India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: 23,757 BPM, ABPM & Dak Sevak Vacancies, Eligibility, Last Date & Apply Online

Introduction to India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

Department of Posts (India Post), Ministry of Communications, Government of India has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification for engagement of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak posts across postal Circles and Divisions in India.

The recruitment is being conducted under Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026. A total of 23,757 tentative vacancies have been reported for the Schedule-II engagement cycle. One-Time Registration starts from 31 August 2026, while submission of online applications and fee payment runs from 2 September to 21 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM.

This recruitment is particularly important for candidates looking for a 10th-pass opportunity without a competitive written examination. Shortlisting is based on a system-generated merit list prepared from Class 10 marks, followed by physical verification of original documents and prescribed pre-engagement formalities.

Candidates should regularly check the latest govt jobs notifications for India Post GDS merit lists, supplementary shortlists and document verification updates.

Department of Posts (India Post) Overview

The Department of Posts functions under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, and operates India's nationwide postal network. Gramin Dak Sevaks are engaged primarily to support postal services in rural and semi-rural areas through Branch Post Offices, Post Offices, mail offices, sorting facilities, delivery centres and related establishments.

Applicants should note an important service condition: GDS are not regular employees of the Department/Central Government, and their emoluments, allowances and engagement conditions are governed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules. GDS posts are Civil Posts outside the regular Civil Services of the Union of India.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Overview

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 At a Glance

Recruitment insight: Unlike most large government recruitment drives, India Post GDS engagement does not involve a written competitive examination. Since shortlisting depends primarily on Class 10 academic performance, accurate entry of marks/grades and selection of eligible Division/post preferences are especially important.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should complete the application and applicable fee payment before the closing time. The official notification specifies that applications or fee payments remaining incomplete after 5:00 PM on the closing date will not be accepted.

India Post GDS Vacancy 2026 Circle-Wise Details

A total of 23,757 tentative GDS vacancies have been reported across the postal Circles. The vacancies cover BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak engagement and are distributed across UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS and eligible PwBD categories.

The Circle totals may include separate entries for different prescribed local languages within the same Circle. Candidates should therefore check the Division-wise and post-wise vacancy details displayed on the official GDS Online Engagement Portal before choosing preferences.

India Post GDS Category-Wise Vacancy Summary

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Post Details and Job Profile

Branch Postmaster (BPM)

The Branch Postmaster is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a Branch Post Office and India Post Payments Bank in the prescribed manner. Duties can include marketing and promotion of departmental products and services, customer-service activities, mail conveyance, mail delivery and overall management of a single-handed Branch Post Office.

A candidate selected as BPM must arrange accommodation for running the Branch Post Office at his/her own cost and must reside in the village where the Branch Post Office is located.

Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)

ABPM duties include sale of stamps and stationery, conveyance and delivery of mail at the doorstep, exchange of mail, account-office work, IPPB deposits/payments and assisting the BPM in postal operations. An ABPM may also be required to perform combined BPM duties when ordered or when the BPM is unavailable.

ABPM candidates must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.

Dak Sevak

Dak Sevaks may be engaged in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices, Delivery Centres or other Department offices. Duties can include handling mail, mail bags and parcels, transhipment, delivery duties, sale of stamps and stationery, IPPB transactions and assisting Postmasters/Sub-Postmasters in office functions.

Dak Sevaks are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

The minimum educational qualification is a Secondary School Examination (SSE) / 10th standard pass certificate with passing marks in Mathematics and English from a Board recognized by the Government of India, State Government or Union Territory administration.

Candidates possessing an equivalent qualification from a board that does not satisfy the prescribed recognition requirement are not eligible merely on the basis of equivalence.

Local Language Requirement

The applicant must have studied the prescribed local language of the post at least up to the 10th standard from a recognized board. The exact language is linked to the Circle, State/UT and post vacancy selected by the applicant.

India Post GDS Circle-Wise Local Language Requirement

The notification contains special local-language provisions for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland. Candidates applying in these areas should read the relevant language conditions in the official notification before selecting a post.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Age Limit

The minimum and maximum age limits for India Post GDS engagement are:

India Post GDS Age Relaxation 2026

Reservation and age-relaxation benefits can be claimed only when the candidate possesses the prescribed valid supporting certificate.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Application Fee

The application fee is Rs 100 for applicants who are required to pay the fee. The fee applies to all posts notified in the applicant's choice of Division.

Fee payment can be made online using recognized Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking or UPI. Applicable usage charges may be levied by the payment service provider.

Fee once paid is non-refundable. Candidates should therefore confirm their eligibility for the selected Division/posts before making payment.

India Post GDS Salary 2026 - TRCA Details

GDS are paid emoluments in the form of Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA). The notification provides the following initial TRCA slabs:

The notification states that TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions. GDS are also entitled to Dearness Allowance on TRCA as declared by the Government from time to time and may receive other benefits admissible under the applicable GDS Rules.

Important: GDS are not regular Central Government employees. Therefore, the above figures should be described as TRCA/emoluments rather than a regular Central Government pay-scale salary.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Selection Process

There is no written examination for India Post GDS Schedule-II engagement. Candidates are shortlisted through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 academic performance.

• Merit is prepared from marks obtained or marks converted from grades/points in Class 10.
• The percentage is calculated up to four decimal places.
• Where the marksheet contains both marks and grades, applicants must enter the marks exactly as shown.
• Where only grades are available, marks are calculated using the prescribed grade-point method and a multiplication factor of 9.5.
• Where CGPA is provided, the notification prescribes conversion using the applicable 9.5 factor.
• Applicants must enter Class 10 information exactly as shown on the marksheet.
• Incorrect entry of marks/grades or other material information can result in cancellation of candidature.
• Ties in merit are resolved according to the priority criteria prescribed in the official notification.

India Post GDS Selection Stages

Online Application → System-Generated Merit List → Shortlisting → Physical Document Verification → Provisional Engagement → Pre-Engagement Formalities → Final Engagement

Past experience or previous service is not awarded additional merit for selection.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Document Verification

Shortlisted candidates are required to report to the designated Engaging Authority for physical verification of original documents. The documents prescribed in the notification include, as applicable:

• Class 10 / Secondary School Examination marksheet and certificate.
• Identity proof.
• Proof of Date of Birth.
• SC / ST / OBC certificate.
• EWS certificate.
• PwBD certificate.
• Transgender certificate, where applicable.
• Medical certificate issued by the prescribed Government medical authority.
• Certificate relating to local/tribal language proficiency for locations where specially prescribed.
• Other certificates or undertakings required under the notification.

Candidates whose original documents do not support the information entered in the online application can have their candidature cancelled.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Documents Required While Applying

The official notification specifically states that candidates are not required to upload supporting certificates/documents with the initial online application. They are required to upload their recent photograph and signature in the prescribed format.

Photograph Specifications

• Format: JPG / JPEG
• File Size: 30 KB to 100 KB
• Recommended Dimensions: 320 × 400 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:5
• Photograph should be recent, clear, well-lit and properly focused.

Signature Specifications

• Format: JPG / JPEG
• File Size: 20 KB to 100 KB
• Recommended Dimensions: 300 × 120 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 5:2
• Signature should be written on white paper with a black or blue pen.

Applications containing blurred photographs or blurred/miniature signatures are liable to be rejected.

India Post GDS One-Time Registration 2026

The online process begins with One-Time Registration (OTR). Only one registration is permitted per candidate. Multiple or duplicate registrations/applications are prohibited and can result in removal from the selection process.

For registration, candidates should keep the following ready:

• Active mobile number for OTP verification.
• Active email ID for OTP verification.
• Personal details.
• Class 10 Board details.
• Year of passing the Matriculation / Class 10 examination.

After successful registration, a unique Registration Number is generated. The candidate uses this Registration Number and password to proceed with the online application.

The registered mobile number and email ID cannot be changed after registration as prescribed in the notification.

How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official GDS Online Engagement Portal at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement.
2. Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process if you have not already registered.
3. Verify your mobile number and email ID through OTP.
4. Obtain the unique Registration Number and login password.
5. Login to the portal and open the relevant Schedule-II, July-2026 active notification.
6. Fill in the required personal and Class 10 educational details.
7. Select the Circle/Division and eligible GDS post preferences.
8. Upload the recent photograph and signature in the prescribed specifications.
9. Preview the entire application carefully before final submission.
10. Pay the Rs 100 application fee online if you are not covered by a fee exemption.
11. Submit the application no later than 21 September 2026, 5:00 PM.
12. Save/print the submitted application details for future reference.

Applicants can use the notified edit/correction window from 23 September to 24 September 2026 for permitted corrections.

India Post GDS Division and Post Preference Rules

An applicant may apply for one or more vacant GDS posts only in one selected Division. After selecting a Division, the portal displays eligible posts based on factors such as community/category, age, PwBD status and prescribed local language.

The candidate must indicate preferences for the posts for which he/she wants to be considered. If a candidate is found meritorious for more than one preferred post, only the post highest in the candidate's preference order will be offered and candidature for the remaining posts will be forfeited.

Where more than one vacancy of the same post name exists in an office, each vacancy is identified through a unique Post ID. Candidates wishing to be considered for multiple such vacancies should give preference for each applicable Post ID.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Correction Window

A two-day edit/correction window is provided after the normal application-submission period. Candidates may make permitted modifications to their registration/application during 23-24 September 2026.

If a modification changes the candidate's fee liability, the applicable fee must be paid during the correction window. A fee already paid during the original application is not refunded merely because edited information later makes the candidate fee-exempt.

Once the edited application is finally resubmitted, no further correction is permitted.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Important Service Conditions

• GDS are not regular Central Government employees.
• They are holders of Civil Posts outside the regular Civil Services of the Union of India.
• GDS generally work for a minimum of four hours and a maximum of five hours per day under the applicable rules.
• A GDS cannot ordinarily be retained beyond the prescribed maximum engagement age of 65 years.
• A candidate selected as GDS should have another source of income besides the allowances paid by the Department for supporting himself/herself and the family.
• BPM candidates must arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office at their own cost.
• BPM candidates must reside in the post village.
• ABPM and Dak Sevak candidates must reside within the prescribed delivery jurisdiction.
• Selected candidates cannot engage in outside activity that is detrimental to the business or interest of the Post Office / IPPB.
• Past experience or service does not provide selection preference.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Important Application Instructions

• Only one registration per candidate is allowed.
• Duplicate registration by altering basic details can lead to cancellation of all applications.
• Name, Date of Birth, Father's name and Mother's name should be entered exactly as recorded in the Class 10 certificate.
• The applicant should carefully select Division and post preferences.
• Only photograph and signature are uploaded with the application; original certificates are checked later.
• Candidates should verify all entries through the Preview option before final submission.
• Applications with incomplete data can be rejected.
• Blurred or illegible photographs/signatures can lead to rejection.
• The Department does not make phone calls asking applicants for personal information.
• Candidates should rely on the official portal for application and selection updates.

What Happens After India Post GDS Application 2026?

After the application period closes, India Post prepares the system-generated merit list from the eligible candidates' Class 10 marks. Shortlisted candidates are informed through the official portal and may also receive communication through their registered mobile number/email.

The broad process is:

Application → Merit List → Shortlisting → Physical Verification of Original Documents → Offer of Provisional Engagement → Pre-Engagement Formalities → Engagement

Candidates should keep all original educational, identity and reservation documents ready instead of waiting for the document-verification notice.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Important Links

For updates regarding GDS merit lists, supplementary shortlists, document verification and further engagement formalities, candidates should keep checking the official India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal.

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