India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification for eligible candidates. The recruitment covers the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak in different offices of the Department of Posts.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview
The official notification is Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026. Applications are to be submitted online through the official India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal. The notification states that the tentative vacant posts for each Circle/Division are given through Annexure-I / the GDS portal.
| Recruitment Authority | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications |
| Recruitment Name | India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 |
| Engagement Schedule | GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 |
| Notification Number | 17-12/2026-GDS |
| Notification Date | 20 August 2026 |
| Posts | BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak |
| Vacancy | Division-wise vacancies available on official portal |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Qualification | 10th Pass |
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| Maximum Age | 40 Years |
| Selection Process | System-generated Merit List |
| Merit Basis | Class 10th marks |
| Written Examination | No |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
| Official Website | indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement |
The One-Time Registration (OTR) process will begin on 31 August 2026, while online application submission and fee payment will start from 2 September 2026. The last date to submit the application is 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. Candidates will also get an edit/correction facility from 23 September to 24 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
India Post GDS Notification 2026
India Post has issued the official GDS Online Engagement Notification, Schedule-II, July-2026 under Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS.
GDS Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF Download Link
Through this recruitment, eligible candidates can apply for GDS posts including:
- Branch Postmaster (BPM)
- Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
- Dak Sevak
The Department has stated that applications will be accepted only through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal. Applications submitted through any other mode will not be entertained.
India Post GDS Vacancy 2026
The India Post GDS Schedule-II, July-2026 recruitment contains vacancies for different postal offices and divisions.
The notification states that the tentative vacant posts in each Circle/Division are provided in Annexure-I, while the Division-wise vacancy position is available on the official GDS portal. Therefore, candidates should check the official portal for the latest vacancy details before selecting their preferred Division and posts.
Is 25,000+ or 28,000+ Vacancy Confirmed?
No consolidated 25,000+ or 28,000+ vacancy figure should be published as confirmed unless it is shown in the official vacancy list.
The official notification itself does not mention a single total vacancy number. It provides the vacancy structure on a Division-wise basis.
Therefore, candidates should check the official portal for the actual available posts.
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India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| One-Time Registration Starts | 31 August 2026 |
| One-Time Registration Last Date | 19 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM |
| Online Application Starts | 2 September 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM |
| Edit/Correction Window | 23 September to 24 September 2026 |
| Correction Last Date | 24 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM |
The above dates are directly mentioned in the official notification.
India Post GDS Posts 2026
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
The BPM is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Branch Post Office and related India Post Payments Bank services.
In a single-handed Branch Post Office, the BPM has overall responsibility for smooth functioning, including mail conveyance and delivery. BPMs may also be assigned marketing, customer-service and other postal duties.
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 Post Office is functioning.
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
The ABPM assists the BPM in postal operations.
The duties can include:
- Sale of stamps and stationery
- Mail conveyance and delivery
- IPPB deposits and payments
- Assisting in postal operations
- Marketing and promotion of postal products and services
- Other duties assigned by senior postal officers
ABPMs are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Branch Post Office.
Dak Sevak
Dak Sevaks may work in:
- Post Offices
- Sorting Offices
- Mail Offices
- Transit Mail Offices
- Delivery Centres
- Other offices of the Department of Posts
Their duties may include handling mail and parcels, delivery of mail, sale of stamps and stationery, IPPB transactions and assistance in the functioning of Post Offices.
India Post GDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfil the educational, age and other eligibility conditions mentioned in the official notification.
Educational Qualification
The candidate must have passed the Secondary School Examination (10th standard) from a recognised Board of School Education recognised by the Government of India, State Government or Union Territory.
The candidate must have passed Mathematics and English in the 10th standard.
The notification specifically states that candidates having an equivalent qualification from another board are not eligible for GDS engagement under these conditions.
Local Language Requirement
The candidate must have studied the prescribed local language at least up to 10th standard from a recognised board.
The post-wise local language details are provided in Annexure-III of the notification.
Special local-language provisions are applicable to certain states, including:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Goa
- Sikkim
- Nagaland
Candidates applying in these states should carefully read the specific language requirements in the notification.
Other Qualifications
Candidates must also have:
- Knowledge of computers
- Knowledge of cycling
- Adequate means of livelihood
These requirements are specifically mentioned under the notification’s “Other Qualifications” section.
India Post GDS Age Limit 2026
The age limit for all GDS posts is:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 40 years
The age is calculated as on the last date of submission of applications.
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 |
The above relaxations are given in the official notification.
India Post GDS Selection Process 2026
There is no conventional written examination for this GDS engagement.
Candidates will be shortlisted through a system-generated merit list.
The merit list is prepared using the marks obtained in the Secondary School Examination (10th standard) of recognised Boards. The marks are aggregated into a percentage with accuracy up to four decimal places.
How GDS Merit List Is Prepared
If the Class 10th marksheet contains marks, the marks obtained are used for preparing merit.
Where a marksheet contains only grades/points, the Department’s prescribed conversion method is applied by the system.
For the prescribed grade-to-mark conversion, the notification specifies a 9.5 multiplication factor for the relevant grade points.
Candidates should enter their educational details exactly according to their Class 10th marksheet.
GDS Tie-Breaking Rule
If two or more candidates have the same merit percentage, the Department has prescribed a priority order beginning with Date of Birth, with the older candidate getting priority, followed by category and gender-related criteria as specified in the notification.
India Post GDS Document Verification 2026
Candidates shortlisted in the merit list will be called for physical verification of documents.
The shortlisted candidate has to report to the designated authority, generally the Divisional/Unit Head of the concerned Division/Unit, within the prescribed period.
The following documents may be required in original along with two sets of self-attested photocopies, as applicable:
- Class 10th Marksheet
- Identity Proof
- Caste Certificate
- PwBD Certificate
- EWS Certificate
- Transgender Certificate
- Date of Birth Proof
- Medical Certificate
- Required local/tribal language or dialect certificate, where applicable
The notification states that the medical certificate issued by a Government Hospital, Government Dispensary or Government Primary Health Centre is compulsory.
India Post GDS Joining Process 2026
After successful physical verification of documents, a system-generated Offer of Provisional Engagement is issued.
Candidates then have to complete the required pre-engagement formalities within the prescribed period.
These formalities include:
- Prescribed basic training of 3 days
- Arrangement of accommodation, wherever required
- Other joining formalities
The notification states that candidates are required to complete these formalities within 30 days from the date of the offer of provisional engagement.
India Post GDS Salary 2026
GDS employees are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA).
According to the official notification:
| Post | TRCA Slab |
| BPM | ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 |
| ABPM/Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 |
GDS TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to fulfilment of applicable conditions. GDS employees are also entitled to Dearness Allowance on TRCA as declared by the Government from time to time.
The notification also mentions other allowances and social-security benefits, including GDS Gratuity and Service Discharge Benefit Scheme, subject to applicable rules.
India Post GDS Application Fee 2026
The application fee is ₹100 for applicants who are required to pay the fee.
However, the application fee is exempted for:
- All Female applicants
- SC applicants
- ST applicants
- PwBD applicants
- Transwomen applicants
Eligible candidates can pay the fee using available online payment modes, including recognised Credit/Debit Cards, Net Banking and UPI.
The fee once paid is not refundable, so candidates should confirm their eligibility before making payment.
India Post GDS Apply Online 2026
Candidates must apply online through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal.
The application process consists of two major stages:
- One-Time Registration (OTR)
- Filling and submitting the Online Application
The candidate must use their own active mobile number and email ID. Important information regarding shortlisting and provisional engagement is communicated through the registered mobile number and email ID, although candidates are also advised to regularly visit the official portal.
How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
- Step 1: Visit the official India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal.
- Step 2: Complete One-Time Registration from 31 August 2026.
- Step 3: Enter your active mobile number and email ID and complete OTP verification.
- Step 4: Enter the required Class 10th Board and year-of-passing details.
- Step 5: Generate your unique Registration Number.
- Step 6: Log in and complete the online application from 2 September 2026.
- Step 7: Enter your personal and educational details exactly as mentioned in your Class 10th marksheet.
- Step 8: Select one Division and then provide preferences for the eligible vacant posts displayed for that Division.
- Step 9: Upload your recent photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Step 10: Pay the ₹100 application fee if applicable.
- Step 11: Carefully check the complete application.
- Step 12: Submit the application before 21 September 2026, 5:00 PM.
- Step 13: Save the final application details for future reference.
The official notification states that only one registration is permitted per candidate and duplicate/multiple registrations are strictly prohibited.
India Post GDS Correction Window 2026
Candidates who make a mistake during registration or application submission will get an edit/correction window.
- Correction Dates: 23 September 2026 to 24 September 2026
- Correction Last Time: 5:00 PM on 24 September 2026.
Candidates should carefully check all details before final submission because incorrect information or documents can result in rejection.
Documents Required for GDS Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- Class 10th marksheet
- Identity proof
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- EWS certificate, if applicable
- Transgender certificate, if applicable
- Date of birth proof
- Government medical certificate
- Required local/tribal language certificate, where applicable
Candidates should carry the original documents and the required self-attested photocopies at the time of physical verification.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
| OTR Registration | 31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026 |
| Online Application | 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Correction Window | 23 September to 24 September 2026 |
| Correction Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Official Website
Candidates should use only the official India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal for registration, application, vacancy details, merit lists and other recruitment updates.
Official GDS Portal:
https://www.indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement
Official Notification PDF:
https://www.indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement/pdf/descriptive-notification.pdf
FAQs – India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
When was the India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 notification released?
The official notification is Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026 for GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026.
When will India Post GDS registration start?
One-Time Registration will start on 31 August 2026.
What is the last date for GDS registration?
The last date for One-Time Registration is 19 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
When will GDS online application start?
Online application submission will start on 2 September 2026.
What is the last date to apply for India Post GDS 2026?
The last date is 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.
Is there any written exam for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
No conventional written examination is conducted. Candidates are shortlisted through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10th marks.