CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL ERNAKULAM BENCH Original Application No.180/00662/2022 Monday, this the 15^th day of December, 2025 C O R A M :

HON'BLE Mr.JUSTICE K.HARIPAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON'BLE Mrs.V.RAMA MATHEW, ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER Sunil K.K., S/o K.Kumaran, 47 years, working as Gramin Dak Sevak Mail Deliverer, Nedumkandam P.O., Idukki.

Residing at Kottutharayil House, Idukki Kavala, Kattappana Village, Idukki Taluk, Kattappana P.O, Idukki – 685 508. ...Applicant (By Advocates : Mr.Nirmal V Nair & Ms.Arathi Prabhakaran)

v e r s u s

1. Union of India, represented by the Secretary to Department of Posts, New Delhi – 110 001.

2. Chief Postmaster General, Kerala Postal Circle, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 033.

3. Superintendent of Post Offices, Idukki Division, O/o.Superintendent of Post Offices, Idukki Division, Thodupuzha P.O., Idukki – 685 584.

4. Assistant Director (Estt. & Rectt), O/o.the Chief Postmaster General, Kerala Postal Circle, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 033. ...Respondents (By Advocate : Mr.Sreejith.N, ACGSC)

The Original Application having been heard on 28^th November 2025, the Tribunal on 15^th December, 2025 delivered the following:

O R D E R

HON'BLE Mrs.V.RAMA MATHEW, ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER The applicant was a candidate in the selection conducted to the post of Postman/Mail Guard for the vacancies of the year 2022 earmarked for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS). The applicant's candidature for appearing in the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) was rejected by the respondents for the reason that he had not written the Question Booklet number for Paper No.III in the examination. As per the final answer key published for the examination he has secured the minimum marks needed for qualifying the Paper No.III. However, since he had not written the Question Booklet number in the OMR Answer Sheet he was not permitted to appear.

2. The claim of the applicant is three fold. One, that the non writing of his roll number is a non fatal error. Two, Paper No.III is a two part examination which has descriptive test and OMR (MCQ). Three, it is purely a qualifying paper and his selection would depend upon his performance in Papers I & II. Annexure A-1, which is assailed, is the reply to the representation submitted by him as regards his eligibility.

3. The facts of the case are as under – The applicant was appointed as a GDS in the Nedumkandam Post Office with effect from 15.06.2011. He continues to work there as GDS MD. While so, the 2^nd respondent had notified the Competitive Examination limited to GDS for recruitment to the posts of Postman/Mail Guard and Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) for the vacancy year 2022 scheduled to be held on 04.09.2022. This notification is produced as Annexure A-2. As per the terms of Annexure A-2 in order to appear in the DEST ie., Paper IV the candidate should score the minimum qualifying marks in Paper I and Paper II combined and should also secure the minimum qualifying marks in the Paper III separately. It is pertinent to note that DEST is a test conducted on a computer having a duration of only 15 minutes and the evaluation of DEST is done through online. The revised pattern and syllabus for examinations conducted for appointment to the posts of MTS, Postman and Mail Guard has been issued by the 1^st respondent by instructions dated 05.04.2022, which is produced as Annexure A-3. The following criteria listed in Annexure A-3 are pertinent here. The same reads as follow –

i. Selection of candidates will be based on their performance in Paper I and Paper II.

ii. Provided, the candidate secures the minimum qualifying marks in Paper III and DEST.

iii. Combined total of marks secured in Paper I and Paper II will be considered for selection to the posts of Postman/Mail Guard.

iv. All those candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks in Paper I and II combined and the minimum qualifying marks in Paper III separately will be entitled to appear in the DEST.

v. All those candidates who secure the minimum qualifying standards in DEST, wi