The Department of India Post GDS Recruitment 2026, Government of India, has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification. The recruitment is being conducted for eligible candidates for the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak in various offices under the Department of Posts.
The official notification, bearing Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026, invites applications through the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Department | 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 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Minimum Qualification | Class 10th Pass |
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| Maximum Age | 40 Years |
| Selection Method | System-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
| Official Portal | India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal |
Important: The notification provides the vacancy position division-wise through Annexure-I and states that the division-wise vacancy position will be available on the GDS portal. Therefore, applicants should check the portal for the vacancies applicable to their preferred Division.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should keep the following dates in mind:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Online One-Time Registration | 31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026 |
| Online Application & Fee Payment | 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 |
| Last Time for Application/Fee Payment | 5:00 PM on 21 September 2026 |
| Correction/Edit Window | 23 September 2026 to 24 September 2026 |
| Last Time for Correction | 5:00 PM on 24 September 2026 |
The Department has specifically advised candidates to complete their applications well before the closing date instead of waiting until the last day.
India Post GDS Vacancy 2026
The recruitment covers vacant GDS posts in different Circles and Divisions of the Department of Posts.
The three categories of posts are:
- Branch Postmaster (BPM)
- Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
- Dak Sevak
The official Annexure-I contains the Division-wise vacancy format, including office name, Post ID, TRCA, language and PIN Code. The notification states that the actual Division-wise vacancy position will be available on the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
Candidates should therefore check the available vacancies and eligibility for their preferred Division before submitting the application.
India Post 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 recognized by the Government of India, State Governments or Union Territories.
The candidate must have obtained passing marks in Mathematics and English.
Candidates must also have studied the local language prescribed for the concerned post/Circle at least up to Class 10.
Other Required Qualifications
The notification also specifies:
- Knowledge of computers
- Knowledge of cycling
- Adequate means of livelihood
Selected candidates are required to submit the prescribed undertakings regarding these requirements.
Age Limit
The age of the applicant will be calculated as on the last date of submission of the online application.
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 40 years
Age relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories as prescribed in the notification.
Upper Age Relaxation
| Category | 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 documentary requirements specified in the notification.
Local Language Requirement
Knowledge of the prescribed local language is an important eligibility condition under GDS recruitment.
For example, the notification specifies:
- West Bengal: Bengali
- Bihar: Hindi
- Jharkhand: Hindi
- Odisha: Odia
- Uttar Pradesh: Hindi
- Madhya Pradesh: Hindi
- Karnataka: Kannada
- Tamil Nadu: Tamil
- Telangana: Telugu
- Andhra Pradesh: Telugu
- Kerala: Malayalam
- Maharashtra: Marathi
- Rajasthan: Hindi
There are special language provisions for areas including Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Nagaland and Sikkim. Candidates should carefully check the prescribed language for the Division/post they intend to select.
India Post GDS Posts and Job Profile
1. Branch Postmaster (BPM)
The BPM is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Branch Post Office and related India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) operations.
The duties may include:
- Managing Branch Post Office operations
- Handling postal services and customer services
- Mail conveyance and delivery
- Marketing and promotion of postal products and services
- Performing other duties assigned by senior postal officials
A particularly important condition is that a selected BPM must arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office at their own cost and must reside in the post village where the Branch Office is functioning.
2. Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
The ABPM assists the BPM in postal operations.
Duties include:
- Sale of stamps and stationery
- Mail conveyance and doorstep delivery
- IPPB deposits, payments and other transactions
- Assisting in Branch Post Office operations
- Marketing and promotion of postal products and services
- Performing BPM duties when required
ABPMs are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Branch Office.
3. Gramin 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 can include:
- Sale of stamps and stationery
- Mail and parcel delivery
- Handling mail bags and parcels
- Sorting and related postal work
- IPPB-related transactions
- Assisting Postmasters and other officers
- Marketing and business procurement activities
Dak Sevaks are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the Post Office to which they are attached.
GDS Salary / TRCA 2026
GDS employees are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) rather than the regular Central Government employee pay structure.
The notification gives the following initial TRCA slabs:
| Post | TRCA Slab |
|---|---|
| BPM | ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 |
| ABPM/Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 |
GDS personnel are also entitled to Dearness Allowance on TRCA, as declared by the Government from time to time. The notification also mentions benefits such as GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme.
Important point about GDS employment
GDS candidates should understand that GDS personnel are not regular employees of the Department/Central Government, and their emoluments and other entitlements are not at par with regular Central Government employees.
The notification states that GDS personnel generally work 4 to 5 hours a day, and a GDS should have another source of income to support livelihood.
India Post GDS Selection Process 2026
One of the most important features of GDS recruitment is that selection is based on a system-generated merit list.
There is no separate written examination mentioned as the basis of shortlisting in this notification.
The merit list will be prepared using marks obtained in the Class 10 Secondary School Examination, with marks/grades converted according to the rules specified in the notification. Merit is calculated up to four decimal places.
How Grades Are Converted
For candidates whose marksheets contain only grades, the notification provides a conversion method using a multiplication factor of 9.5.
For example:
| 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 the CGPA will be multiplied by 9.5 for arriving at marks, subject to the detailed rules mentioned in the notification.
India Post GDS Tie-Breaking Criteria
If two or more candidates have the same merit, the Department has specified a priority order involving factors such as:
- Date of Birth, with older age receiving priority
- Category
- Gender-related categories as specified in the notification
The Department also reserves the right to introduce additional criteria in case of a tie.
Application Fee
The prescribed application fee is ₹100 for applicants to whom the fee applies.
Fee exemption is available for:
- All female applicants
- SC applicants
- ST applicants
- PwBD applicants
- Transwomen applicants
Eligible candidates can pay online using available payment modes such as Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking and UPI. The fee, once paid, is not refundable.
Candidates who are required to pay the fee must ensure that the payment is successfully completed by 5:00 PM on 21 September 2026. Incomplete or pending payment after the closing time will result in rejection.
How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
Candidates need to complete the application process in two main stages:
Step 1: One-Time Registration
Candidates must first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
A valid:
- Mobile number
- Email ID
- Class 10 examination/Board details
should be kept ready.
The mobile number and email ID are verified through OTP and are used for important communications.
Step 2: Submit the Online Application
After registration, candidates can log in using their Registration Number and password and complete the application.
The process includes:
- Personal details
- Educational/Board details
- Division selection
- Post preferences
- Photograph and signature upload
- Preview of application
- Fee payment, where applicable
- Final submission
The candidate should carefully check every detail before final submission.
Official GDS application portal:
India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal
Photograph and Signature Requirements
Candidates must upload a recent photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Photograph
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Size: 30 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended dimensions: 320 × 400 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- DPI: 72–150
- Plain white or light-coloured background
- Face should occupy around 70–80% of the image
Signature
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Size: 20 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended dimensions: 300 × 120 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 5:2
- Signature should be written on white paper using black or blue ink
Blurred, unclear or miniature photographs/signatures can lead to rejection. Candidates should check the preview carefully before final submission.
India Post GDS Post Preference – Important Rule
Candidates can apply for one or more vacant GDS posts within only one selected Division.
After selecting a Division, the portal will display posts for which the candidate is eligible based on factors such as:
- Community/category
- Age
- PwD status
- Local language
- Available vacancies
Candidates must provide preferences for the posts they want to be considered for.
If a candidate is shortlisted for more than one opted post, only one post will ultimately be offered according to the applicable preference order, and rights over the remaining posts will be forfeited.
Correction Window
A two-day correction window will be available from 23 September to 24 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
Candidates can modify eligible details during this period. However, after the correction window closes, no further correction request will be entertained.
Candidates should therefore review the application very carefully before final submission and again during the correction period if they make any changes.
Documents Required at Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted for engagement will have to appear before the designated authority for physical verification.
Documents may include, as applicable:
- Class 10 marksheet
- Identity proof
- Caste certificate
- PwBD certificate
- EWS certificate
- Transgender certificate
- Date of Birth proof
- Medical certificate from a Government medical facility
- Relevant local/tribal language certificate for applicable States
Candidates are required to carry originals along with two sets of self-attested photocopies of applicable documents.
Shortlisted candidates generally have 15 days from the date of shortlisting to report for document verification. Failure to report within the prescribed period can result in cancellation of candidature.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates should pay special attention to the following points:
1. Only one registration is allowed
Multiple or duplicate registrations/applications are strictly prohibited. If duplicate applications are detected, candidature can be cancelled.
2. Enter details exactly as per the Class 10 certificate
The candidate’s name, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth and other relevant details should match the Class 10 marksheet/certificate.
3. Keep your mobile number and email active
Important information is communicated through the registered mobile number and email ID, although candidates are also advised to regularly visit the official portal.
4. Check your DigiLocker records
The Department may verify Class 10 marksheets through DigiLocker/API Setu/official educational board websites, where available. Candidates are advised to ensure that their online educational records are accurate.
5. Do not fall for fraudulent calls
The notification states that the Department does not make phone calls to applicants/shortlisted candidates. Candidates should be cautious about suspicious calls and should not disclose registration numbers, mobile numbers or email IDs to unknown persons.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Key Takeaways
The India Post GDS Schedule-II, July-2026 recruitment provides an opportunity for eligible Class 10 pass candidates to seek engagement as BPM, ABPM or Dak Sevak.
The most important points are:
- 10th pass candidates can apply, subject to the prescribed conditions.
- Age: 18 to 40 years, with applicable relaxation.
- Selection: System-generated merit based primarily on Class 10 marks.
- BPM TRCA: ₹12,000–₹29,380.
- ABPM/Dak Sevak TRCA: ₹10,000–₹24,470.
- Application fee: ₹100 for applicable candidates.
- Female, SC/ST, PwBD and Transwomen candidates: Fee exempt.
- Registration: 31 August–19 September 2026.
- Application: 2 September–21 September 2026.
- Correction: 23–24 September 2026.
- Local language: Must meet the prescribed requirement for the selected post/Circle.
- Vacancies: Division-wise vacancies are available through the official GDS portal.
Final Words
Candidates interested in India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 should read the complete official notification carefully before applying. Particular attention should be given to the local-language requirement, Division selection, post preference, Class 10 marks, application details and document verification requirements.
Since GDS selection is based on a system-generated merit list using Class 10 examination marks, candidates should enter their academic details accurately. They should also complete the application well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.
Disclaimer: This article has been prepared from the uploaded official GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification. Candidates should always refer to the official India Post GDS portal and the complete notification for the latest vacancy position, instructions and any subsequent changes.
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