India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: The Department of Posts, Government of India has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification. The recruitment is for engagement to the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak in different offices of the Department of Posts.
The official notification, numbered 17-12/2026-GDS, is dated 20 August 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal.
Important: Candidates should carefully check the official vacancy position for their preferred Division before submitting the application.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview
Recruitment Organization : Department of Posts, Government of India
Recruitment : Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS)
Schedule: Schedule-II, July-2026
Notification No. : 17-12/2026-GDS
Notification Date :20 August 2026
Posts : BPM, ABPM & Dak Sevak
Application Mode : Online
One-Time Registration : 31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026
Online Application : 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026
Application Closing Time : 5:00 PM
Correction Window : 23 September 2026 to 24 September 2026
Minimum Qualification : 10th Standard Pass
Selection : System-generated merit list based on 10th standard marks
Official Portal :India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal
The registration window is from 31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026, while online application submission and fee payment are available from 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM. A two-day correction window is scheduled for 23–24 September 2026.
India Post GDS Vacancy 2026
The notification invites applications for vacant Gramin Dak Sevak posts, including:
- Branch Postmaster (BPM)
- Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
- Dak Sevak
The vacancy position is provided Division-wise through the GDS Online Engagement Portal. The official Annexure-I contains details such as Division, Office, Post ID, TRCA, language and PIN code, along with community-wise vacancy information.
Therefore, candidates should check the Division-wise GDS vacancy available on the official portal before selecting their preferences.
GDS Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
- One-Time Registration Starts : 31 August 2026
- Last Date for One-Time Registration : 19 September 2026
- Online Application Starts : 2 September 2026
- Last Date for Online Application : 21 September 2026
- Last Date & Time : 5:00 PM
- Application Correction :23–24 September 2026
- Correction Closing Time : 5:00 PM
Candidates are advised not to wait until the final day because heavy website traffic or technical problems may prevent successful submission. The Department specifically advises candidates to complete their applications well before the closing date.
GDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
- Candidates applying for GDS engagement must have passed the Secondary School Examination (10th Standard) from a recognized Board of School Education.
- The candidate must have passed Mathematics and English in the 10th standard examination. Equivalent qualifications from other boards are subject to the conditions specified in the notification.
Local Language
- The candidate should have studied the prescribed local language up to 10th Standard from a recognized board.
- For the Kerala Postal Circle, the prescribed local language is Malayalam. The Kerala Circle covers Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe.
Other Qualifications
Candidates should also have:
- Knowledge of computers
- Knowledge of cycling
- Adequate means of livelihood
These requirements are specifically mentioned in the GDS notification.
GDS Age Limit 2026
The prescribed age limit is:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 40 years
Age is calculated as on the last date of submission of applications.
Age Relaxation
- Category Age Relaxation
- SC/ST 5 years
- OBC 3 years
- EWS No relaxation
- PwBD 10 years
- PwBD + OBC 13 years
- PwBD + SC/ST 15 years
The applicable relaxation is subject to the conditions and certificates prescribed in the official notification.
India Post GDS Salary 2026
GDS employees are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA). The notification states that TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to the applicable conditions. GDS employees are also entitled to Dearness Allowance and certain other allowances and social-security benefits as specified under the GDS Rules.
GDS TRCA Pay Slab
- Post TRCA Slab
- BPM ₹12,000 – ₹29,380
- ABPM/Dak Sevak ₹10,000 – ₹24,470
The above are the basic TRCA slabs stated in the notification.
Important: GDS should not be considered equivalent to regular Central Government employees. The notification clearly states that GDS are not regular employees of the Department/Central Government and their emoluments and entitlements are not at par with regular Central Government employees.
GDS Job Profile 2026
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
The BPM is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Branch Post Office and India Post Payments Bank services. Duties can include postal operations, marketing and promotion of postal products and services, mail conveyance and delivery, and other responsibilities assigned by senior officers.
Selected BPM candidates must arrange suitable accommodation for the Branch Post Office at their own cost and are required to reside in the post village.
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
The ABPM's duties include:
- Sale of stamps and stationery
- Mail conveyance and doorstep delivery
- IPPB deposits and payments
- Assisting the BPM
- Marketing and promotion of postal services
- Other duties assigned by senior officers
ABPMs are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.
Dak Sevak
- Dak Sevaks may work in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices and Delivery Centres.
- Their duties can include handling mail and parcels, delivery services, sale of stamps and stationery, IPPB transactions and assisting in the smooth functioning of Post Offices.
GDS Selection Process 2026
One of the most important points for candidates is the GDS selection process.
The notification states that applicants will be shortlisted through a system-generated merit list. The merit list is prepared using marks obtained or the applicable conversion of grades/points in the 10th Standard Secondary School Examination. The marks are aggregated to a percentage up to four decimal places.
Is there a GDS Written Exam?
The selection criteria described in this notification are based on the 10th standard marks/grades and system-generated merit list. Candidates should therefore carefully enter their Class 10 academic details while applying.
Past experience or previous service of any kind is not considered for selection.
GDS Merit List 2026 – Grade Conversion
Where applicable, grades are converted using the prescribed multiplication factor of 9.5.
Grade Grade Point Multiplication Factor
A1 10 9.5
A2 9 9.5
B1 8 9.5
B2 7 9.5
C1 6 9.5
C2 5 9.5
D 4 9.5
Where CGPA is provided, the notification states that marks are arrived at by multiplying CGPA by 9.5.
GDS Application Fee 2026
The application fee is ₹100 for applicants who are required to pay the fee.
However, the notification provides fee exemption for:
Female applicants
- SC applicants
- ST applicants
- PwBD applicants
- Transwomen applicants
- Eligible applicants can pay online using available payment methods including credit/debit cards, net banking and UPI.
- The fee, once paid, is not refundable, so candidates should verify their eligibility and Division choice before making payment.
How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
- Candidates can apply online through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal.
- Step 1 – One-Time Registration
- Visit the GDS Online Engagement Portal and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR).
- Candidates need an active mobile number and email ID. Both are verified through OTP and are used for important communications from the Department.
- Step 2 – Login
- After successful registration, a unique Registration Number is generated. Candidates should keep the Registration Number safely for future login and application submission.
- Step 3 – Fill Online Application
- Login using the Registration Number and password and select the Apply Online option under the active notification.
The application includes:
- Personal details
- Educational/Board details
- Division and post preference
- Photograph and signature upload
- Application preview
- Fee payment, where applicable
- Step 4 – Select Division and Post Preference
- Candidates can select eligible vacant GDS posts in one selected Division. The available posts depend on factors such as community, age, PwD status and local language studied.
- Candidates will not be considered for posts for which they have not provided a preference. If selected for multiple posts, only the post corresponding to the applicable preference order will be offered.
- Step 5 – Upload Photograph and Signature
The notification prescribes the following specifications:
Photograph
- JPG/JPEG format
- 30 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended size: 320 × 400 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- DPI: 72–150
- Plain white/light-coloured background
Signature
- JPG/JPEG format
- 20 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended size: 300 × 120 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 5:2
- DPI: 72–150
- White background
- Blurred or unclear photographs/signatures may result in rejection of the application.
- Documents Required for GDS Document Verification
- Shortlisted candidates are required to attend physical verification and carry applicable original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies.
Important documents include:
- 10th Standard Mark Sheet
- Identity Proof
- Caste Certificate, if applicable
- PwBD Certificate, if applicable
- EWS Certificate, if applicable
- Transgender Certificate, if applicable
- Date of Birth Proof
- Medical Certificate
- Applicable local language/dialect certificate
GDS Document Verification and Joining
- Shortlisted candidates are required to report to the designated authority for physical verification within the prescribed period.
- After successful document verification, a system-generated Offer of Provisional Engagement is issued. Candidates then have to complete the required pre-engagement formalities, including prescribed basic training and accommodation arrangements, within the stipulated period.
Important Instructions for GDS Applicants
Candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- Only one registration is permitted per candidate.
- Duplicate or multiple registrations are prohibited.
- Name, father's name, mother's name and date of birth should match the Class 10 certificate.
- Photograph and signature must meet the prescribed specifications.
- Incorrect or incomplete information may result in rejection.
- Candidates should regularly check the official portal for updates.
- The Department does not make phone calls to applicants/shortlisted candidates for such communications.
- Candidates should not share their registration number, mobile number or email ID with others unnecessarily.
GDS Recruitment 2026 – Correction Window
- A two-day correction window will be available after the closing date of the online application.
- The scheduled correction period is:
- 23 September 2026 to 24 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
- Candidates can modify eligible registration/application details during this period. After the correction window closes, further modification requests will not be entertained.
- Frequently Asked Questions – India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
- What is India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
- It is the Department of Posts' online engagement process for Gramin Dak Sevak posts such as BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak under GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is an
important opportunity for candidates looking for 10th pass government
jobs, Post Office jobs and Gramin Dak Sevak recruitment. The recruitment
covers BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak positions, with selection based on a
system-generated merit list using 10th Standard marks/grade conversion.
Candidates
should complete One-Time Registration and online application within the
prescribed dates and carefully verify all details before final
submission.
Apply early and check the official GDS portal regularly for vacancy, merit list, shortlisting and document verification updates.
What is the GDS educational qualification?
Candidates should have passed the 10th Standard Secondary School Examination with Mathematics and English from a recognized board.
What is the GDS age limit?
The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 40 years, subject to applicable relaxations.
What is the GDS salary?
The TRCA slab is ₹12,000–₹29,380 for BPM and ₹10,000–₹24,470 for ABPM/Dak Sevak, subject to the applicable rules and allowances.
Is there a GDS written examination?
The notification specifies a system-generated merit list based on 10th Standard marks/grade conversion for shortlisting.
What is the GDS application fee?
The prescribed fee is ₹100 for applicable candidates. Female, SC/ST, PwBD and Transwomen applicants are exempted from payment.
What is the last date to apply for GDS Recruitment 2026?
The last date for online application and fee payment is 21 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
What is the Kerala GDS local language?
For the Kerala Postal Circle, the prescribed local language is Malayalam.