from 1 September 2026.
• Pending verification/processing is to be completed by 31 August 2026.
• CCE meetings are scheduled for 1–10 September 2026.
• Vacancy updation is scheduled for 1–10 November 2026.
• Recommended candidates will submit post preferences during 19–25 November 2026.
• Final post allotment and issue of PE letters are scheduled from 30 November 2026 onwards.
• No cases will be carried forward to the next CCE, as specifically mentioned in the revised schedule.