India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 (Schedule-II, July-2026): Online Application, Eligibility, Dates & Full Details

The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification (No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20th August 2026) for engagement to the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak across Circles/Divisions of the Department of Posts. Selection is entirely merit-based on Class 10 marks — there is no written exam or interview.

Circle/Division-wise vacancy positions for this cycle have not been released with the descriptive notification and will be published separately on the official portal. Some media reports expect the total to be upwards of 25,000 posts, but this figure is unofficial until the Department publishes the Annexure-I vacancy list on the portal.

Quick Overview

Important Dates

Dates are subject to change at the discretion of the Department. Candidates should check the official portal for updates.

Application Status

As of now, One-Time Registration has not yet opened; it is scheduled to begin on 31.08.2026, with online applications and fee payment starting from 02.09.2026. Candidates should complete their One-Time Registration first before applying against Division-wise vacancies.

Vacancy Details

The descriptive notification does not carry a total or Circle/Division-wise vacancy count. Per the notification, tentative vacant posts in each Circle/Division will be published separately as a Community-wise Consolidation of Posts on the official GDS portal, listing:

• OBC — as per applicable state reservation percentage
• SC — as per applicable state reservation percentage
• ST — as per applicable state reservation percentage
• EWS — 10% reservation
• UR (Unreserved)
• PwBD — 4% overall, split as 1% each across Low Vision; Deaf/Hard of Hearing; One Arm/One Leg/Leprosy Cured/Dwarfism/Acid Attack Victim/Both Leg/Spinal Infirmity; and Specific Learning Disability/Intellectual Disability/Multiple Disabilities categories

Once the Department publishes the Circle/Division-wise, category-wise vacancy list on the portal, this section will be updated with the complete state and category breakup.

Eligibility

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed the Secondary School Examination (Class 10/SSE) with passing marks in Mathematics and English, from a Board of School Education recognised by the Central or a State Government/Union Territory. Equivalent qualifications from unrecognised boards are not accepted.

Local Language Requirement

Candidates must have studied the local language prescribed for the post’s Circle at least up to Class 10 from a recognised board. The prescribed local languages by Circle/State are:

Special provisions apply for candidates without formal schooling in the notified tribal dialects of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa and Nagaland — proficiency in these cases is verified through a certificate from the competent state authority at the time of document verification.

Experience

Past experience or prior service of any kind is not considered for selection. This is a fresh-entry, merit-based engagement with no experience requirement.

Other Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of computers
• Ability to ride a bicycle (and/or drive a two-wheeler) for performing GDS duties
• An adequate additional source of income/livelihood besides the GDS allowance, since GDS is not a full Central Government salaried post

Selected candidates must submit undertakings on computer literacy, cycling ability and means of livelihood at the time of engagement.

What Is the Age Limit for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

Minimum age is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years, calculated as on the last date for submission of the online application.

Age Relaxation

Who Is Eligible?

• Candidates who have passed Class 10 (SSE) with passing marks in Maths and English from a recognised board
• Candidates who have studied the prescribed local language up to Class 10, or meet the special local-language provisions for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim or Nagaland
• Candidates aged 18–40 years (with applicable relaxation) as on the last date of application
• Candidates able to submit undertakings on computer literacy, cycling and adequate livelihood support

Who Is Not Eligible?

• Candidates holding only equivalent qualifications from boards not recognised by the Central/State Government
• Candidates dismissed, removed or compulsorily retired from Government service/GDS in the past as a disciplinary measure
• Persons holding an elective office
• Candidates who fail to meet the prescribed local-language requirement for the Division applied for

What Is the Application Fee for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

Fee can be paid online via debit/credit card, net banking or UPI. Applicable bank/transaction charges will be levied. Fee once paid is non-refundable.

How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

1. Visit indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) using a valid mobile number and email ID (both verified via OTP).
2. Note the system-generated Registration Number and password sent via SMS.
3. Log in during the application window and fill Personal Details, Board/Educational Details (Class 10 marks/grades exactly as per marksheet), and select a Division and post preferences based on local language and eligibility.
4. Upload photograph and signature as per prescribed specifications.
5. Preview the application carefully; edits are allowed only before final submission.
6. Pay the application fee, if applicable, and submit the form.
7. Download/print the confirmation for future reference.

Only one registration per candidate is permitted. Multiple or duplicate registrations will lead to cancellation of candidature.

Documents Required to Be Uploaded

No documents need to be uploaded at the time of application except photograph and signature. However, shortlisted candidates must carry the following original documents (with two self-attested photocopies each) for physical verification:

• Class 10 (SSE) marksheet
• Identity proof
• Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC, where applicable)
• PwBD certificate (where applicable)
• EWS certificate (where applicable)
• Transgender certificate (where applicable)
• Date of Birth proof
• Medical fitness certificate from a Government hospital/dispensary/Primary Health Centre (compulsory)
• Local/tribal language proficiency certificate — only for engagement in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa or Nagaland, where applicable

Upload Specifications

Photograph must have a plain white/light background with the face occupying 70–80% of the frame, no shadows or red-eye. Signature must be handwritten in black/blue pen on plain white paper, clearly scanned — typed or digital signatures are not accepted. Applications with blurred photographs or signatures are rejected.

Common Application Mistakes

• Entering name, Date of Birth, father’s/mother’s name that don’t exactly match the Class 10 marksheet
• Applying with grade/points instead of marks where the marksheet clearly shows marks (this can lead to cancellation)
• Uploading blurred, miniature or scanned selfie-style photographs and signatures
• Not verifying the preview of uploaded photo/signature before final submission — no correction is allowed after that
• Submitting duplicate or multiple registrations with altered details

Correction Window

A two-day edit/correction window is provided from 23.09.2026 to 24.09.2026 (up to 5:00 PM) after the closing date, allowing candidates to correct registration/application details except mobile number and email ID. If a category change during correction requires fee payment, the modification is accepted only after fee deposit. Once a modified application is finally resubmitted, no further changes are allowed. Mobile number and email ID can never be changed.

What Is the Selection Process for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

There is no written examination or interview. Selection is based entirely on a system-generated merit list prepared from marks obtained in the Class 10 (SSE) examination, converted to a percentage up to 4 decimal places. Where a marksheet shows grades/points instead of marks, these are converted using a multiplication factor of 9.5 against the maximum grade/points. Where CGPA is provided, marks are derived by multiplying CGPA by 9.5, and the higher of grade-based or CGPA-based marks is used where both are available.

In case of a tie in merit, preference follows a fixed order based on age (older preferred) and category/gender combination as specified in the notification, with the Department retaining discretion to apply additional tie-breaking criteria.

Salary / Pay Scale (TRCA)

GDS staff are paid a Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), not a regular Government salary, with an annual increase of 3% subject to conditions, plus applicable Dearness Allowance.

GDS staff are also entitled to GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (broadly similar to the National Pension System for regular employees), as detailed in the GDS Rules.

GDSs are civil post holders but are not regular Central Government employees; they must have another source of income to support their livelihood, and their duty hours are 4–5 hours per day. Engagement continues up to 65 years of age.

Job Profile & Posting

The role and responsibilities vary by post:

Branch Postmaster (BPM)

• Overall responsibility for day-to-day postal operations and IPPB services at the Branch Post Office
• Marketing and promotion of Department products/services and operating Customer Service Centre (CSC) functions
• In single-handed offices, full responsibility for mail conveyance and delivery; in others, combined duties with ABPM as required
• Must arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office at own cost and reside in the post village

Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)

• Sale of stamps/stationery, mail conveyance and doorstep delivery, IPPB transactions
• Assisting the BPM in postal operations and CSC-related marketing activities
• May be required to perform combined BPM duties when needed
• Must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Branch Post Office

Dak Sevak

• Engaged in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices or Delivery Centres
• Duties include sale of stamps/stationery, IPPB transactions, mail/parcel handling, transhipment of bags, and delivery, depending on office of posting
• Assists the Postmaster/Sub-Postmaster in smooth functioning of the office and may be assigned marketing/business procurement work
• Must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the attached Post Office

Posting is against the specific Division/office and Post ID chosen by the candidate at the time of application; only one post is offered even if a candidate is found suitable for more than one preference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a written exam for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

No. Selection is entirely based on a merit list prepared from Class 10 marks/grades. There is no written examination, no interview and no exam centres involved.

Can freshers apply for GDS posts?

Yes. Past experience or prior service is explicitly not considered for selection, so freshers with the required qualification are eligible.

Is local language knowledge mandatory?

Yes. Candidates must have studied the prescribed local language for the Division/Circle up to Class 10, except where special certificate-based provisions apply (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, Nagaland).

Can I apply for Divisions in a different state?

An applicant can apply to only one selected Division, and eligibility for posts within it depends on the local language studied and other criteria — so candidates should check whether their studied language matches the target Division’s prescribed language.

Is the application fee refundable?

No. The fee, once paid, is non-refundable under any circumstances, including cases of later ineligibility.

What happens after applications close?

A two-day correction window opens on 23–24 September 2026, after which a system-generated merit list is prepared. Shortlisted candidates are informed via SMS/email and must complete physical document verification with the concerned Engaging Authority within 15 days of shortlisting.

What documents will I need at document verification?

Original Class 10 marksheet, identity proof, applicable caste/EWS/PwBD/transgender certificate, DOB proof, and a medical fitness certificate from a Government hospital/dispensary, along with two self-attested photocopies of each.

Is there a service bond for GDS engagement?

The notification does not specify a formal service bond; however, BPM candidates must arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office at their own cost before engagement, and all GDS staff must submit undertakings on livelihood, computer literacy and cycling ability at the time of engagement.

Can the application be edited after final submission?

Only during the two-day correction window (23–24 September 2026). No changes are permitted after that window closes, and mobile number/email ID can never be edited.