The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has announced the India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July 2026. A total of 23,757 GDS vacancies have been notified for various Postal Circles across India.
The recruitment is being conducted for the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak. One of the major attractions of this recruitment is that candidates are selected through a merit list based on Class 10 marks, meaning there is no conventional written examination or interview.
According to the official India Post GDS portal, One-Time Registration (OTR) starts on August 31, 2026, while online application submission will be available from September 2 to September 21, 2026, up to 5:00 PM. A correction window will also be available on September 23 and 24, 2026.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Department | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications |
| Recruitment | Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement |
| Schedule | Schedule-II, July 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 17-12/2026-GDS |
| Total Vacancies | 23,757 |
| Posts | BPM, ABPM & Dak Sevak |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| OTR Start Date | August 31, 2026 |
| OTR Last Date | September 19, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | September 2, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 21, 2026 |
| Correction Window | September 23–24, 2026 |
| Selection | Merit based on Class 10 marks |
The official India Post vacancy annexure confirms the overall total of 23,757 posts.
India Post GDS Vacancy 2026
The recruitment includes vacancies in different Postal Circles and languages. The official vacancy statement shows the following major figures:
| Postal Circle | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra – Marathi | 2,297 |
| Tamil Nadu | 2,118 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,691 |
| West Bengal – Bengali | 1,619 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1,450 |
| Jharkhand | 1,379 |
| Kerala | 1,373 |
| North Eastern Circle – English/Hindi | 1,354 |
| Odisha | 1,353 |
| Karnataka | 1,116 |
| Bihar | 1,098 |
| Rajasthan | 1,009 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 917 |
| Chhattisgarh | 762 |
| Gujarat | 499 |
| Uttarakhand | 452 |
| Telangana | 419 |
| Assam | 414 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 340 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 335 |
| Punjab | 122 |
| Haryana | 87 |
| Delhi | 16 |
Some circles have separate vacancy entries based on the prescribed local language. Therefore, candidates should check the official annexure and division-wise vacancy list before applying.
Category-Wise Vacancies
The official Annexure-Ia gives the following overall category-wise distribution:
- UR: 10,640
- OBC: 4,433
- SC: 3,082
- ST: 2,773
- EWS: 2,160
- PwBD-A: 192
- PwBD-B: 227
- PwBD-C: 178
- PwBD-DE: 72
Total: 23,757 vacancies.
Posts Available Under India Post GDS Recruitment
1. Branch Postmaster (BPM)
The BPM is responsible for the overall functioning of a Branch Post Office. Duties can include postal operations, handling customer services, IPPB-related transactions, mail-related work and promotion of postal services.
Candidates selected as BPMs are required to arrange accommodation for operating the Branch Post Office at their own cost, according to the applicable GDS conditions.
2. Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
The ABPM assists in various Branch Post Office activities. Duties may include sale of stamps and stationery, mail conveyance and delivery, IPPB transactions and other postal work assigned by the Department.
3. Dak Sevak
Dak Sevaks may be engaged in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices and Delivery Centres. Their duties can include handling mail and parcels, sale of stamps and stationery, IPPB transactions and assisting postal officials.
India Post GDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates should carefully check the eligibility conditions before submitting their applications.
Educational Qualification
The candidate should have passed Class 10th/Secondary School Examination from a recognized board.
Mathematics and English are required subjects, and the candidate must have studied the prescribed local language up to the required level.
In addition to the educational qualification, candidates are required to have basic computer knowledge and knowledge of cycling. Other conditions mentioned in the GDS recruitment rules/notification must also be fulfilled.
Age Limit
The general age requirement for this recruitment is:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 40 years
Age relaxation is applicable to eligible reserved-category candidates as per the applicable government/GDS rules.
The age is generally calculated with reference to the last date of online application submission. Candidates should verify their exact eligibility from the official notification before applying.
Application Fee
The reported application fee structure for the current GDS recruitment is:
- Male candidates belonging to UR/OBC/EWS: ₹100
- Female candidates: No fee
- SC candidates: No fee
- ST candidates: No fee
- PwBD candidates: No fee
- Transwomen candidates: No fee
Candidates should follow the fee instructions displayed on the official GDS portal while submitting the application.
India Post GDS Salary 2026
GDS employees are paid under the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) system rather than the regular Central Government employee pay matrix.
The reported TRCA ranges are:
BPM
₹12,000 to ₹29,380
ABPM / Dak Sevak
₹10,000 to ₹24,470
The actual amount payable depends on the applicable TRCA slab, working conditions and other admissible allowances.
It is important to understand that GDS positions are not regular Central Government employees in the same manner as employees appointed under the regular civil services. India Post states that GDS service conditions are governed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, as amended from time to time.
Working Hours
GDS engagement generally involves four to five hours of work per day, depending on the post and applicable requirements.
India Post specifically states that GDSs are required to work for a minimum of four hours and a maximum of five hours a day under the applicable rules.
India Post GDS Selection Process 2026
One of the most important features of GDS recruitment is that there is no traditional written examination.
The selection process generally follows these stages:
Step 1 – Online Registration
Candidates first complete the One-Time Registration on the official GDS portal.
Step 2 – Online Application
After registration, eligible candidates submit the application for the desired recruitment cycle and complete the required fee payment, if applicable.
Step 3 – Merit List
India Post prepares a system-generated merit list based primarily on the candidate’s Class 10 marks.
The percentage is calculated according to the prescribed procedure, including marks calculated to the required decimal places.
Step 4 – Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted in the merit list must undergo physical document verification.
Step 5 – Medical/Pre-Engagement Formalities
Candidates who successfully complete verification and other required formalities can proceed towards engagement.
Therefore, candidates should enter their Class 10 marks and personal details very carefully because the merit-based selection makes the accuracy of the application particularly important.
Important Dates for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
The official GDS portal currently displays these dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| OTR Registration Starts | August 31, 2026 |
| OTR Registration Ends | September 19, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Online Application Starts | September 2, 2026 |
| Online Application Ends | September 21, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Edit/Correction Window | September 23–24, 2026, 5:00 PM |
Candidates should not wait until the final day to submit the form. Website traffic, payment issues or incorrect details can cause unnecessary problems near the deadline.
How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal.
Step 2: Complete the One-Time Registration using the required personal, educational and contact information.
Step 3: Verify the details entered during registration.
Step 4: Log in to the GDS application portal after registration.
Step 5: Select the appropriate Postal Circle and available preferences as applicable.
Step 6: Upload the required documents and photograph/signature wherever required.
Step 7: Pay the application fee if applicable.
Step 8: Carefully check the complete application before final submission.
Step 9: Submit the application before September 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Step 10: Save or download the submitted application/confirmation for future reference.
Candidates should use only the official India Post GDS portal for registration and application. The Department has also warned candidates not to trust suspicious or unauthorized communications and states that official recruitment communications use authorized India Post domains.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep their important documents and information ready before beginning the registration process. Depending on the portal requirements, these may include:
- Class 10 marksheet/certificate
- Valid mobile number
- Active email ID
- Aadhaar or other required identification details
- Recent photograph
- Signature
- Category certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Other documents required by the official notification
Candidates should ensure that their name, date of birth and educational details match their official documents.
Why India Post GDS Recruitment Is Popular
India Post GDS recruitment attracts a large number of candidates because the minimum educational qualification is Class 10 and selection is based on merit rather than a written competitive examination.
The 2026 Schedule-II recruitment is particularly significant because it offers 23,757 vacancies across different Postal Circles. Candidates from different states can check vacancies according to their applicable local-language requirements and preferred Postal Circle. ([India Post][2])
However, candidates should not assume that simply passing Class 10 guarantees selection. Selection depends on the merit list, category, available vacancies, applicable rules and other eligibility requirements.
Important Links
Candidates should use the following official links for the recruitment:
- Official India Post Website: India Post Official Website
- GDS Online Engagement Portal: GDS Recruitment Portal
- Official GDS Vacancy Annexure: Download Annexure-Ia PDF
- India Post Recruitment/Vacancies: View India Post Recruitments
The official GDS portal currently identifies the recruitment as Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 and provides the registration, application, correction and vacancy information. ([India Post][1])
Final Words
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is an important opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 10 and meet the prescribed eligibility conditions. With 23,757 vacancies available for BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak posts, candidates should carefully check their Postal Circle, local-language requirement, category, age and educational qualification before applying.
Since the selection is merit-based, applicants should enter their Class 10 marks and other information accurately. Candidates should also complete the registration and application process within the official deadlines and regularly check the India Post GDS portal for merit-list and other recruitment updates.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Recruitment dates, vacancies, eligibility requirements, fees, salary/TRCA, selection procedures and other conditions may be changed, corrected or updated by the Department of Posts. Although this article has been prepared using the latest available official India Post GDS information, candidates should verify all details from the official notification and India Post GDS portal before applying. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Posts, Government of India. Candidates should rely only on official India Post communications and websites for final recruitment-related information.
Leave a Reply