India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 notification has been released by the Department of Posts, Government of India for engagement to the posts of Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), including Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak in different offices across India.

The notification is GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026, bearing Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026. The Department has invited eligible candidates to submit applications through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal. The vacancy details for individual Circles and Divisions are provided through the portal/Annexure-I.

Interested candidates must apply offline before the last date. This is a great opportunity for candidates looking for 10th pass government jobs in Assam.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The notification does not provide a single all-India vacancy figure in the main notification pages supplied here; it states that the tentative vacant posts in each Circle/Division are given in Annexure-I, with division-wise vacancy positions available on the portal.

India Post GDS Vacancy Details

GDS engagement is being conducted for the following categories of posts:

The actual office-wise and division-wise vacancies, including Post ID, TRCA, language and PIN code, are to be checked through the GDS Online Engagement Portal.

Important Dates India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

The notification specifically provides a two-day correction window after the closing date of online applications.

Educational Qualification

Candidates applying for GDS engagement must have passed the Secondary School Examination (10th standard) from a recognised Board of School Education conducted by the Government of India, State Governments or Union Territories.

Candidates must have passing marks in Mathematics and English.

The notification also clearly states that candidates with an equivalent qualification from another board are not eligible under this requirement.

Local Language Requirement

The applicant should have studied the local language at least up to 10th standard from a recognised board.

The post-wise local language requirements are provided in Annexure-III of the notification.

Special local-language provisions have been specified for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland. Candidates applying in these states should carefully check the language requirements applicable to the concerned posts.

Other Required Qualifications

Apart from the 10th-pass educational qualification, candidates must have:

• Knowledge of computers
• Knowledge of cycling
• Adequate means of livelihood

These requirements are specifically mentioned under the other qualifications section of the notification.

Selected candidates are also required to submit the prescribed undertakings regarding computer knowledge, cycling and having another source of income for livelihood.

Interested candidates may check: Latest Teaching Jobs 2026

Age Limit India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

The prescribed age limit for GDS engagement is:

Minimum Age: 18 years
Maximum Age: 40 years

Age will be calculated as on the last date of submission of applications.

Age Relaxation

The above relaxation is subject to the eligibility conditions and valid certificates prescribed in the notification.

GDS Salary / TRCA

GDS employees are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) rather than the regular salary structure applicable to Central Government employees.

The initial basic TRCA slabs mentioned in the notification are:

The TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to fulfilment of the conditions under the GDS Rules. GDS employees are also entitled to Dearness Allowance on TRCA and certain other allowances and social-security benefits as prescribed under the applicable rules.

Is GDS a Regular Government Job?

Candidates should understand an important point before applying.

GDS are not regular employees of the Department/Central Government, and their emoluments and allowances are not at par with regular Central Government employees.

Their service conditions are governed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, as revised from time to time. GDS holders are Civil Post holders outside the regular civil services.

GDS generally work for a minimum of 4 hours and maximum of 5 hours per day and cannot be retained as Sevak beyond 65 years of age. The notification also requires a GDS to have another source of income for adequate means of livelihood for himself/herself and family.

Job Profile

Branch Postmaster – BPM

The BPM is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Branch Post Office and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).

The duties can include postal operations, mail conveyance and delivery, marketing and promotion of Department products and services and customer-service-centre activities.

A selected BPM must arrange suitable accommodation for running the Branch Post Office at his/her own cost and must reside in the post village where the Branch Office functions.

Assistant Branch Postmaster – ABPM

ABPM duties include sale of stamps and stationery, conveyance and doorstep delivery of mail, IPPB transactions and assisting the BPM in postal operations.

An ABPM may also be required to perform combined BPM duties when ordered or when a BPM is unavailable.

ABPMs are required to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.

Dak Sevak

Dak Sevaks may work in Post Offices, Sorting Offices, Mail Offices, Transit Mail Offices, Delivery Centres and other Department of Posts offices.

Their duties can include mail handling, delivery of mail and parcels, handling mail bags, IPPB-related transactions, sale of stamps and stationery and assisting the Postmaster/Sub-Postmaster in the smooth functioning of the office.

Application Fee

The application fee is ₹100 for the posts notified in the candidate’s selected Division.

However, the following candidates are exempted from paying the fee:

• All female candidates
• SC candidates
• ST candidates
• PwBD candidates
• Transwomen candidates

Candidates who are required to pay the fee can use online payment methods including Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking and UPI. The fee once paid will not be refunded.

Selection Process

There is no written examination mentioned for the GDS selection process in this notification.

Candidates will be shortlisted through a system-generated merit list. The merit list will be prepared using the marks obtained in the 10th standard Secondary School Examination, with grades/points converted into marks wherever applicable. The percentage is calculated to an accuracy of 4 decimal places.

For candidates whose marksheet contains only grades, the notification specifies a 9.5 multiplication factor for converting Grade Points into marks. For example, Grade A1 has a Grade Point of 10 and is multiplied by 9.5.

Where CGPA is available, it is multiplied by 9.5. If both subject-wise grades and CGPA are available, the higher marks obtained through the applicable method will be considered.

Tie-Breaking in Merit

If two or more applicants have the same merit, the notification provides a specific priority order beginning with date of birth (older in age) followed by category and gender-related criteria.

The Department also reserves the right to introduce an additional criterion in case of a tie, with the Department’s decision being final.

How to Apply Online

Candidates have to apply online only through the GDS Online Engagement Portal. Applications through any other mode will not be accepted.

Step 1 – One-Time Registration

First, candidates need to complete One-Time Registration (OTR).

An active mobile number and E-mail ID are required because important communications, including shortlisting and provisional engagement information, will be sent to the registered mobile number and E-mail ID.

Candidates should keep the following information ready:

• Mobile number
• E-mail ID
• 10th Board details
• Year of passing 10th examination
• Personal details

After successful registration, a Registration Number will be generated and sent to the registered contact details.

Step 2 – Fill Online Application

After registration, candidates need to log in using the Registration Number and password.

The application process includes:

1. Personal details
2. Educational/Board details
3. Division selection
4. Post preference
5. Photograph and signature upload
6. Preview of application
7. Fee payment, if applicable
8. Final submission

Candidates should carefully verify all details before final submission.

Important Rule About Registration

Only one registration per candidate is permitted.

Multiple or duplicate registrations/applications are strictly prohibited. If duplicate registration is discovered at any stage, the candidature may be cancelled and appropriate action may be taken under the GDS Rules.

The mobile number and E-mail ID used for registration cannot subsequently be used for another applicant’s registration.

Document Verification

Shortlisted candidates will be informed through SMS and E-mail, and the shortlist will also be released on the GDS Online Engagement Portal.

After shortlisting, candidates have to report to the designated authority for physical verification of documents within 15 days. Failure to report within the prescribed period can result in cancellation of candidature.

Candidates will have to carry original documents and two sets of self-attested photocopies, as applicable, including:

• 10th marksheet
• Identity proof
• Caste certificate
• PwBD certificate
• EWS certificate
• Transgender certificate
• Date of Birth proof
• Medical certificate
• Relevant local-language/dialect certificate where applicable

A medical certificate from a Government Hospital, Government Dispensary, Government Primary Health Centre or similar Government medical facility is compulsory.

Provisional Engagement and Joining

After successful physical verification of original documents, a system-generated Offer of Provisional Engagement will be issued.

The selected candidate must complete the required pre-engagement formalities within 30 days from the date of the offer. These formalities include prescribed basic training of 3 days, accommodation arrangements where applicable and other requirements.

Failure to complete the formalities or join within the prescribed period may result in cancellation of candidature and the post may be offered to the next candidate.

Important Instructions

Candidates should keep the following points in mind:

• Apply only through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal.
• Only one registration is permitted.
• Enter your name, father’s/mother’s name and Date of Birth exactly as recorded in the 10th marksheet.
• Upload a clear recent photograph and signature.
• Blurred or illegible photographs/signatures can lead to rejection.
• Wrong or unnecessary documents/information can result in rejection.
• Past experience or previous service is not considered for selection.
• Candidates should regularly check the official portal for updates.
• The Department does not make phone calls to applicants/shortlisted candidates regarding such communications; candidates should be cautious about fraudulent calls asking for personal information.

Important Links India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

Official GDS Online Engagement Portal:
India Post GDS Online Engagement Portal

FAQs – India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

What is India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?

It is an online engagement process conducted by the Department of Posts for Gramin Dak Sevak posts, including BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak.

What is the qualification for GDS?

Candidates must have passed 10th standard, including passing marks in Mathematics and English, from a recognised Board.

What is the age limit?

The age limit is 18 to 40 years, with applicable relaxation for reserved and PwBD categories.

What is the GDS salary?

The initial TRCA slab is ₹12,000–₹29,380 for BPM and ₹10,000–₹24,470 for ABPM/Dak Sevak.

Is there an examination?

Selection is based on a system-generated merit list using 10th-standard marks/converted grades.

What is the application fee?

The fee is ₹100, while female, SC/ST, PwBD and Transwomen applicants are exempted.

What is the last date to apply?

Online applications and fee payment can be completed up to 21 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Is local-language knowledge required?

Yes. Candidates should have studied the prescribed local language at least up to 10th standard, subject to the special provisions mentioned for certain states.

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is an opportunity for 10th-pass candidates to seek engagement as BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak under the Department of Posts. Selection is based primarily on the 10th-standard merit, and candidates must fulfil the prescribed age, local-language, computer, cycling and livelihood requirements.

The One-Time Registration window is open from 31 August to 19 September 2026, while online application submission and fee payment are scheduled from 2 September to 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. A correction window is available on 23 and 24 September 2026.

Candidates should carefully read the complete notification, check the vacancy and local-language details for their preferred Division, enter their 10th marksheet details correctly and submit the application before the deadline.