Job Description
What is the India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Recruitment 2026?
In short, it’s a large recruitment drive with 23,757 job openings for candidates who have completed Class 10 and are looking for an opportunity with India Post.
Basically, through the GDS Online Engagement Schedule II, July-2026, you can apply for Gramin Dak Sevak posts. This covers Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak.
The job openings are spread across different postal Circles and Divisions. There is no conventional written examination; instead, India Post will shortlist candidates through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks, according to the rules in the notification.
Before applying, carefully check the eligibility criteria, local language requirements, available vacancies, and the post preferences for which you are eligible. Check out India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Notification here!
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment | India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Recruitment 2026 |
| Engagement | GDS Online Engagement Schedule II, July-2026 |
| Vacancies | 23,757 |
| Posts | BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak |
| Qualification | Class 10 pass |
| Selection | System-generated merit list |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 40 years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Start | 31 August 2026 |
| Registration Last Date | 19 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Application Start | 2 September 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 21 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Correction Window | 23–24 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
The official notification states that only one registration is permitted per candidate. Duplicate or multiple registrations/applications are strictly prohibited.
India Post GDS Notification 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| GDS Registration 2026 begins | 31 August 2026 |
| Registration closes | 19 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| India Post GDS Online Application 2026 begins | 2 September 2026 |
| Application and fee payment closes | 21 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Edit/Correction Window | 23–24 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM |
Please don’t wait until the last day to complete your application. The last date for submission of the India Post GDS application and applicable fee is 21 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
The India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Vacancy 2026
There are openings across different postal Circles and Divisions. The notification states that the detailed vacancy position is available division-wise on the GDS portal.
Candidates should not assume that every vacancy is available to every applicant. Available posts are displayed based on factors such as community, age, PwBD status and the local language studied by the candidate.
Therefore, check the 2026 GDS state and circle-wise vacancy list on the official GDS portal before selecting your preferences.
GDS Qualification 2026: Educational Eligibility
The 2026 GDS recruitment requires candidates to have passed the 10th class from a recognized board. Candidates must have passing marks in both Mathematics and English.
Additionally, candidates should have studied the prescribed local language at least up to Class 10 for the Circle in which they are applying.
The GDS Local Language Requirement
This is an important eligibility requirement because candidates must have studied the prescribed language to the required level for the relevant Circle.
For example, Tamil is prescribed for Tamil Nadu, Malayalam for Kerala, Kannada for Karnataka, Marathi for Maharashtra, and Hindi for Uttar Pradesh.
Special language provisions apply in certain states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland. Candidates applying in these states should check the specific language provisions in the official notification.
GDS Age Limit 2026 and Age Relaxation
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 40 years
Age is calculated as on the last date of submission of applications.
GDS Age Relaxation
| Category | Upper-age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| EWS | No relaxation |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years |
These relaxations are subject to the conditions and valid certificates prescribed in the notification.
Other Eligibility Requirements
Apart from education and age, candidates must also have:
- Knowledge of computers
- Knowledge of cycling
- Adequate means of livelihood
The notification specifically lists knowledge of computers, cycling and adequate means of livelihood as additional qualifications.
Selected candidates must also submit the prescribed undertakings relating to computer literacy, cycling/two-wheeler ability and having another source of income.
The India Post GDS Salary 2026: BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak
GDS personnel are paid emoluments in the form of Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), rather than the conventional salary structure applicable to regular Central Government employees.
The basic TRCA slabs specified in the notification are:
| Post | Basic TRCA Slab |
|---|---|
| BPM | ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 |
| ABPM | ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 |
| Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 |
The TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to applicable conditions. GDS personnel are also entitled to Dearness Allowance on TRCA and certain other allowances and social-security benefits as provided under the GDS Rules.
The BPM Salary 2026
The BPM post comes under a TRCA slab of ₹12,000 to ₹29,380. BPMs are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the local Branch Post Office and related postal services.
Their duties can include postal operations, mail conveyance and delivery, marketing and promotion of postal products and services, customer service activities and India Post Payments Bank-related work.
Selected BPMs are required to arrange accommodation for running the Branch Post Office at their own cost and must reside in the post village, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.
ABPM Salary 2026
The ABPM post falls under the TRCA slab of ₹10,000 to ₹24,470.
ABPM duties include selling stamps and stationery, mail delivery, assisting the BPM, handling certain IPPB transactions, marketing and promotion of postal products and services, and other duties assigned by the Department.
ABPMs are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office (Branch Office).
Dak Sevak Salary 2026
The Dak Sevak post is also covered under the ₹10,000–₹24,470 TRCA slab.
Dak Sevaks may work in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices, Delivery Centres or other offices of the Department.
Their duties can include handling mail and parcels, mail delivery, postal transactions, handling mail bags and assisting in the functioning of Post Offices.
Is GDS a Regular Government Job?
Importantly, GDS personnel are not regular Central Government employees. They are holders of Civil Posts outside the regular civil services and their service conditions are governed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, as revised from time to time.
According to the notification, GDS personnel are generally required to work for a minimum of four hours and a maximum of five hours a day. They must also have another source of income besides the allowances paid by the Government for adequate means of livelihood for themselves and their family.
GDS Without Exam Recruitment 2026 – The GDS Selection Process
One of the biggest attractions of the GDS Without Exam Recruitment 2026 is that selection is based on a system-generated merit list rather than a conventional written examination.
The merit list is prepared using marks obtained in the Class 10 Secondary School Examination, with grades/points converted according to the rules wherever applicable. The percentage is calculated to four decimal places.
For candidates whose marksheets contain only grades, the notification provides a conversion method using the prescribed multiplication factor. Where a CGPA is provided, marks are calculated by multiplying the CGPA by 9.5, subject to the rules specified in the notification.
Thus, the GDS Selection Criteria 2026 primarily depends on Class 10 academic performance.
The India Post GDS Merit List 2026 and Cut Off
The GDS Merit List 2026 will be published through the GDS Online Engagement Portal and generated based on the applicable merit calculation.
In case of a tie among candidates, the Department has prescribed a priority order involving factors such as date of birth, category and gender.
A separate fixed cut-off cannot be stated in advance because actual shortlisting depends on factors including the applicants, available vacancies, category and post/division preferences.
India Post GDS Apply Online 2026: Step-by-Step Process
Candidates applying for India Post GDS must first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR).
Step 1: Complete GDS Registration 2026
Visit the official GDS engagement portal: India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal.
Candidates need an active mobile number and email ID, both of which are used for communication and verification. A registration number is generated after successful registration.
Important: Only one registration is permitted per candidate. Multiple or duplicate registrations are strictly prohibited.
Step 2: Log In and Fill the GDS Application Form 2026
Use the registration number and password received through SMS to log in. Fill in the personal, educational and other required information.
You will have to enter your name, father’s/mother’s name and date of birth exactly as recorded in your Class 10 certificate.
Step 3: Select Circle, Division and Post Preferences
The candidate selects an eligible Division. Available posts are displayed based on eligibility conditions, after which the applicant must provide post preferences.
Importantly, an applicant can select posts only within one Division.
If an applicant selects multiple posts in the same Division and is shortlisted for more than one post, only the post offered according to the applicable preference order will be offered for engagement, and the candidature for the remaining posts will be forfeited.
Step 4: Upload Photograph and Signature
The photograph and signature must be uploaded in the prescribed JPG/JPEG format and specifications.
Photograph
- File format: JPG/JPEG
- File size: 30 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended dimensions: 320 × 400 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- DPI: 72 to 150
- Background: Plain white or light-coloured
The face should occupy approximately 70–80% of the image and should be clearly visible without shadows or red-eye.
Signature
- File format: JPG/JPEG
- File size: 20 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended dimensions: 300 × 120 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 5:2
- DPI: 72 to 150
- Background: Plain white
The signature should be scanned clearly and should not be typed or digitally created. Applications with blurred or unclear photographs/signatures may be rejected.
Step 5: Preview and Submit
Before final submission, carefully check all the information entered in the application form. Once the application is finally submitted, changes can only be made during the designated correction window.
GDS Application Fee 2026
The GDS Application Fee 2026 is ₹100 for candidates who are required to pay the fee.
The following candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee:
- Female candidates
- SC candidates
- ST candidates
- PwBD candidates
- Transwomen candidates
The fee can be paid online through recognized credit/debit cards, net banking or UPI. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable.
Candidates who are required to pay the fee must complete the application submission and successful fee payment by 21 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Documents Required for GDS Recruitment
Documents do not generally have to be attached with the initial application, apart from the required photograph and signature. However, shortlisted candidates must produce original documents during physical verification.
These may include:
- Class 10 marksheet
- Identity proof
- Date of birth proof
- Caste certificate, where applicable
- EWS certificate, where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Transgender certificate, where applicable
- Government medical certificate
- Required local-language/dialect certificate in applicable states
The Department may also verify Class 10 marksheets through DigiLocker/API Setu where the relevant documents are available online.
GDS Correction Window 2026
The GDS Correction Window 2026 will be open from 23 to 24 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
Candidates who successfully submitted their applications can modify permitted details during this period. However, the mobile number and email ID cannot be changed.
Once the modified application is resubmitted, no further correction will be permitted.
If a candidate starts modifying the application during the correction window but does not complete and finally submit the modified application within the prescribed timeline, those modifications will be treated as null and void, and merit will be decided based on the previously submitted application.
Final Selection and Document Verification
After the GDS Selection Process 2026, shortlisted candidates will be informed through SMS and email. Candidates are also advised to check the official GDS portal regularly for updates.
Shortlisted candidates must report for physical document verification within the stipulated period. According to the notification, candidates are required to report to the designated authority within 15 days from the date of shortlisting.
Failure to report within the required period can result in cancellation of candidature.
After successful verification, the Department issues an offer of provisional engagement, followed by completion of pre-engagement formalities and training.
Selected candidates are required to complete the pre-engagement formalities for joining within the stipulated period, which includes prescribed basic training and, where applicable, arrangement of accommodation.
FAQs – India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
1. What is the qualification for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
Ans: Candidates must have passed Class 10 with passing marks in Mathematics and English. They must also have studied the prescribed local language at least up to Class 10 for the relevant Circle. The age limit is 18 to 40 years, with applicable relaxations as per the rules.
2. What is the application fee for GDS Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The application fee is ₹100 for candidates who are required to pay the fee. Female, SC, ST, PwBD and Transwomen candidates are exempted from the application fee.
3. Is previous work experience required for GDS Recruitment 2026?
Ans: No. The notification specifically states that past experience or service of any kind will not be considered for selection.
4. Is there a written exam for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
Ans: No conventional written examination is conducted. Candidates are shortlisted through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks or the applicable conversion of grades/points.
5. What is the age limit for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 40 years. Applicable relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories as specified in the notification.
6. Can I apply for GDS posts in multiple Divisions?
Ans: No. An applicant can apply for vacant GDS posts in only one selected Division. Eligible posts within that Division can then be selected according to the candidate’s preferences.
7. What is the India Post GDS salary in 2026?
Ans: GDS personnel are paid through TRCA. The basic TRCA slab is ₹12,000–₹29,380 for BPM and ₹10,000–₹24,470 for ABPM/Dak Sevak.
8. Are GDS employees regular Central Government employees?
Ans: No. GDS personnel are not regular Central Government employees. They are holders of Civil Posts outside the regular civil services and are governed by the GDS Rules.
9. What is the last date to register for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The last date for One-Time Registration is 19 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
10. What is the last date to submit the GDS application form?
Ans: The last date for submission of the online application and applicable fee payment is 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
11. When is the GDS correction window?
Ans: The correction window is scheduled for 23–24 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
12. What documents are required during GDS document verification?
Ans: Shortlisted candidates must produce original documents such as the Class 10 marksheet, identity proof, date of birth proof, applicable caste/EWS/PwBD/transgender certificates, government medical certificate and applicable local-language/dialect certificate.
Conclusion
The India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 provides an opportunity for Class 10-qualified candidates seeking engagement with India Post. With 23,757 vacancies, merit-based selection and no conventional written examination, candidates should carefully check their eligibility before applying.
Complete your GDS registration by 19 September 2026 and submit the online application and applicable fee by 21 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Before final submission, carefully check your local language eligibility, Class 10 marks, Division vacancies, post preferences and all other details entered in the application form.
Official India Post GDS Portal: Check here! And explore more latest government job opportunities, notifications, eligibility details, and application updates on CampusToDrive.