India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: India Post has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification for engagement to GDS posts in different offices of the Department of Posts. The notification covers the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak.
The notification was issued by the Department of Posts under Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated August 20, 2026. Eligible candidates have to complete the application process online through the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Authority | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India |
| Recruitment | Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement |
| Schedule | Schedule-II, July-2026 |
| Notification Number | 17-12/2026-GDS |
| Notification Date | August 20, 2026 |
| Posts | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Application Portal | India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal |
| One-Time Registration | August 31, 2026 to September 19, 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Online Application and Fee Payment | September 2, 2026 to September 21, 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Correction Window | September 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Selection Basis | System-generated merit list based on Class 10 performance |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
| Fee Exemption | Female, SC, ST, PwBD and Transwomen applicants |
The notification does not provide one consolidated vacancy figure in the main notification. Instead, it states that the tentative vacancy details for each Circle/Division are provided in Annexure-I and that the division-wise vacancy position will be available on the GDS portal.
India Post GDS 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| One-Time Registration starts | August 31, 2026 |
| Last date for One-Time Registration | September 19, 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Online application starts | September 2, 2026 |
| Last date to submit online application and pay fee | September 21, 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Application correction window | September 23 to September 24, 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
Candidates should complete the application well before the deadline rather than waiting for the last day. The Department has specifically advised applicants to avoid last-minute technical problems caused by heavy website traffic.
Also Read: GSL Recruitment 2026
India Post GDS 2026 Vacancy Details
The notification provides the vacancy position division-wise through Annexure-I and the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
| Vacancy Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Posts covered | BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak |
| Vacancy distribution | Circle/Division-wise |
| Community categories | UR, EWS, SC, ST and OBC, as applicable |
| PwBD reservation | Provided according to the categories specified in the notification |
| Detailed vacancy position | Available on the GDS Online Engagement Portal |
Candidates should check the portal for the vacancies available in their eligible Division before submitting their preferences.
India Post GDS Posts and Job Profile
1. Branch Postmaster (BPM)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Main responsibility | Day-to-day postal operations of the Branch Post Office and India Post Payments Bank |
| Other duties | Marketing and promotion of postal products and services |
| Single-handed BO | Overall responsibility for smooth and timely functioning, including mail conveyance and delivery |
| Additional duties | May perform ABPM duties when ordered or when an ABPM is unavailable |
| Accommodation | BPM has to arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office at their own cost |
| Residence | Selected BPM must reside in the post village where the Branch Office is functioning |
2. Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
ABPMs are responsible for duties such as:
- Sale of stamps and stationery.
- Conveyance and doorstep delivery of mail.
- Exchange of mail with the account office.
- Deposits, payments and other India Post Payments Bank transactions.
- Assisting the BPM in postal operations.
- Marketing and promotion of Department products and services.
- Performing combined BPM duties when ordered or when the BPM is unavailable.
- Performing other duties assigned by senior officers.
- Residing within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.
3. Dak Sevak
Dak Sevaks may be engaged in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices, Delivery Centres and other offices of the Department.
Their duties may include:
- Sale of stamps and stationery.
- Conveyance and doorstep delivery of mail.
- Deposits, payments and other IPPB transactions.
- Handling mail, mail bags and parcels.
- Transhipment of mail bags.
- Delivery of mail and parcels at Delivery Centres.
- Assisting Postmasters and other officers in the smooth functioning of Post Offices.
- Marketing and business procurement-related work as assigned.
- Residing within the delivery jurisdiction of the Post Office to which they are attached.
India Post GDS Salary
GDSs are paid through Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA). The TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to the conditions prescribed under the GDS Rules. GDSs are also entitled to Dearness Allowance and certain other allowances and social security benefits.
| Post | Basic TRCA Slab |
|---|---|
| BPM | ₹12,000 to ₹29,380 |
| ABPM/Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 to ₹24,470 |
It is important to note that GDSs are not regular employees of the Department or Central Government, and their emoluments and other entitlements are not at par with regular Central Government employees.
India Post GDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates should carefully check the age, educational qualification and other requirements before applying.
Age Limit
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Maximum age | 40 years |
| Age calculation | As on the last date of submission of applications |
Upper 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 |
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have:
- Passed the Secondary School Examination (10th standard) from a recognized Board of School Education recognized by the Government of India, State Governments or Union Territories in India.
- Passed Mathematics and English in the 10th standard.
- Studied the prescribed local language up to at least the 10th standard from a recognized board.
- Candidates possessing an equivalent qualification from another board, as specified in the notification, are not eligible.
Other Qualifications
Apart from the educational qualification, candidates must have:
- Knowledge of computers.
- Knowledge of cycling.
- Adequate means of livelihood.
Selected candidates have to submit the prescribed undertakings regarding computer knowledge, cycling and adequate means of livelihood at the time of engagement.
Official Website: Get Details
Official Notification PDF: Get Details
Local Language Requirement
The applicant must have studied the prescribed local language up to the 10th standard. The language differs according to the Postal Circle.
| Postal Circle/Area | Prescribed Local Language |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh and Yanam | Telugu |
| Assam | Assamese; Bengali in three Barak Valley districts; Bodo in Bodoland Territorial Council areas |
| Bihar | Hindi |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi |
| Delhi | Hindi |
| Gujarat, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Gujarati |
| Haryana | Hindi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh | Urdu or Hindi |
| Jharkhand | Hindi |
| Karnataka | Kannada |
| Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe | Malayalam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi |
| Maharashtra | Marathi |
| Goa | Konkani or Marathi, subject to special provisions |
| Manipur | Manipuri or English |
| Odisha | Odia |
| Punjab | Punjabi |
| Rajasthan | Hindi |
| Tamil Nadu and applicable Puducherry areas | Tamil |
| Telangana | Telugu |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi |
| West Bengal | Bengali |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Hindi or English |
Special local-language provisions apply in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland. Candidates applying in these areas should check the specific language requirements and certificate provisions in the notification.
India Post GDS Application Fee
| Candidate Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/applicable candidates | ₹100 |
| Female applicants | Exempted |
| SC/ST applicants | Exempted |
| PwBD applicants | Exempted |
| Transwomen applicants | Exempted |
Applicants who are required to pay the fee can use available online payment methods, including recognized credit/debit cards, net banking and UPI. The fee, once paid, is not refundable.
India Post GDS Selection Procedure
There is no written examination mentioned as the basis for shortlisting in this notification. Candidates are shortlisted through a system-generated merit list.
The selection process can be understood as follows:
- Online application: Candidates submit the application through the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
- Merit list: A system-generated merit list is prepared using the candidate’s Class 10 Secondary School Examination marks.
- Marks calculation: Marks, grades or points are converted according to the rules specified in the notification.
- Merit percentage: The marks are aggregated to a percentage with accuracy up to four decimal places.
- Tie-breaking: If candidates have the same merit, the Department follows the prescribed priority order, beginning with date of birth and then the specified category/gender sequence.
- Shortlisting: Shortlisted candidates are informed through the portal, SMS and email.
- Physical verification: Shortlisted candidates must appear before the designated authority with the required original documents and two sets of self-attested photocopies.
- Provisional engagement: After successful document verification, a system-generated offer of provisional engagement is issued.
- Pre-engagement formalities: Candidates must complete the required formalities, including prescribed basic training and accommodation arrangements where applicable, within the stipulated period.
- Final engagement: Final engagement is subject to completion of the required verification and formalities.
For candidates whose marksheets contain only grades, the notification specifies a 9.5 multiplication factor for converting grade points into marks. Where CGPA is available, it is also converted using the prescribed 9.5 factor.
Documents Required for Physical Verification
Shortlisted candidates have to carry applicable original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies.
- Class 10 marksheet.
- Identity proof.
- Caste certificate, where applicable.
- PwBD certificate, where applicable.
- EWS certificate, where applicable.
- Transgender certificate, where applicable.
- Date of Birth proof.
- Medical certificate issued by a medical officer of a Government Hospital, Government Dispensary, Government Primary Health Centre or other specified government medical facility.
- Certificate relating to knowledge of tribal/local dialects or language where applicable for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa or Nagaland.
How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
Candidates can apply only through the online mode.
Step 1: Complete One-Time Registration
- Visit the India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal.
- Select the candidate registration option.
- Enter a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Verify the mobile number and email ID through OTP.
- Enter personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, parents’ details and community.
- Enter the required Class 10 board and passing-year information.
- Create the required password.
- Note down the registration number generated by the system.
Only one registration is permitted for a candidate. Duplicate or multiple registrations can lead to cancellation of candidature.
Step 2: Fill Out the Online Application
After registration:
- Log in using the registration number and password.
- Select the active GDS notification and choose Apply Online.
- Complete the personal details.
- Enter educational and board details.
- Select the eligible Division and post preferences.
- Upload the recent photograph and signature.
- Preview the complete application.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Submit the application finally.
Candidates can select eligible posts within only one selected Division. If a candidate is shortlisted for more than one post, only the post offered according to the preference order will be retained and the rights over the remaining posts will be forfeited.
Photograph and Signature Specifications
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photograph format | JPG/JPEG |
| Photograph size | 30 KB to 100 KB |
| Recommended photograph dimensions | 320 × 400 pixels |
| Photograph aspect ratio | 4:5 |
| Photograph DPI | 72 to 150 |
| Photograph background | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Signature format | JPG/JPEG |
| Signature size | 20 KB to 100 KB |
| Recommended signature dimensions | 300 × 120 pixels |
| Signature aspect ratio | 5:2 |
| Signature DPI | 72 to 150 |
| Signature background | Plain white |
The photograph should be clear and well-lit, while the signature should be scanned from a white background using black or blue ink. Blurred or unclear photographs and signatures can result in rejection of the application.
Step 3: Check the Correction Window
A two-day correction window is available from September 23 to September 24, 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
Candidates should carefully check every detail before final submission because no correction will be permitted after the correction window closes.
Important Points for Candidates
Candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- Only one registration is permitted.
- Duplicate or multiple applications are prohibited.
- The name, father’s name, mother’s name and date of birth should be entered exactly as recorded in the Class 10 marksheet.
- Candidates should regularly check the GDS portal for updates.
- SMS or email may be used to communicate important information, but candidates should not rely solely on these messages.
- Applications containing incomplete or incorrect information may be rejected.
- Blurred or illegible photographs/signatures may lead to rejection.
- No person holding an elective office will be considered for engagement.
- Past experience or service of any kind will not be considered for selection.
- Candidates dismissed, removed or compulsorily retired from Government service/GDS as a penalty are barred from applying against these vacancies.
- Selected candidates must provide the prescribed undertakings relating to computer knowledge, cycling and adequate means of livelihood.
- Candidates should maintain a DigiLocker account and ensure that relevant documents are available there where applicable.
- The Department may verify Class 10 marksheets through API Setu, DigiLocker or the official website of the concerned educational board.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 FAQs
1. What is the India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
It is the Gramin Dak Sevak Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026, issued by the Department of Posts for engagement to BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak posts.
2. What is the educational qualification for India Post GDS?
Candidates must have passed the 10th standard Secondary School Examination from a recognized board, with passing marks in Mathematics and English. They must also have studied the prescribed local language up to the 10th standard.
3. What is the age limit for GDS recruitment?
The minimum age is 18 years, while the maximum age is 40 years, subject to the prescribed upper-age relaxations.
4. Is there any relaxation in the upper age limit for EWS candidates?
No. The notification specifically states that there is no upper-age relaxation for EWS applicants.
5. What is the India Post GDS application fee?
The application fee is ₹100 for applicants who are required to pay it. Female, SC, ST, PwBD and Transwomen applicants are exempted from the fee.
6. How are candidates selected for GDS posts?
Candidates are shortlisted through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks/converted grades or points.
7. Is there a written examination for India Post GDS recruitment?
The notification’s stated selection criterion is a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 performance. It does not prescribe a separate written examination as the basis for shortlisting.
8. Can a candidate apply for posts in multiple Divisions?
No. A candidate can apply for eligible GDS posts in only one selected Division and must provide preferences for the eligible posts displayed there.
9. Where can candidates apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
Applications have to be submitted online through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal:
India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal
Applications submitted through any other mode will not be entertained.
10. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application and complete fee payment, where applicable, is September 21, 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
11. Is there an application correction facility?
Yes. A two-day correction window will be available from September 23 to September 24, 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
12. What happens after a candidate is shortlisted?
Shortlisted candidates have to report to the designated authority for physical verification of their original documents within the prescribed 15-day period. After successful verification, a system-generated offer of provisional engagement is issued.
Final Words
The India Post GDS Schedule-II, July-2026 recruitment provides an opportunity for eligible 10th-pass candidates to apply for BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak posts. Since selection is based on a system-generated merit list using Class 10 performance, candidates should enter their marks and other details very carefully.
Before applying, candidates should verify their eligibility, local-language requirement, Division-wise vacancies and post preferences on the official GDS portal. They should also complete the application and, where applicable, fee payment before 5:00 PM on September 21, 2026.
Official GDS Application Portal: indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement
