India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for BPM, ABPM & Dak Sevak Posts

The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has released the India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Recruitment 2026 notification for the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 cycle. The recruitment is being conducted for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak posts in various Circles and Divisions across India.

The notification, numbered 17-12/2026-GDS and dated 20 August 2026, invites applications from eligible candidates for tentative vacancies in rural offices of the Department of Posts.

According to the notification, the exact total number of vacancies is not specified in the notification itself. The FreeJobAlert page states that 25,000+ posts are expected, while candidates are directed to the GDS Online Engagement Portal to check the tentative, division-wise vacancy position.

The One-Time Registration (OTR) process begins on 31 August 2026, while online application submission will be open from 02 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 up to 1700 hours. Candidates who have passed Class 10 and meet the prescribed local-language and other eligibility requirements can apply online.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Overview

Particulars	Details
Organization	Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India
Recruitment	Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement
Engagement Cycle	Schedule-II, July-2026
Notification Number	17-12/2026-GDS
Notification Date	20 August 2026
Posts	BPM, ABPM & Dak Sevak
Total Vacancies	Not specified; 25,000+ expected
Job Location	Rural offices across various Circles/Divisions in India
Application Mode	Online
OTR Start Date	31 August 2026
Application Start Date	02 September 2026
Last Date to Apply	21 September 2026 up to 1700 Hrs
Official Website	indiapost.gov.in

Important Links for GDS 2026

IMPORTANT LINKS

APPLY LINK of India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

Click here to download the official notification PDF of India Post GDS Vacancy 2026

Official Website of the India Post

The exact Circle-wise and Division-wise tentative vacancy position is to be checked separately on the GDS Online Engagement Portal.

India Post GDS Vacancy 2026

The India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 notification covers three categories of Gramin Dak Sevak posts:

• Branch Postmaster (BPM)
• Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
• Dak Sevak

The notification does not specify a single consolidated number of vacancies. Instead, candidates are directed to check the division-wise tentative vacancy position on the GDS Online Engagement Portal.

The FreeJobAlert page describes the recruitment as a 25,000+ expected vacancy recruitment drive, but candidates should check the portal for the actual tentative vacancies available in their preferred Division.

Branch Postmaster (BPM)

The Branch Postmaster is responsible for the overall functioning of a single-handed Branch Post Office.

The role includes:

• Handling day-to-day postal operations
• IPPB transactions
• Marketing and promotion of Department services
• Mail conveyance and delivery
• Managing the Branch Post Office

A BPM is required to arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office and reside in the post village.

Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)

The Assistant Branch Postmaster assists the BPM in postal operations.

The duties include:

• Sale of stamps and stationery
• Mail conveyance
• Doorstep delivery
• IPPB transactions
• Performing combined BPM duties whenever required

The ABPM must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.

Dak Sevak

Dak Sevaks may be engaged in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices or Delivery Centres.

Their duties include:

• Handling mail and parcels
• Sale of stamps and stationery
• IPPB transactions
• Assisting the Postmaster/Sub-Postmaster
• Supporting the general functioning of the office

Dak Sevaks must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should carefully note the registration, application and correction dates.

Event	Date
Notification Date	20 August 2026
Online One-Time Registration	31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026
Online Application & Fee Payment	02 September 2026 to 21 September 2026
Last Time for Application/Fee Payment	21 September 2026 up to 1700 Hrs
Edit/Correction Window	23 September 2026 to 24 September 2026
Last Date for Supplementary Shortlist	31 December 2026

The registration and application deadlines are strictly time-bound at 1700 hours. Candidates are advised to complete the process well before the deadline because extensions are not provided for technical problems or heavy website traffic.

India Post GDS Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates applying for BPM, ABPM or Dak Sevak posts must satisfy the prescribed educational, language and other requirements.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed the Secondary School Examination (Class 10) with passing marks in:

• Mathematics
• English

The qualification must be obtained from a Board recognized by the Government of India, State Governments or Union Territories.

Candidates holding equivalent qualifications from other boards that do not meet the prescribed recognition requirements are not eligible.

Local Language Requirement

Candidates must have studied the prescribed local language of the concerned Circle up to at least the 10th standard from a recognized board.

The prescribed local language varies according to the Circle, and the notification contains the applicable language details in its annexure.

Special provisions are applicable for:

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Goa
• Sikkim
• Nagaland

Candidates should therefore check the local-language requirement applicable to the Division and post for which they intend to apply.

Other Required Qualifications

Apart from Class 10 qualification and local-language knowledge, candidates should have:

• Knowledge of computers
• Knowledge of cycling
• Adequate means of livelihood besides the GDS allowances

The knowledge of computers, cycling and adequate means of livelihood is to be submitted through undertakings at the time of engagement.

The notification also clearly states that past experience or service of any kind is not considered for selection.

India Post GDS Age Limit 2026

The minimum age required for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is 18 years, while the maximum age is 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

Candidates should ensure that they meet the prescribed age criteria before submitting the application.

India Post GDS Salary 2026

Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular Central Government employees. They are paid emoluments in the form of Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA).

The TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to fulfilment of the conditions prescribed under the GDS Rules.

GDS employees also receive Dearness Allowance on TRCA as declared by the Government of India from time to time. They are also entitled to GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme.

GDS TRCA Pay

Post	Initial TRCA Slab
Branch Postmaster (BPM)	₹12,000 – ₹29,380
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)	₹10,000 – ₹24,470
Dak Sevak	₹10,000 – ₹24,470

The TRCA structure is applicable along with the benefits prescribed under the GDS rules.

India Post GDS Application Fee 2026

Candidates applying for the notified posts in their chosen Division are required to pay an application fee of ₹100.

The fee can be paid online through:

• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Net Banking
• UPI

Applicable usage charges may be levied by the payment service provider.

The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid within the application closing date and time.

Who Is Exempted From the Application Fee?

The following applicants are exempted from payment of the ₹100 application fee:

• All female applicants
• SC applicants
• ST applicants
• PwBD applicants
• Transwomen applicants

Candidates belonging to the exempted categories can submit their applications without making the fee payment.

India Post GDS Selection Process 2026

One of the most important features of the India Post GDS recruitment is that there is no written examination.

Selection is made entirely on the basis of the candidate’s Class 10 academic performance.

How the Merit List Is Prepared

Candidates are shortlisted through a system-generated merit list.

The merit list is prepared using the marks obtained in the Secondary School Examination (Class 10). Where grades or points are provided instead of marks, they are converted into marks according to the prescribed methodology.

The marks are aggregated into a percentage up to four decimal places.

Where only grades are available, the prescribed multiplication factor of 9.5 is used against the grade point.

For example:

Grade Point × 9.5 = Marks

Where CGPA is available, the prescribed CGPA conversion is also applied.

Candidates must enter their marks or grades exactly as they appear on the Class 10 marksheet. Incorrectly mixing marks and grades or entering grades in place of required marks can result in cancellation or disqualification.

Tie-Breaking

If candidates obtain the same merit position, tie-breaking is carried out according to the prescribed priority order.

The process begins with date of birth, with the older candidate receiving preference, followed by the specified category and gender combinations.

The Department also reserves the right to apply additional tie-breaking criteria where required.

What Happens After Shortlisting?

Candidates who are shortlisted through the merit list must undergo physical verification of their original documents by the Engaging Authority, such as the Divisional or Unit Head.

After successful verification, the candidate receives an offer of provisional engagement.

The pre-engagement process includes:

• Physical document verification
• Pre-engagement formalities
• Three days of basic training
• Arranging the required accommodation

Final regularization is carried out after the required antecedent and document verification processes.

How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

The application process is completely online and is divided into two stages:

1. One-Time Registration (OTR)
2. Online Application Form

Step 1: Complete One-Time Registration

Candidates must first complete OTR using a valid mobile number and email ID.

The mobile number and email ID are verified through OTP.

Candidates need to enter their personal information and Class 10 board and year-of-passing details.

After successful registration, a unique Registration Number is generated.

Step 2: Login to the Portal

Candidates can log in using the Registration Number and password received through SMS.

After logging in, select “Apply Online” under the “Active Notification” section.

Step 3: Enter Educational Details

Candidates need to provide details such as:

• Circle
• Board Name
• Year of Passing
• Marks Obtained

Candidates can then select their preferred Division and post according to the vacancies for which they are eligible.

Step 4: Upload Photograph and Signature

The prescribed photograph and signature specifications are:

Photograph:

• Format: JPG/JPEG
• Size: 30–100 KB
• Dimensions: 320 × 400 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:5

Signature:

• Format: JPG/JPEG
• Size: 20–100 KB
• Dimensions: 300 × 120 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 5:2

Step 5: Preview the Application

Candidates should carefully check all information entered in the application before final submission.

Any necessary corrections should be made at this stage.

Step 6: Pay the Application Fee

Candidates who are not exempted from the fee must pay the applicable ₹100 fee through the available online payment options.

The payment process should be completed within the prescribed time after initiating payment.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Submit the application before the deadline of 21 September 2026 up to 1700 Hrs.

Candidates can use the designated 23–24 September 2026 correction window if corrections are required.

Documents and Information Required

Candidates should keep their Class 10 educational details and other relevant information ready while completing the application.

The application requires details relating to:

• Class 10 marksheet/certificate
• Board name
• Year of passing
• Marks obtained
• Personal details
• Prescribed local language
• Division and post preferences
• Recent photograph
• Signature
• Valid mobile number
• Valid email ID

Importantly, candidates are not required to upload educational or other supporting documents with the initial application. Only the photograph and signature are uploaded. Original documents are physically verified at a later stage for shortlisted candidates.

Important Instructions for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

Candidates should carefully follow the instructions before completing the registration and application.

Only One Registration Is Allowed

Only one registration per candidate is permitted.

Multiple or duplicate registrations/applications are strictly prohibited and can result in cancellation of candidature.

Enter Class 10 Details Correctly

The following details should exactly match the Class 10 certificate:

• Candidate’s name
• Date of birth
• Father’s name
• Mother’s name

Incorrect information can result in cancellation of candidature.

Mobile Number and Email Cannot Be Changed

The mobile number and email ID used during registration cannot be modified after registration.

Candidates should therefore use an active mobile number and email address that they can access throughout the recruitment process.

Previous Government Service

Candidates who have been dismissed, removed or compulsorily retired from Government service or GDS as a penalty are barred from applying.

Applicants are required to provide an undertaking regarding this condition.

A false declaration can lead to termination and possible prosecution.

DigiLocker Verification

The Secondary School Examination marksheets of selected candidates may be verified through DigiLocker/API Setu.

Candidates are required to provide consent for this verification.

Elective Office

A person holding an elective office will not be considered for engagement.

Beware of Fraudulent Calls

The Department does not make phone calls to applicants regarding recruitment.

Candidates should be cautious of anyone making calls requesting personal information or claiming to offer recruitment assistance.

The Department also reserves the right to modify or cancel the notification or revise the number of posts at any time without assigning a reason.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Key Points

For candidates who want a quick overview, here are the most important details:

• Recruitment: India Post GDS Schedule-II, July-2026
• Posts: BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak
• Vacancies: 25,000+ expected; exact number not specified in the notification
• Qualification: Class 10 pass
• Subjects required: Mathematics and English
• Local Language: Must be studied up to Class 10
• Age Limit: 18–40 years
• Application Mode: Online
• OTR Starts: 31 August 2026
• Application Starts: 2 September 2026
• Last Date: 21 September 2026, up to 1700 Hrs
• Correction Window: 23–24 September 2026
• Application Fee: ₹100
• Fee Exemption: Female, SC, ST, PwBD and Transwomen applicants
• Selection: Class 10 merit list
• Written Exam: No
• BPM TRCA: ₹12,000–₹29,380
• ABPM/Dak Sevak TRCA: ₹10,000–₹24,470
• Job Location: Rural offices across India

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 FAQs

What is India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

It is the Gramin Dak Sevak Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 recruitment cycle conducted by the Department of Posts for BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak posts in various Circles and Divisions across India.

How many vacancies are available in India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

The exact total number of vacancies is not specified in the notification. The FreeJobAlert page states that 25,000+ posts are expected, while candidates are directed to the GDS Online Engagement Portal for the tentative Division-wise vacancy position.

What is the last date to apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

The online application and fee payment window closes on 21 September 2026 at 1700 Hrs.

What is the qualification for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

Candidates must have passed Class 10/Secondary School Examination with passing marks in Mathematics and English and must have studied the prescribed local language up to the 10th standard.

What is the age limit for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

The age limit is 18 to 40 years as on the last date of application submission. Applicable age relaxation is provided for eligible reserved categories.

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

No. There is no written examination or interview. Selection is based on a system-generated merit list prepared using Class 10 marks/grades, followed by physical verification of original documents.

What is the India Post GDS application fee?

The application fee is ₹100. Female applicants, SC/ST applicants, PwBD applicants and Transwomen applicants are exempted from paying the fee.

What is the salary of India Post GDS BPM?

The initial TRCA slab for a Branch Postmaster is ₹12,000 to ₹29,380. GDS employees also receive applicable Dearness Allowance and other benefits under the GDS rules.

What is the salary of ABPM and Dak Sevak?

The initial TRCA slab for Assistant Branch Postmaster and Dak Sevak is ₹10,000 to ₹24,470, along with applicable Dearness Allowance and GDS benefits.

When does India Post GDS One-Time Registration start?

The One-Time Registration process starts on 31 August 2026. The registration window remains open until 19 September 2026 up to 1700 Hrs.

Conclusion

The India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is an important opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 10 and meet the prescribed local-language and other eligibility requirements. The Schedule-II, July-2026 engagement cycle covers BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak posts across various rural offices of India Post.

There is no written examination for this recruitment. Instead, candidates are shortlisted through a system-generated merit list based primarily on their Class 10 academic performance. Candidates should therefore enter their Class 10 marks and other details with extreme care.

The OTR process begins on 31 August 2026, while applications can be submitted from 2 September to 21 September 2026 up to 1700 Hrs. Since the exact Division-wise vacancies are available separately through the GDS Online Engagement Portal, candidates should check the vacancy position and eligibility for their preferred Division before submitting the application.