Indian Post Office GDS Recruitment 2026 23,757 Posts

The Department of Posts has opened the latest Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) engagement cycle for candidates who have completed Class 10. Under the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026, a total of 23,757 tentative vacancies have been announced for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak positions.

The recruitment notification is identified as Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026. The online application facility is available from 2 September 2026 and the final date for submitting the application and applicable fee is 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM.

Applicants should first complete the mandatory One-Time Registration (OTR) on the India Post GDS portal. OTR is available until 19 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. Once registration is completed, candidates can proceed to the application stage.

23,757 GDS Vacancies Released Across Postal Circles

The current engagement cycle contains 23,757 tentative GDS vacancies. The vacancies are spread across Postal Circles and Divisions throughout India.

The vacancy annexure provides the distribution according to Circle, local language and reservation category. It does not provide a separate consolidated vacancy total for BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak; the published figure represents the overall GDS vacancy position.

Some of the larger vacancy counts in the current cycle include:

The complete vacancy position should be checked in the official annexure because the available positions differ by Circle, Division, category and prescribed local language.

Three GDS Roles Covered by This Cycle

The recruitment does not create a separate examination for each designation. The current engagement covers three GDS roles:

Branch Postmaster (BPM)

The BPM position is associated with the management and functioning of a Branch Post Office. The engagement carries the GDS service conditions and applicable TRCA structure.

Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)

An ABPM works in support of Branch Post Office activities and performs duties assigned under the GDS framework.

Dak Sevak

Dak Sevak positions form part of the Department of Posts' rural postal delivery and related operational network.

The vacancy annexure should be consulted for the actual Division-wise openings rather than assuming that every location has vacancies in all three categories.

Class 10 Qualification Is the Academic Base

The minimum educational qualification is the Secondary School Examination (Class 10) from a recognised board.

The candidate must have passed Class 10 with passing marks in:

• Mathematics

• English

In addition, the applicant must have studied the prescribed local language up to the 10th standard for the relevant Postal Circle or Division.

Because GDS engagement is linked to particular postal locations and local-language requirements, candidates should verify the language mentioned against the Division they select.

Age Window for GDS Applicants

The prescribed age range is 18 to 40 years. The upper-age calculation is made with reference to the last date for submitting the online application.

Applicants should calculate their age using the recruitment's prescribed reference date and category provisions rather than relying on an approximate age calculation.

GDS Is a Merit-Based Engagement

A major feature of this recruitment is the absence of a conventional competitive written examination.

For the GDS engagement, the merit list is prepared using the candidate's Class 10 Secondary School Examination performance. The selection procedure therefore places considerable importance on the marks or grades recorded in the qualifying examination.

Shortlisted candidates are subsequently required to undergo the prescribed document verification.

Salary Structure: TRCA Instead of a Regular Pay Scale

GDS personnel are not regular Central Government employees. Their remuneration is provided through the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) system along with applicable benefits under the GDS rules.

The TRCA structure includes an annual increase of 3%, subject to the conditions applicable under the GDS Rules. Dearness Allowance is also payable on TRCA as declared by the Government of India from time to time.

GDS personnel are also covered by provisions such as GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme, subject to the applicable rules.

Application Fee and Exemptions

The application fee for the current GDS engagement is Rs.100 for candidates to whom the fee applies.

The following applicants are exempt from payment:

• All female candidates

• SC candidates

• ST candidates

• PwBD candidates

• Transwomen candidates

Where payment is required, the fee can be paid through the recognised online payment methods, including credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI. Applicable transaction charges may be additional.

The fee is non-refundable once paid.

Two-Stage Online Application Route

The GDS portal separates registration from the actual application. Completing only one of these stages does not constitute a completed application.

Stage One – One-Time Registration

The first requirement is to create the candidate profile through the GDS Online Engagement portal. A valid mobile number and email address are required for registration and verification.

After successful registration, the applicant can proceed to the application stage using the registered details.

Stage Two – Online Application

The second stage involves selecting the applicable Postal Circle/Division and completing the online application. Candidates who are not exempt from the fee must also complete payment within the permitted period.

The online application and fee-payment facility closes on 21 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Application Calendar for Schedule-II July-2026

What Candidates Should Check Before Choosing a Division

GDS vacancies are location-specific, so the choice of Division is an important part of the application process. Before finalising the form, applicants should check:

• The available vacancy in the selected Division.

• The prescribed local language for that location.

• The reservation category attached to the vacancy.

• The candidate's own eligibility for the selected category.

• The Class 10 marks used for the merit calculation.

Applicants should rely on the official vacancy annexure for the exact position available in their preferred area.

Documents and Information to Keep Ready

Applicants should keep their personal and academic information accessible while completing the registration and application stages.

• Class 10 examination details and marks information.

• Date-of-birth information.

• Mobile number and email address.

• Category information, wherever applicable.

• PwBD-related information, where applicable.

• Candidates should upload a recent photograph and signature according to the size, format, and other specifications mentioned on the official application portal.

• Other information requested in the online application.

The Department may verify Class 10 marks through digital verification mechanisms such as DigiLocker/API Setu, for which candidate consent may be required.

Important Conditions Applicants Should Not Miss

The India Post GDS recruitment notification specifies multiple eligibility conditions in addition to the prescribed age limit and educational qualification.

• Before starting the registration process, applicants should carefully verify that they meet all the eligibility conditions mentioned in the official recruitment notification.

• Previous dismissal, removal or retirement from Government service as a penalty can affect eligibility.

• A person holding an elective office is not eligible for engagement.

• False declarations or incorrect information can lead to cancellation of engagement and further action as applicable.

• The Department may alter, cancel or revise the recruitment arrangements and vacancy position according to the terms of the notification.

• Candidates should be cautious about fraudulent calls or messages requesting money or personal information.

How the Merit Selection Works

The GDS recruitment differs from examinations where candidates compete through a written test. Here, the system-generated merit list is prepared using Class 10 academic performance.

After the merit stage, candidates shortlisted for engagement must establish the authenticity of their claims through the prescribed document verification process.

Accordingly, applicants should ensure that the Class 10 information entered in the application matches their original academic records.

Important Instructions About Communication

The Department of Posts has cautioned applicants about fraudulent communications. Candidates should rely on the official GDS portal and the relevant recruiting authority for recruitment-related information.

The Department does not make telephone calls or send messages asking candidates to deposit money for selection. Candidates should not share confidential registration information with unknown persons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vacancies have been announced for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

The current GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 cycle contains 23,757 tentative vacancies.

Which posts are included in the GDS 2026 recruitment?

The recruitment drive includes engagement opportunities for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak posts.

What is the closing date for submitting the India Post GDS online application?

Eligible candidates must submit their online application and complete the required fee payment, wherever applicable, by 21 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

When does GDS One-Time Registration close?

The OTR facility remains available until 19 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

What qualification is needed for GDS Recruitment 2026?

Applicants should have passed the Class 10 Secondary School Examination with passing marks in Mathematics and English. They must also have studied the specified local language up to Class 10, as prescribed for the recruitment.