The existing number of Post Offices in urban and rural areas of the country is 15,797 and 1, 39,182 respectively as on 31.03.2010. Opening of Post offices in Rural and urban areas of the country is an ongoing exercise and these are opened subject to fulfilment of prescribed norms. In view of the poor socio-economic conditions prevalent in rural areas, there are liberalized population and financial norms for opening of Post offices there. During the current financial year 2010-11, target for opening of 200 Branch Post Offices (BOs) and 110 Sub Post Offices (SOs) has already been issued to Circles.
Rural areas are served by regular Departmental Post Offices manned by regular Departmental employees and Extra Departmental Post Offices manned by part time Gram Dak Sevaks. Departmental employees are paid regular salary as being paid to the Central Government employees, while Gramin Dak Sevaks who work on a part time basis, are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) on a pro-rate basis and normal Dearness Allowance. The Gramin Dak Sevaks are not paid regular salary at par with Central Government employees as they are outside the regular civil service.
