The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication, Government of India has released Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20.08.2026, inviting online applications for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) posts — Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak — under the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026. One-Time Registration opens on 31.08.2026, and online applications with fee payment run from 02.09.2026 to 21.09.2026 (up to 17:00 hrs), followed by a two-day edit/correction window on 23–24.09.2026.
Candidates who have passed the 10th standard with passing marks in Mathematics and English can apply for posts across all 23 Postal Circles covering every State and Union Territory. There is no written exam and no interview — selection is made entirely on a system-generated merit list prepared from Class X marks.
Recruitment Overview
| Post Name | Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) — Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Organization | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication, Government of India (GDS Section) |
| Notification / Advertisement No. | Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20.08.2026 — Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 |
| Location | All India / Central Govt — posts in 23 Postal Circles covering all States and Union Territories |
| Total Vacancies | Not specified in notification — division-wise vacancy position is published on the GDS Online Engagement Portal under "Vacant Posts" (Annexure-I of the notification is a blank format) |
| Qualification | 10th standard (Secondary School Examination) pass with passing marks in Mathematics and English from a recognised board, plus the prescribed local language studied up to 10th standard |
| Age Limit | 18 to 40 years, as on the last date of submission of applications (category-wise relaxation in the table below) Check your age eligibility → |
| Selection Process | Online Application → System-generated Merit List on Class X marks → Physical Document Verification → Offer of Provisional Engagement → Final Engagement |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 12,000–29,380/month (BPM) and Rs. 10,000–24,470/month (ABPM/Dak Sevak) as TRCA, plus Dearness Allowance |
| How to Apply | Apply online only — One-Time Registration first, then the online application form on the GDS Online Engagement Portal |
| Official Notification | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Website / Apply Online | GDS Online Engagement Portal |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 20.08.2026 |
| Online One-Time Registration (OTR) Starts | 31.08.2026 |
| Online One-Time Registration (OTR) Ends | 19.09.2026 (up to 17:00 hrs) |
| Submission of Online Application & Fee Payment Starts | 02.09.2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application & Pay Fee | 21.09.2026 (up to 17:00 hrs) |
| Application / Registration Correction Window | 23.09.2026 to 24.09.2026 (up to 17:00 hrs) |
| Exam Date | Not applicable — no written exam; selection is on Class X merit |
| Closure of Engagement Process (no further shortlist after) | 31.12.2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All applicants (except exempted categories below) | Rs. 100/- |
| All Female applicants | Nil — exempted |
| Transwomen applicants | Nil — exempted |
| SC / ST applicants | Nil — exempted |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | Nil — exempted |
| Mode of Payment | Online only — Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI; payment must be completed within 10 minutes of opening the payment window |
| Refund | Fee once paid is not refunded under any circumstances, including if the application later becomes fee-exempt on resubmission |
Vacancy Details & Reservation Structure
The notification does not carry a consolidated vacancy figure — Annexure-I is a blank format, and the notification states that the division-wise vacancy position will be available on the Portal. Select your Circle and Division under "Vacant Posts" on the GDS Online Engagement Portal to see the exact post count, Post IDs, TRCA and language for each Branch Office. The community-wise reservation applied to those posts is as follows.
| Community | Reservation |
|---|---|
| OBC | As per State reservation percentage |
| SC | As per State reservation percentage |
| ST | As per State reservation percentage |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwBD (A) — Low Vision (LV) | 1% |
| PwBD (B) — Deaf, Hard of Hearing (HH) | 1% |
| PwBD (C) — One Arm, One Leg, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victim, Both Leg, Spinal Infirmity / Spinal Deformity | 1% |
| PwBD (D) & (E) — Specific Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities (except Deaf and Blindness) | 1% |
| UR (Unreserved) | Remaining posts |
Note: Candidates with disability in Both Leg (BL) are eligible to apply only for Dak Sevak posts, which involve stationery duties rather than delivery duties.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Secondary School Examination (10th standard) pass certificate with passing marks in Mathematics and English, from a board recognised by the Government of India / State Governments / Union Territories. Candidates with an equivalent qualification from any other board are not eligible. |
| Local Language | The applicant must have studied the prescribed local language at least up to 10th standard from a recognised board. Post-wise local languages are listed in Annexure-III; special provisions apply for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland. |
| Age Limit | Minimum 18 years, maximum 40 years, determined as on the last date of submission of applications. Check your age eligibility → |
| Computer Knowledge | Required — an undertaking of computer literacy and ability to use a smartphone/laptop/computer from day one must be submitted at engagement (Annexure-VI). |
| Cycling Knowledge | Required — a declaration of ability to ride a bicycle and/or two-wheeler must be submitted at engagement (Annexure-VII). |
| Means of Livelihood | A GDS must have another adequate source of income besides the allowances paid by the Government; an undertaking to this effect is submitted at engagement (Annexure-VIII). |
| Application Restriction | Only one registration per candidate. A candidate may apply for one or more vacant GDS posts in only one selected Division. Duplicate or multiple registrations lead to cancellation of candidature under the GDS Rules, 2020. |
| Accommodation (BPM only) | A candidate selected as BPM must arrange accommodation for running the Branch Post Office at their own cost and must reside in the post village itself. |
| Debarment | Candidates dismissed, removed or compulsorily retired from Government service or from GDS as a penalty are barred from applying. No person holding an elective office will be considered. Past experience or service of any kind is not considered for selection. |
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit)
| Category | Permissible Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 3 years |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | No relaxation |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years |
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Online Registration & Application | One-Time Registration (31.08.2026–19.09.2026) followed by the online application form and fee payment (02.09.2026–21.09.2026). No documents are uploaded other than photograph and signature. Applications submitted without complete data, or with wrong/unnecessary documents, are rejected. |
| 2. System-generated Merit List | The only selection stage — no written exam and no interview. Merit is computed from marks obtained in the 10th standard SSE, aggregated to a percentage accurate to 4 decimals. Where only grades/points are given, the system converts them using a multiplication factor of 9.5 (A1=10, A2=9, B1=8, B2=7, C1=6, C2=5, D=4). Where both CGPA and subject-wise marks exist, the higher of the two is taken. Candidates must enter grades/points as printed and must not convert them into marks themselves — self-converted marks make the application liable for cancellation. |
| 3. Tie-breaker | In case of a tie, priority order is: DOB (older in age first), then ST trans-woman, ST female, SC trans-woman, SC female, OBC trans-woman, OBC female, EWS trans-woman, EWS female, UR trans-woman, UR female, followed by ST trans-male, ST male, SC trans-male, SC male, OBC trans-male, OBC male, EWS trans-male, EWS male, UR trans-male and UR male. The Department may introduce additional tie-break criteria and its decision is final. |
| 4. Publication of Shortlist | The shortlist is released on the GDS Online Engagement Portal, with SMS and email to the registered mobile number and email ID. The Department is not responsible for non-receipt of SMS/email, so candidates must check the portal regularly. |
| 5. Physical Document Verification | Shortlisted candidates must report to the Divisional / Unit Head (Engaging Authority) within 15 days of shortlisting with all documents in original plus two sets of self-attested photocopies. Failing to report within 15 days marks the candidate as "Non-turned up" and the candidature is automatically cancelled. |
| 6. Offer of Provisional Engagement | If the documents match the originals with no discrepancy, verification is deemed successful and a system-generated Offer of Provisional Engagement is issued immediately. |
| 7. Pre-engagement Formalities & Joining | To be completed within 30 days of the offer, including 3 days of prescribed basic training and arrangement of accommodation (for BPM). Failure to complete formalities or to join within 30 days results in cancellation and the post being offered to the next candidate. |
| 8. Final Engagement | Issued after receipt of verification reports from the certificate-issuing authorities and police antecedent verification. Candidature is cancelled at any stage if identity is disguised or details are found false. |
Salary and Benefits
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| TRCA Slab — Branch Postmaster (BPM) | Rs. 12,000/- to Rs. 29,380/- per month |
| TRCA Slab — ABPM / Dak Sevak | Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 24,470/- per month |
| Annual Increase | 3% annual increase on TRCA, subject to fulfilment of conditions under the GDS Rules |
| Dearness Allowance | Payable on TRCA as declared by the Government of India from time to time |
| Other Allowances & Social Security | GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (akin to the National Pension System applicable to regular employees), plus other allowances under the GDS Rules |
| Working Hours | Minimum 4 hours and maximum 5 hours a day |
| Service Status | GDS are holders of Civil Posts outside the regular civil services. They are not regular Central Government employees, their emoluments are not at par with Central Government employees, and they cannot be retained beyond 65 years of age. |
How to Apply
- Visit the GDS Online Engagement Portal at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement, click Candidate Login/Register and then New Candidate Registration to complete the One-Time Registration between 31.08.2026 and 19.09.2026. Keep your active mobile number, email ID, and your 10th board name and passing year ready.
- Verify the mobile number and email ID through OTP and complete your personal details and password. Your Registration Number and a system-generated password are sent by SMS — note them down, because the same mobile number and email ID cannot be reused for another registration and cannot be modified later.
- From 02.09.2026, log in with your Registration Number and password, click Apply Online under the Active Notification tab, and fill in Personal Details, Board/Educational Details (Circle, board, passing year, marks or grades) and your Division selection with post preferences for every relevant Post ID.
- Upload your recent photograph (JPG/JPEG, 30–100 KB, 320×400 px) and signature (JPG/JPEG, 20–100 KB, 300×120 px), then check the preview carefully — no correction or replacement is entertained after final submission.
- Pay the Rs. 100 fee online if you are not in an exempted category, and complete the final submission on or before 21.09.2026, 17:00 hrs. If anything needs fixing, use the correction window on 23–24.09.2026.
Note: Applications are accepted in online mode only. Applications received through any other mode will not be entertained and no communication in that respect will be replied to.
Documents Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| Recent Photograph (upload) | JPG/JPEG only, 30–100 KB, recommended 320×400 px, 4:5 ratio, 72–150 DPI, plain white or light background, face occupying 70–80% of the image, no shadows or red-eye. Scanned photos and selfies are not accepted. Resize your photo and signature → |
| Signature (upload) | JPG/JPEG only, 20–100 KB, recommended 300×120 px, 5:2 ratio, 72–150 DPI, signed with a black or blue pen on plain white paper, occupying 70–80% of the image. Typed or digital text is not accepted. |
| Class X (SSE) Marksheet | Original plus two self-attested photocopies at document verification. Name, DOB and parents’ names in the application must match this certificate exactly. |
| Identity Proof | Original plus two self-attested photocopies |
| Date of Birth Proof | Original plus two self-attested photocopies |
| Caste Certificate (SC / ST / OBC) | In the prescribed format at Annexure-V. If not available in the prescribed format, it must be submitted within 15 days of the offer of provisional engagement. |
| EWS Income & Asset Certificate | In the prescribed format at Annexure-V, valid as on the last date of submission of the online application |
| PwBD Certificate | Benchmark disability certificate. A temporary disability certified as "likely to improve" is not eligible for reservation. |
| Transgender Certificate | Required if claiming transgender / transwoman status |
| Medical Certificate | Compulsory — issued by a medical officer of any Government Hospital, Government Dispensary or Government Primary Health Centre |
| Local Language / Dialect Certificate | Required for engagement in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa or Nagaland, issued by the competent authority |
| Undertakings (Annexures IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X) | Non-dismissal declaration, computer literacy, cycling ability, means of livelihood, truthfulness of details, and consent for marksheet verification through API Setu |
Note: Only the photograph and signature are uploaded with the online application. All other documents are produced in original, with two sets of self-attested photocopies, at the physical document verification stage.
Important Links
| Link | Access |
|---|---|
| Official Notification (PDF) | Download Official Notification |
| Apply Online / Candidate Login | GDS Candidate Login / Register |
| Official Website (Vacant Posts & Instructions) | GDS Online Engagement Portal |
| Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |
| WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp Channel |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Creating more than one registration or submitting duplicate applications — if duplicates are found by altering basic details, all such candidatures are removed from the selection process.
- Converting your grades or points into marks yourself — enter grades/points exactly as printed on the marksheet, because self-converted marks make the application liable for cancellation.
- Trying to apply across more than one Division — a candidate can select only one Division and must give preferences for every relevant Post ID within it, or those posts will not be considered.
- Uploading a blurred, miniature or wrongly-sized photograph or signature — such applications are rejected outright and no replacement is allowed after final submission.
- Entering a name, date of birth or parents’ names that do not match the Class X certificate exactly — this gets the candidature cancelled at document verification.
- Leaving fee payment to the last hour on 21.09.2026 — the payment must be completed by 17:00 hrs, it must finish within 10 minutes of opening the payment window, and the fee is never refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application and complete fee payment is 21.09.2026 up to 17:00 hrs.
2. How many GDS vacancies are there in this notification?
The notification does not state a consolidated total — the division-wise vacancy position is published under "Vacant Posts" on the GDS Online Engagement Portal, where you can select your Circle and Division.
3. What qualification is required for GDS BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak?
A 10th standard pass certificate with passing marks in Mathematics and English from a recognised board, plus the prescribed local language studied up to 10th standard.
4. What is the age limit and how much relaxation is allowed?
18 to 40 years as on the last date of application, with 5 years relaxation for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwBD, 13 years for PwBD+OBC and 15 years for PwBD+SC/ST.
5. Is there an application fee for India Post GDS 2026?
Yes, Rs. 100/- for all posts in the chosen Division, but female, transwomen, SC, ST and PwBD applicants are fully exempt from the fee.
6. Is there any written exam or interview for GDS selection?
No — selection is made entirely on a system-generated merit list prepared from your Class X marks, calculated to four decimal places, with no exam and no interview at any stage.
7. What salary will a Gramin Dak Sevak get?
BPM posts carry a TRCA of Rs. 12,000–29,380 per month and ABPM/Dak Sevak posts Rs. 10,000–24,470 per month, plus Dearness Allowance and a 3% annual increase.
8. Do candidates selected as BPM have to arrange the post office premises themselves?
Yes — a candidate selected as Branch Postmaster must provide accommodation for running the Branch Post Office at their own cost and must reside in the post village itself.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
