The Department of Posts operates a two-tiered closing schedule for this recruitment drive. One-Time Registration (OTR) closes on 19 September 2026 at 17:00 Hours (5:00 PM). Registered candidates can complete final application form submission and fee remittance until 21 September 2026 at 17:00 Hours (5:00 PM). The edit and correction window will remain operational on 23 and 24 September 2026.
1. India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) 2026: Recruitment Overview
The Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has notified 23,757 vacancies for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement under Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS. This nationwide engagement covers three primary designations across 23 postal circles: Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak.
Selection is conducted entirely through an automated, system-generated merit list based on marks and grades obtained in the Class 10 (Secondary School Examination). There is no written examination, computer test, or viva-voce interview. Candidates who have passed Class 10 with Mathematics and English from a recognized board, and who have studied the local language of the respective postal circle up to matriculation level, are eligible to apply.
Department of Posts (India Post)
GDS Schedule-II, July-2026
23,757 Posts (Across 23 Circles)
10th Class Merit (No Exam)
2. Official Timeline & Important Dates
The online engagement cycle strictly adheres to the administrative schedule prescribed by the Department of Posts:
| Engagement Event | Official Date & Timing | Administrative Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | 20 August 2026 | Notice No. 17-12/2026-GDS issued |
| One-Time Registration (OTR) Start Date | 31 August 2026 | Online portal opens for new profile generation |
| One-Time Registration (OTR) Last Date | 19 September 2026 (17:00 Hours) | New registrations close strictly at 5:00 PM |
| Application Submission & Fee Payment Window | 02 September to 21 September 2026 | For candidates with active registration |
| Final Application Submission Deadline | 21 September 2026 (17:00 Hours) | Portal closes for post preference submission |
| Application Correction / Edit Window | 23 to 24 September 2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs) | 2-day correction facility for eligible fields |
| First Merit List Announcement | October 2026 (To be notified) | Circle-wise PDF merit lists published on portal |
3. GDS Post Roles & Time-Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA)
Gramin Dak Sevaks are extra-departmental employees engaged under the Department of Posts Gramin Dak Sevak (Conduct and Engagement) Rules. Remuneration is paid on a Time-Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) matrix rather than regular 7th CPC central government pay scales:
| Designation / Post | Minimum TRCA Slab (Monthly) | Primary Operational Duties |
|---|---|---|
| Branch Postmaster (BPM) | ₹ 12,000 – ₹ 29,380 | Managing Branch Post Office operations, IPPB services, postal life insurance (PLI/RPLI), daily cash accounts, and public relations within the village jurisdiction. |
| Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) | ₹ 10,000 – ₹ 24,470 | Assisting the BPM in branch work, sale of stamps, letter conveyancing, mail collection, and door-to-door financial transactions under IPPB. |
| Dak Sevak | ₹ 10,000 – ₹ 24,470 | Delivery of mail, parcels, money orders, handling bag opening/closing at Sub Post Offices (SO) or Head Post Offices (HO), and designated sorting duties. |
Gramin Dak Sevaks receive Dearness Allowance on TRCA as determined by the department from time to time. Under Rule 3-A of GDS Conduct Rules, candidates must possess alternative means of livelihood to support themselves and their families; engagement cannot be treated as a sole full-time civil employment.
4. Category-Wise Vacancy Breakup (23,757 Total Posts)
The 23,757 vacancies across India are distributed among vertical and horizontal reservation categories as outlined in the official notification:
| Reservation Category | Notified Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (General / UR) | 10,640 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 4,433 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 3,082 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 2,773 |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 2,160 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities — Category A (PwD-A) | 192 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities — Category B (PwD-B) | 227 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities — Category C (PwD-C) | 178 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities — Category DE (PwD-DE) | 72 |
| Total Across All Categories | 23,757 |
5. Postal Circle-Wise Vacancies & Mandatory Local Language Matrix
A candidate is eligible to apply for posts in a particular postal circle only if they have studied the prescribed official local language of that state up to at least Class 10:
| Postal Circle / State | Prescribed Local Language(s) | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi | 1,691 |
| Bihar | Hindi | 1,098 |
| Delhi | Hindi | 16 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | 1,450 |
| Rajasthan | Hindi | 1,009 |
| Haryana | Hindi | 87 |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi | 452 |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi | 762 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi | 335 |
| Jharkhand | Hindi | 1,379 |
| Odisha | Odia | 1,353 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | 499 |
| Karnataka | Kannada | 1,116 |
| Kerala | Malayalam | 1,373 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu | 917 |
| Telangana | Telugu | 419 |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 2,118 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi / Konkani | 2,431 |
| Punjab | Punjabi / Hindi / English | 122 |
| Assam | Assamese / Bengali / Bodo / Hindi / English | 414 |
| West Bengal | Bengali / Hindi / English / Nepali | 1,762 |
| North Eastern | Bengali / Hindi / English / Manipuri / Mizo | 2,614 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Hindi / Urdu | 340 |
| Total All India Circle Vacancies | 23,757 | |
6. Eligibility Criteria & Mandatory Conditions
A. Educational Qualification
- Secondary School Examination (Class 10): Candidates must have passed Class 10 from any recognized Board of School Education in India.
- Compulsory Subjects: Passing marks in Mathematics and English are mandatory. Applications with compartment or failure in either subject will be rejected.
- Local Language Requirement: The applicant must have studied the prescribed official local language of the applied postal circle up to at least Class 10 (as a compulsory or elective subject).
- Basic Computer Training: Possession of a basic computer training certificate of minimum 60 days duration from a recognized computer training institute. Candidates who studied computer as a subject in Class 10, Class 12, or higher qualifications are exempt from separate certification.
- Knowledge of Cycling: Knowledge of cycling is a prerequisite for all GDS posts. If a candidate knows how to ride a motorcycle or scooter, that is considered sufficient compliance.
B. Age Limit & Cut-Off Date
The minimum age limit is 18 years and the maximum age limit is 40 years. The critical date for determining the age limit is the closing date of application submission, 21 September 2026.
| Category | Permissible Age Relaxation | Maximum Applicable Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 5 Years | 45 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | 43 Years |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | No Relaxation | 40 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years | 50 Years |
| PwBD + OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 13 Years | 53 Years |
| PwBD + SC / ST | 15 Years | 55 Years |
7. Selection Methodology & 10th Marks Merit Formula
The selection process is 100% automated and transparent. Review the key rules governing merit calculation:
- Automated System Ranking: The software generates a merit list based on aggregate percentage scored in Class 10 across all compulsory subjects, calculated up to 4 decimal places.
- Grade Points Conversion: For educational boards that award letter grades (like CBSE), candidates must enter grade points. Marks are converted to equivalent percentages using the board’s multiplier (e.g., Grade Point × 9.5). Entering incorrect CGPA calculations causes cancellation of candidature during document verification.
- No Extra Weightage for Higher Degrees: Having a 10+2, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree confers zero advantage or bonus marks. Selection is strictly determined by Class 10 marks only.
- Tie-Breaking Criteria: In case of identical aggregate marks between two or more applicants for a specific post preference, resolution is determined in the following order: (1) Older candidate based on Date of Birth gets priority, (2) Female / Transwoman candidate gets preference, (3) PwBD candidate gets preference.
8. Application Fee & Payment Options
The application fee structure is standardized across all postal circles:
- General / OBC / EWS Male Candidates: ₹ 100 per set of up to 5 post preferences.
- Female Candidates (All Categories): ₹ 0 (Exempt).
- SC / ST Candidates: ₹ 0 (Exempt).
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) & Transwomen: ₹ 0 (Exempt).
Payment Modes: The fee is payable online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, or UPI gateway integrated into the official portal. Offline fee collection (challan or cash) is not supported.
9. Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online for India Post GDS 2026
Applicants must complete registration before the 19 September deadline and submit preferences by 21 September:
-
Step 1: One-Time Registration (OTR): Visit
indiapostgdsonline.gov.inand click on “Registration”. Enter your active mobile number and email ID; validate each using OTP. Input your father’s name, DOB, gender, community, and Class 10 passing state. - Step 2: Upload Documents: Upload a clear passport-size color photograph (20 KB to 50 KB in JPG format) and signature (10 KB to 20 KB in JPG format). Submit to generate your unique 10-digit Registration Number.
- Step 3: Fee Remittance: For candidates required to pay, click on the “Fee Payment” tab, enter your Registration Number, and pay ₹100 through the online payment gateway.
- Step 4: Circle & Division Selection: Log in using your Registration Number, choose your preferred Postal Circle, enter academic marks/grades subject-wise, and select postal divisions.
- Step 5: Prioritize Post Preferences: Select Branch Post Office and post preferences (BPM, ABPM, Dak Sevak) in numbered order of preference. Exercise as many preferences as available in your selected division.
- Step 6: Final Submission & Print: Review all entered data carefully, submit the application, and save the final application form PDF for document verification.
10. Official Portal & Notification Links
| Resource Name | Official Link |
|---|---|
| India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in |
| Direct Online Candidate Registration Link | Register Online (Direct Link) |
| Download Official Descriptive Notification PDF | Download GDS PDF |
| Circle-Wise Notification Annexure PDF | Download Circle-Wise List |
| Department of Posts Official Website | indiapost.gov.in |
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The One-Time Registration (OTR) closes on 19 September 2026 at 17:00 Hours (5:00 PM). However, candidates who have registered can submit their application form and pay the fee until 21 September 2026 at 17:00 Hours (5:00 PM).
No. There is completely no written examination or viva-voce interview. Shortlisting is done 100% on the basis of a system-generated merit list compiled from Class 10 board marks, followed by document verification.
Branch Postmasters receive a monthly Time-Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) in the slab of ₹ 12,000 to ₹ 29,380, along with applicable Dearness Allowance. ABPMs and Dak Sevaks receive TRCA in the slab of ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 24,470.
No. A candidate can apply for posts in only one postal circle and one division within that circle. Multiple applications across different circles using duplicate profiles lead to rejection.
The 1st Merit List is typically published within 2 to 3 weeks after the correction window closes (expected in early October 2026). The list is released in circle-wise PDF format on the official portal.
Candidates must have basic computer knowledge. A certificate of at least 60 days duration from a recognized training institute is required during document verification, unless the candidate studied computer as a subject in Class 10 or higher.