The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has released Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026 for the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 cycle. Applications are invited for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak posts across all Postal Circles and Divisions in India. The exact vacancy count is not specified; 25,000+ posts are expected, with division-wise tentative vacancies available on the portal. One-Time Registration (OTR) opens on 31 August 2026 and online application submission runs from 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 at 17:00 hours at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement. There is no written examination; selection is entirely based on Class 10 marks. Application fee is Rs. 100, with full exemption for female, SC, ST, PwBD and Transwomen candidates.
Important – Read Before You Apply: Four things that will cost you your candidature. First, GDS are not regular Central Government employees — they receive Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), not a pay-scale salary; they are not entitled to CPC revisions, and they are not covered by central government pension schemes — the notification is explicit that GDS emoluments are not the same as regular employee pay. Second, the application submission deadline is 17:00 hours on 21 September 2026, not midnight — the OTR deadline is also 17:00 hours on 19 September; candidates who try to register or submit at 17:01 hours will find the portal closed and no extension is granted for technical reasons. Third, the mobile number and email ID entered at OTR cannot be modified under any circumstances — use your own permanent contact details, not a friend’s or relative’s; all correspondence from the portal goes only to these contacts. Fourth, for BPM posts, you must arrange your own accommodation for the Branch Post Office in the post village and reside there — BPM candidates who cannot commit to residing in the post village should not apply for BPM vacancies.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India |
| Notification No. | 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026 |
| Engagement Cycle | GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 |
| Posts | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Total Vacancies | Not specified – 25,000+ expected; check portal for division-wise list |
| Nature | GDS engagement – not regular Central Government employment |
| Emoluments | TRCA (not pay scale) – see post-wise TRCA below |
| Application Mode | Online only at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement |
| Application Fee | Rs. 100 (Nil for Female/SC/ST/PwBD/Transwomen) |
| OTR (Registration) Opens | 31 August 2026 |
| Application Submission Window | 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 at 17:00 hours |
| Edit/Correction Window | 23 September to 24 September 2026 at 17:00 hours |
| Selection Process | Merit list based on Class 10 marks — no written examination |
| Official Website | indiapost.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 20 August 2026 |
| OTR (One-Time Registration) opens | 31 August 2026 |
| OTR last date | 19 September 2026 at 17:00 hours |
| Online application submission opens | 2 September 2026 |
| Online application submission closes | 21 September 2026 at 17:00 hours |
| Fee payment last date | 21 September 2026 at 17:00 hours |
| Edit/Correction window | 23 September to 24 September 2026 at 17:00 hours |
| Last date for supplementary shortlist | 31 December 2026 (engagement process closes after this) |
All deadlines are strict. No extension is granted for technical issues or server load near the closing time.
Posts – Roles and Residency Conditions
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
In-charge of a single-handed Branch Post Office — day-to-day postal operations, IPPB transactions, marketing and promotion of Department of Posts services, mail conveyance and delivery. The BPM must arrange own accommodation for the Branch Post Office at the post village and must reside in that village.
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
Assists the BPM in sale of stamps and stationery, mail conveyance and doorstep delivery, IPPB transactions; may perform combined BPM duties when required. Must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.
Dak Sevak
Engaged in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices or Delivery Centres — handling mail and parcels, sale of stamps and stationery, IPPB transactions, and supporting the Postmaster or Sub-Postmaster. Must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.
Vacancy Details
The notification does not specify the total number of vacancies. Division-wise tentative vacancy positions — post-wise and category-wise — are published directly on the GDS Online Engagement Portal at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement. Candidates must check the portal for vacancies in their preferred division before applying. Reservations for OBC, SC, ST, EWS (10%) and PwBD categories are applied as per each state’s reservation percentage and as prescribed in the notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification:
Secondary School Examination (SSE) / Class 10 pass certificate with passing marks in Mathematics and English (compulsory or elective), from a Board recognised by Central or State Government. Equivalent qualifications from unrecognised boards are not acceptable.
Local Language:
Must have studied the local language prescribed for the relevant Circle and Division (as listed in Annexure-III of the notification) up to 10th standard from a recognised Board. Special provisions apply for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland.
Other Requirements:
Knowledge of computers; knowledge of cycling; and adequate means of livelihood besides GDS emoluments. These are submitted as undertakings at the time of engagement, not at the application stage.
Past experience or prior service of any kind is not considered for selection.
Age Limit
Age is reckoned as on the last date of application submission (21 September 2026).
| Category | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved/UR | 18 years | 40 years |
| SC/ST | 18 years | 45 years (5-year relaxation) |
| OBC | 18 years | 43 years (3-year relaxation) |
| PwBD (UR) | 18 years | 50 years (10-year relaxation) |
| PwBD + OBC | 18 years | 53 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 18 years | 55 years |
| EWS | 18 years | 40 years (no relaxation) |
TRCA (Emoluments)
GDS receive Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), not a regular pay scale. TRCA carries an annual increase of 3% subject to fulfilment of conditions under GDS Rules, plus Dearness Allowance on TRCA. GDS are also entitled to GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme.
| Post | Initial TRCA Slab |
|---|---|
| Branch Postmaster (BPM) | Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 29,380 per month |
| ABPM / Dak Sevak | Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 24,470 per month |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All male General/OBC/EWS candidates | Rs. 100 |
| Female candidates (all categories) | Nil |
| SC/ST candidates | Nil |
| PwBD candidates | Nil |
| Transwomen candidates | Nil |
Fee is paid online via Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI. Fee once paid is non-refundable and payment must be completed by 17:00 hours on 21 September 2026.
Selection Process
There is no written examination. Selection is entirely through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 (SSE) academic performance.
Merit calculation:
- Where marks are given: aggregate percentage is computed to 4 decimal places.
- Where only grades are given: marks are computed as Grade Point × 9.5 (e.g., A1 = Grade Point 10 × 9.5 = 95%). Where CGPA is given, marks are computed as CGPA × 9.5.
- Candidates must enter marks/grades exactly as on their marksheet — mixing formats causes disqualification.
Tie-breaking:
Date of birth (older candidate preferred), followed by a prescribed category and gender priority sequence per the notification.
After the merit list: Shortlisted candidates attend physical verification of original documents by the Divisional/Unit Head, followed by provisional engagement, pre-engagement formalities (including 3 days of basic training), and final regularisation after antecedent and document verification.
How to Apply
Step 1 – One-Time Registration (OTR) from 31 August 2026:
- Visit indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement.
- Complete OTR using a valid mobile number and email ID (verified via OTP).
- Enter personal details and Class 10 board/year of passing information to generate a unique Registration Number.
- Note the Registration Number and password received via SMS carefully.
Step 2 – Online Application from 2 September 2026:
- Log in with the Registration Number and password.
- Click “Apply Online” under the Active Notification tab.
- Fill in Personal Details, Board/Educational Details (Circle, Board Name, passing year, marks or grades), and select Division and post preferences from available vacancies.
- Upload photograph (JPG/JPEG, 30-100 KB, 320×400 pixels, 4:5 aspect ratio) and signature (JPG/JPEG, 20-100 KB, 300×120 pixels, 5:2 aspect ratio).
- Preview and verify all details.
- Pay the applicable fee (if any) within 10 minutes of initiating payment.
- Submit before 17:00 hours on 21 September 2026.
- Use the correction window (23-24 September 2026 at 17:00 hours) if any corrections are needed.
Important Instructions
- Only one registration per candidate. Multiple registrations or applications lead to cancellation of candidature.
- No documents need to be uploaded at the application stage, only photograph and signature. Original documents are verified at the physical verification stage.
- Name, Date of Birth, Father’s name and Mother’s name must match the Class 10 certificate exactly.
- Mobile number and email ID cannot be changed after OTR under any circumstances.
- Candidates dismissed/removed from Government service or GDS as a penalty are barred from applying.
- Candidates holding any elective office are not eligible.
- The Department does not make unsolicited phone calls; be alert to impersonation fraud.
- Vacancies are tentative and may be revised.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online – GDS Online Engagement Portal | Apply Now |
| Official Notification PDF – Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS | Apply Now |
| India Post Official Website | Apply Now |
Frequently Asked Questions – India Post GDS Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many vacancies are there in India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
✅ The notification does not specify the total count; 25,000+ posts are expected. Division-wise tentative vacancy positions for BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak posts are available on the GDS Online Engagement Portal at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement.
Q2. When does OTR open and when can I submit the application?
✅ OTR (One-Time Registration) opens on 31 August 2026. Online application submission opens on 2 September 2026 and closes on 21 September 2026 at 17:00 hours. Both OTR and application deadlines are strictly 17:00 hours — not midnight.
Q3. Is there a written examination for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
✅ No. There is no written examination. Selection is entirely through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 (SSE) marks or grades. No separate exam or interview is conducted.
Q4. What is the qualification required?
✅ Class 10 (Secondary School Examination) pass with passing marks in Mathematics and English from a recognised Board, and knowledge of the local language prescribed for the Circle up to 10th standard.
Q5. What is the application fee?
✅ Rs. 100 for male General, OBC and EWS candidates. The fee is nil for female candidates of all categories, SC, ST, PwBD and Transwomen candidates.
Q6. Are GDS regular Central Government employees?
✅ No. GDS are not regular Central Government employees. They receive Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) — Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 29,380 for BPM and Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 24,470 for ABPM/Dak Sevak — not a pay-scale salary. They are covered by GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme, not the regular central government pension.
Q7. How is the merit list prepared for GDS engagement?
✅ Based on Class 10 marks aggregated to a percentage up to 4 decimal places. Where only grades are available, the Grade Point is multiplied by 9.5 to convert to marks (e.g., A1 Grade Point 10 × 9.5 = 95%). Marks must be entered exactly as on the marksheet.
Q8. Can I change my mobile number or email after OTR?
✅ No. The mobile number and email ID entered at OTR cannot be modified under any circumstances. Use your own permanent, active contact details at registration.
Q9. What is the age limit?
✅ 18 to 40 years for Unreserved candidates as on 21 September 2026. SC/ST get 5-year relaxation, OBC 3 years, PwBD 10 years. EWS candidates are not entitled to any age relaxation.
Q10. Does the BPM have to live in the post village?
✅ Yes. The Branch Postmaster must arrange own accommodation for the Branch Post Office at the post village and must reside in that village. ABPM and Dak Sevak must reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.
Disclaimer: This article is based on Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026, issued by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, for the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 cycle, covering Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak posts across all Postal Circles and Divisions in India. Division-wise tentative vacancies are available at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement. OTR opens 31 August 2026; applications close 21 September 2026 at 17:00 hours. There is no written examination; selection is merit-based on Class 10 marks. GDS are not regular Central Government employees. Application fee is Rs. 100 with full exemption for female, SC, ST, PwBD and Transwomen candidates. Candidates must read the official 38-page notification in full before applying. JobShouter.com is not associated with the Department of Posts or the Ministry of Communications in any manner.
