Candidates looking for a government job after Class 10 will be able to apply for the India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment from tomorrow, September 2. The Department of Posts has invited applications for vacant GDS posts, including Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak, under the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July 2026.The online application window will open on September 2 and remain open until September 21, 2026, up to 5 pm. Candidates must complete the application and fee payment, wherever applicable, within the deadline.The notification was issued by the Department of Posts on August 20, 2026. The vacancies are listed division-wise on the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 : Important dates
Here’s a look at the key dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| One-Time Registration | August 31 to September 19, 2026 |
| Online application and fee payment | September 2 to September 21, 2026 |
| Last date to apply | September 21, 2026, up to 5 pm |
| Application correction window | September 23 to September 24, 2026, up to 5 pm |
The one-time registration process has already started. Candidates must complete registration before submitting the application. The correction window will be available for two days after the application deadline.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Vacancy overview
The recruitment covers more than 25,000 posts which includes the post of:
- Branch Postmaster (BPM)
- Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
- Dak Sevak
The Department has said that the tentative vacancy position for each Circle and Division will be available on the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
Who can apply for India Post GDS posts?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and not more than 40 years old. The age will be calculated as on the last date of submission of the application. Age relaxation is available for eligible reserved category candidates.The upper age relaxation is as follows:
| Category | 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 |
Educational qualification
Candidates must have passed the Secondary School Examination, or Class 10, from a recognised board. They must have passing marks in Mathematics and English.Candidates must also have studied the local language prescribed for the relevant Circle up to Class 10. The notification gives a separate list of local languages for different postal Circles.Apart from this, candidates should have knowledge of computers, knowledge of cycling and adequate means of livelihood.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Application fee
The application fee is Rs 100 for the notified posts.However, female candidates, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and transgender women candidates are exempted from paying the fee.Candidates who have to pay the fee can use online payment options such as credit card, debit card, net banking and Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The fee, once paid, will not be refunded.
What will GDS employees do?
The duties will depend on the post.A BPM is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of a Branch Post Office and related postal services. BPMs may also handle mail delivery and other duties assigned by senior officers. Selected BPMs must arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office and reside in the post village.An ABPM assists the BPM with postal operations, sale of stamps and stationery, mail delivery and India Post Payments Bank transactions. ABPMs may also have to perform BPM duties when required.Dak Sevaks may work in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices and Delivery Centres. Their duties can include handling and delivering mail and parcels, assisting in postal operations and other work assigned by senior officials.
Salary and allowances
GDS employees are paid through the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA). The basic TRCA slabs at the time of initial engagement are:
| Post | TRCA slab |
|---|---|
| BPM | Rs 12,000 to Rs 29,380 |
| ABPM/Dak Sevak | Rs 10,000 to Rs 24,470 |
The TRCA carries a 3% annual increase subject to the conditions in the GDS Rules. GDS employees are also eligible for Dearness Allowance and certain other allowances and social security benefits.The notification also makes it clear that GDS employees are not regular employees of the Central Government, and their service conditions and benefits are different from those of regular Central Government employees.
How to apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
Candidates will have to complete the process online. The application process has two parts: One-Time Registration and submission of the online application.Candidates should follow these steps:
- Visit the GDS Online Engagement Portal.
- Complete the One-Time Registration using an active mobile number and email ID.
- Verify the mobile number and email ID through One Time Password (OTP).
- Enter personal details and Class 10 examination details.
- Note down the registration number and password.
- Log in using the registration number and password.
- Enter the required educational and other details.
- Select the eligible Division and give post preferences.
- Upload the recent photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Preview the application carefully.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Submit the application and keep a copy for future reference.
The Department has said that only one registration is allowed for each candidate. Multiple or duplicate registrations can lead to cancellation of candidature.Candidates should also make sure their name, parents’ names and date of birth match the details given on their Class 10 marksheet. Incorrect information can lead to cancellation of candidature.
How will candidates be selected?
There is no written examination mentioned in the notification. Candidates will be shortlisted through a system-generated merit list based on their Class 10 marks. The marks will be calculated to four decimal places for preparing the merit list.For candidates whose marksheets contain grades or grade points, the Department has prescribed a conversion method. Where a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is given, it will be multiplied by 9.5 to arrive at the marks.After shortlisting, candidates will have to undergo physical verification of their original documents. Those selected will then have to complete the required pre-engagement formalities.Candidates should therefore keep their original marksheet, identity proof, caste certificate, disability certificate, EWS certificate, date of birth proof and other applicable documents ready for verification. A medical certificate from a government medical facility is also required.
