India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: The Department of Posts has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification for engagement to the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak in various postal offices across India.
The notification, issued by the GDS Section of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, is dated 20 August 2026. Eligible candidates can apply online through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal.
Importantly, candidates should note that GDS engagement is not the same as regular Central Government employment. GDS employees are governed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, and their emoluments and entitlements are different from those of regular Central Government employees.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Highlights
| Particular | Details |
| Recruiting Department | Department of Posts, Government of India |
| Post Names | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Engagement | GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 |
| Notification No. | 17-12/2026-GDS |
| Notification Date | 20 August 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| One-Time Registration | 31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026 |
| Online Application | 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 |
| Last Time for Application | 5:00 PM |
| Correction Window | 23–24 September 2026 |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age | 40 years |
| Minimum Qualification | Class 10th pass |
| Selection Basis | System-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
| Official Portal | GDS Online Engagement Portal |
The registration, application and correction dates are specifically provided in the notification.
India Post GDS Vacancy 2026
The notification provides for vacancies for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) posts in different Circles and Divisions. The posts include:
- Branch Postmaster (BPM)
- Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
- Dak Sevak
The detailed vacancy position is to be viewed on the GDS Online Engagement Portal, where candidates can see vacancies according to Division, Office, Post ID, language, PIN code and other relevant details. The notification’s Annexure-I provides the format for the Division-wise vacancy position.
Therefore, candidates should check the live vacancy position on the official portal before selecting a Division and post preference rather than relying on unofficial vacancy figures.
Important Dates for GDS Recruitment 2026
The India Post GDS Schedule-II July-2026 application process will take place in three stages.
1. One-Time Registration
31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM
Candidates must first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process.
2. Online Application and Fee Payment
2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM
After registration, eligible candidates can submit the online application and pay the applicable fee.
3. Application Correction Window
23 September 2026 to 24 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM
A two-day correction window will be available after the closing date of the application process.
Candidates should not wait until the last day because the Department has specifically advised applicants to submit their forms well before the deadline to avoid problems caused by heavy website traffic or technical difficulties.
GDS Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 must have passed the Secondary School Examination (10th standard) from a recognised Board of School Education.
The candidate must have passing marks in:
- Mathematics
- English
The notification also requires candidates to have studied the prescribed local language at least up to Class 10. The local language varies according to the Postal Circle and the applicable area.
Local Language Requirement
Knowledge of the prescribed local language is an important eligibility condition.
For example, the notification specifies:
- West Bengal – Bengali
- Bihar – Hindi
- Jharkhand – Hindi
- Uttar Pradesh – Hindi
- Odisha – Odia
- Maharashtra – Marathi
- Karnataka – Kannada
- Tamil Nadu – Tamil
- Telangana – Telugu
- Kerala – Malayalam
Special language provisions apply to certain areas and States, including Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland.
Other Qualifications
Apart from the Class 10 qualification and local-language requirement, candidates are required to have:
- Knowledge of computers
- Knowledge of cycling
- Adequate means of livelihood
Selected candidates have to submit the prescribed undertakings relating to these requirements at the time of engagement.
GDS Age Limit 2026
The prescribed age limit is:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 40 years
The age is calculated 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 |
These relaxations are subject to the conditions and certificates prescribed in the notification.
India Post GDS Salary / TRCA 2026
GDS personnel are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) rather than the regular pay structure applicable to Central Government employees.
The basic TRCA slabs mentioned in the notification are:
| GDS Post | Basic TRCA Slab |
| BPM | ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 |
| ABPM/Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 |
The TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions. GDS personnel are also entitled to Dearness Allowance on TRCA as declared by the Government from time to time, along with certain other allowances and social-security benefits, including GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme.
Important: GDS Is Not a Regular Central Government Job
Candidates should carefully understand the nature of GDS engagement before applying.
The notification clearly states that GDS personnel:
- Are not regular employees of the Department/Central Government.
- Do not receive emoluments and entitlements at par with regular Central Government employees.
- Are governed by the GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020.
- Generally serve in rural areas.
- Work for a minimum of four hours and maximum of five hours a day under Rule 3A.
- Cannot be retained as a Sevak beyond 65 years.
- Are required to have another source of income for adequate livelihood.
BPM candidates also have to arrange accommodation for operating the Branch Post Office at their own cost and are required to reside in the post village.
This is an important point for applicants who may otherwise assume that GDS engagement carries the same service conditions as a regular Postal Assistant or other regular Central Government post.
GDS Job Profile
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
The BPM is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Branch Post Office and India Post Payments Bank-related operations.
The duties may include:
- Managing Branch Post Office operations
- Handling IPPB-related services
- Marketing postal products and services
- Customer service activities
- Mail conveyance and delivery
- Overall functioning of a single-handed Branch Office
- Performing ABPM duties when required
A selected BPM must arrange suitable accommodation for the Branch Post Office and reside in the post village.
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
The ABPM assists the BPM in postal operations.
The job may 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 Departmental products and services
- Performing combined BPM duties when required
ABPMs are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Branch Office.
Dak Sevak
Dak Sevaks may be engaged in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices, Delivery Centres and other offices.
Their duties can include:
- Sale of stamps and stationery
- Mail delivery
- Handling mail bags and parcels
- Transhipment of mail bags
- Delivery of parcels
- IPPB-related transactions
- Assistance in the smooth functioning of Post Offices
- 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 Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
The application fee is ₹100 for the notified posts in the selected Division.
However, the following candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee:
- All female applicants
- SC candidates
- ST candidates
- PwBD candidates
- Transwomen candidates
Eligible candidates can pay the fee through available online payment methods including credit/debit cards, net banking and UPI. The fee, once paid, is non-refundable.
How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
Applications must be submitted online only through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal.
India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal
Step 1: Complete One-Time Registration
Candidates need an active:
- Mobile number
- Email ID
Both are verified through OTP. The same mobile number and email ID cannot subsequently be used for another applicant’s registration.
Step 2: Enter Personal Details
Candidates must carefully enter details such as:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Father’s/Guardian’s Name
- Mother’s Name
- Community and other required information
The details should match the Class 10 matriculation certificate. Incorrect information can result in cancellation of candidature.
Step 3: Fill Educational Details
Candidates must provide details of their Class 10 examination, including:
- Board
- Year of passing
- Marks/grades as applicable
Step 4: Select Division and Post Preferences
The portal will display eligible posts based on factors including:
- Community
- Age
- PwBD status
- Local language
- Available vacancies
Candidates must provide preferences for the posts they wish to be considered for.
Step 5: Upload Photograph and Signature
Candidates must upload their recent photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Photograph:
- JPG/JPEG
- 30 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended size: 320 × 400 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- Plain white or light-coloured background
Signature:
- JPG/JPEG
- 20 KB to 100 KB
- Recommended size: 300 × 120 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 5:2
- White background
Blurred or illegible photographs/signatures may result in rejection.
Step 6: Preview and Submit
Before final submission, candidates should carefully verify every detail entered in the application.
The Department specifically advises candidates to check the preview and ensure that all information, photograph and signature are correct before final submission.
GDS Selection Process 2026
The GDS selection process is based on a system-generated merit list.
There is no conventional written examination mentioned for shortlisting in this notification. The merit list is prepared using marks obtained in the Class 10 Secondary School Examination, with grades/points converted into marks according to the prescribed procedure. The percentage is calculated to an accuracy of four decimal places.
How Are Grades Converted?
Where candidates have only grades, the notification provides 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 available, the notification states that marks are calculated by multiplying CGPA by 9.5.
What Happens After GDS Shortlisting?
The shortlisted candidates will be informed through the GDS Online Engagement Portal and, where applicable, through SMS and email.
Shortlisted candidates have to report to the designated Divisional/Unit Head for physical verification of original documents within 15 days of shortlisting. Failure to report within the stipulated period can result in cancellation of candidature.
Candidates should carry the applicable original documents and two sets of self-attested photocopies, including:
- 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
- Government medical certificate
- Required local/tribal language certificate for applicable States
A medical certificate from an appropriate Government medical facility is compulsory.
Provisional Engagement and Joining
After successful physical verification, a system-generated Offer of Provisional Engagement is issued.
The selected candidate then has to complete the required pre-engagement formalities within 30 days, including prescribed basic training and, where applicable, arranging accommodation. Failure to complete the formalities within the stipulated period can result in cancellation of candidature.
GDS Application Correction Facility
The Department has provided a two-day correction window from 23 to 24 September 2026.
Candidates can correct permitted registration/application details during this period. However, after the correction window expires, no further correction request will be entertained through post, fax, email, by hand or any other mode.
Candidates should therefore use the correction facility carefully and check the final application before resubmission.
Important Points Candidates Must Remember
Before applying for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026, candidates should remember the following:
- Only one registration is permitted per candidate.
- Duplicate or multiple registrations can lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Name, father’s name, mother’s name and date of birth should match the Class 10 certificate.
- The prescribed local language requirement must be satisfied.
- GDS engagement is different from regular Central Government employment.
- BPM candidates have to arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office.
- GDS personnel are required to have another source of income.
- Selection is based on the system-generated Class 10 merit list.
- Candidates should carefully select their Division and post preferences.
- Blurred photographs or signatures can result in rejection.
- Candidates should maintain access to their registered mobile number and email ID.
- Candidates should regularly check the official GDS portal for updates.
Final Words
The India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Schedule-II, July-2026 provides an opportunity for eligible Class 10 pass candidates to seek engagement as BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak in the Department of Posts.
Since the selection is based primarily on Class 10 merit, candidates with strong secondary-school marks may have an advantage in the merit-based shortlisting process. However, applicants should carefully verify their eligibility, local-language requirement, Division-wise vacancy, documents and post preferences before submitting the form.
The most important dates are 31 August 2026 for the beginning of One-Time Registration, 21 September 2026 as the closing date for online applications and fee payment, and 23–24 September 2026 for corrections, with all closing times specified as 5:00 PM.
Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline and use only the official India Post GDS portal for registration and application.