India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 25,000+ BPM, ABPM & Dak Sevak Posts | Schedule-II, July

The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification for engagement to the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak across various Postal Circles and Divisions.

Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026 has been issued. The official notification invites applications for tentative vacant GDS posts, with division-wise vacancy positions made available through the GDS Online Engagement Portal.

Important: Many websites are currently describing this recruitment as 25,000+ vacancies, but the official 38-page notification does not state a single consolidated 25,000+ vacancy figure. It says the tentative vacancies are provided division-wise on the portal. Therefore, for a professional post, it is safer to write “25,000+ Posts (as reported/portal vacancy; division-wise vacancies to be checked on the official portal)” rather than claiming an exact official total.

📌 India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The official portal confirms that this is the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 cycle.

📅 India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

These dates are confirmed on the official India Post GDS portal and notification.

📋 India Post GDS Vacancy 2026

The recruitment is for the following GDS positions:

1. Branch Postmaster (BPM)

2. Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)

3. Dak Sevak

The official notification states that the tentative vacant posts for each Circle/Division are available through Annexure-I/official GDS portal.

⚠️ Category-Wise Vacancy

The official notification's vacancy annexure provides for community-wise consolidation including:

• UR

• EWS

• OBC

• SC

• ST

• PwBD categories

However, the final division-wise vacancy position is to be checked on the official portal, so an exact UR/OBC/EWS/SC/ST numerical table should not be published unless extracted from the live vacancy list.

🎓 India Post GDS Eligibility Criteria 2026

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have:

• Passed 10th Standard/Secondary School Examination from a recognized Board.

• Passed Mathematics and English as subjects.

• Studied the prescribed local language up to 10th Standard.

• Candidates must also have knowledge of:

  • 💻 Computer operation

  • 🚲 Cycling

  • 💰 Adequate means of livelihood

The official notification specifically states that equivalent qualifications from boards other than the recognized prescribed boards are not eligible.

🗣️ Local Language

The applicant must have studied the relevant local language at least up to the 10th standard. The prescribed language varies according to the Postal Circle/State. Special provisions apply to Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland.

🎂 India Post GDS Age Limit 2026

The age will be calculated on the last date of online application submission, i.e. 21 September 2026.

• 🔹 Minimum Age: 18 Years

• 🔹 Maximum Age: 40 Years

Age Relaxation

These age limits and relaxations are specified in the official notification.

💰 India Post GDS Salary 2026

GDS employees receive Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) along with applicable Dearness Allowance and other benefits.

The TRCA carries an annual increase of 3%, subject to applicable conditions. GDS employees may also receive applicable allowances and social-security benefits such as GDS Gratuity and Service Discharge Benefit Scheme.

⚠️ Important Job Condition

GDS is not a regular Central Government employee post. GDS personnel are holders of Civil Posts outside the regular Civil Services and generally work 4–5 hours per day. A GDS must also have another source of income for livelihood.

For BPM posts, the selected candidate is required to arrange suitable accommodation for the Branch Post Office and reside in the post village.

💳 India Post GDS Application Fee 2026

The ₹100 fee applies to candidates who are not covered by the exemption categories. Payment can be made through available online modes including card, net banking and UPI.

📝 India Post GDS Selection Process 2026

There is no written examination and no interview.

Selection will be based on a system-generated merit list prepared from the marks obtained in the Class 10 Secondary School Examination.

The marks are aggregated into percentage up to four decimal places. Where applicable, the notification provides rules for conversion of grades/points and CGPA.

Selection Stages

10th Marks → System-Generated Merit List → Shortlisting → Document Verification → Provisional Engagement

Shortlisted candidates must appear for physical verification of original documents.

📊 How India Post GDS Merit List is Prepared

The merit list is prepared using the marks obtained in the 10th Standard examination.

For candidates whose marksheets contain only grades/points, the Department has specified conversion rules. For example, the prescribed multiplication factor for grade-point conversion is 9.5. CGPA may also be converted using the prescribed methodology.

Therefore, 10th percentage is extremely important for GDS selection.

📑 Documents Required for Document Verification

Shortlisted candidates may be required to produce original documents including:

• 📄 Class 10 Marksheet/Certificate

• 🪪 Identity Proof

• 📜 Caste Certificate, if applicable

• 📜 PwBD Certificate, if applicable

• 📜 EWS Certificate, if applicable

• 📜 Transgender Certificate, if applicable

• 🎂 Date of Birth Proof

• 🏥 Government medical certificate

• 🗣️ Local/tribal language certificate wherever applicable

The official notification requires physical verification of original documents after shortlisting.

💻 How to Apply for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026

Candidates can apply online only through the official India Post GDS portal.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Visit the official GDS Online Engagement portal.

Step 2: Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) between 31 August and 19 September 2026.

Step 3: Use the generated Registration Number and password to log in.

Step 4: Enter educational and personal details exactly as mentioned in the Class 10 certificate.

Step 5: Select the eligible Circle/Division and give post preferences.

Step 6: Upload the prescribed recent photograph and signature.

Step 7: Pay ₹100 application fee, if applicable.

Step 8: Preview all details carefully.

Step 9: Submit the application before 21 September 2026, 5:00 PM.

Step 10: Save/print the submitted application for future reference.

The official instructions specify that candidates can select only one Division, after which eligible posts in that Division will be displayed for preference.