The Department of Posts (India Post), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification vide Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026. Applications are invited for the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak in various Circles and Divisions of the Department of Posts across India. There is no written examination; candidates are shortlisted purely on the basis of a system-generated merit list prepared from Class 10th marks.
As reported on multiple job-information portals citing the official vacancy annexure, the tentative total number of posts under this cycle is 23,757. The descriptive notification itself provides only a template for circle/division-wise vacancy numbers (Annexure-I), and states that the exact division-wise vacancy position will be available on the official portal. Candidates should check the circle/division they wish to apply to directly on the portal before submitting the application.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India |
| Recruitment Name | Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement, Schedule-II, July-2026 |
| Notification Number | 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20.08.2026 |
| Posts | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Total Tentative Vacancies | 23,757 (as reported from the official vacancy annexure; exact circle/division-wise figures are on the portal) |
| Mode of Application | Online only |
| Official Website | indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement |
| Selection Mode | No written exam; merit list based on Class 10th marks |
Important Dates
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online One-Time Registration (OTR) | 31 August 2026 to 19 September 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Submission of online application and fee payment | 2 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Correction/edit window in Registration/Application, including fee payment | 23 September 2026 to 24 September 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
The cut-off time for submitting the application and paying the fee is strictly 5:00 PM on the closing date. No extension is given for incomplete payments after this time.
Vacancy Details
The notification covers tentative vacancies for BPM, ABPM, and Dak Sevak posts across Circles and Divisions. The community-wise consolidation (OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD sub-categories, and UR) for each Division is published as Annexure-I on the official portal along with the office-wise, TRCA-wise, and language-wise vacancy list. This detail is not mentioned in a single consolidated figure inside the descriptive notification text — candidates must check the division-wise vacancy list relevant to their preferred Circle/Division directly on the portal before applying.
Educational Qualification
- Secondary School Examination (Class 10th / SSE) pass certificate with passing marks in Mathematics and English, from a Board recognised by the Central Government/State Governments/Union Territories.
- Candidates with an equivalent qualification from any other board are not eligible.
- The applicant must have studied the prescribed local language at least up to Class 10th, as per the Circle-wise list given in Annexure-III of the notification (special provisions apply for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, and Nagaland).
- Other requirements: knowledge of computers, knowledge of cycling, and adequate means of livelihood besides the GDS allowance (self-declared undertakings are required at the time of engagement).
Age Limit and Relaxation
Minimum age: 18 years; Maximum age: 40 years, calculated as on the last date of submission of the online application (21 September 2026).
| 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 |
Application Fee
- Fee: Rs. 100 for all notified posts in the choice of Division.
- Fee is exempted for all female applicants, SC/ST applicants, PwBD applicants, and Transwomen applicants.
- Fee can be paid online through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Bank charges as applicable will be levied.
- Fee once paid is not refunded under any circumstances.
Salary and Pay Level (TRCA)
GDS employees are not regular Central Government employees. They are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), with an annual increase of 3% subject to conditions, plus applicable Dearness Allowance and social security benefits (GDS Gratuity, Service Discharge Benefit Scheme).
| Category | Initial TRCA Slab |
|---|---|
| Branch Postmaster (BPM) | Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 29,380 |
| ABPM / Dak Sevak | Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 24,470 |
Reservation
- OBC, SC, and ST: as per the applicable state reservation percentage.
- EWS: 10% reservation (no age relaxation, but income/asset certificate required).
- PwBD: 1% reservation each across five sub-categories — Low Vision; Deaf/Hard of Hearing; One Arm/One Leg/Leprosy Cured/Dwarfism/Acid Attack Victim/Both Leg/Spinal Infirmity; Specific Learning Disability/Intellectual Disability; and Multiple Disabilities.
Selection Process
- System-generated merit list based on Class 10th marks/grades converted to a percentage (to 4 decimal places).
- Where marksheets show grades instead of marks, marks are derived using a multiplication factor of 9.5 against the grade point.
- In case of a tie, priority is decided by date of birth (older first) followed by a defined category and gender order specified in the notification.
- Shortlisted candidates undergo physical verification of documents before the Divisional/Unit Head within 15 days of shortlisting.
- On successful verification, a system-generated offer of provisional engagement is issued.
- Candidates must complete pre-engagement formalities, including 3 days of basic training and arrangement of accommodation (for BPM), within 30 days of the offer.
- Final engagement order is issued after verification of educational, caste, and other certificates, and police antecedent verification.
Documents Required at Verification
- Class 10th marksheet
- Identity proof and Date of Birth proof
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC), where applicable
- EWS certificate, where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Transgender certificate, where applicable
- Medical certificate from a Government hospital/dispensary/PHC (compulsory)
- Local/tribal language proficiency certificate, for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa, or Nagaland postings, where applicable
Candidates must also have a DigiLocker account, since the Department may verify Class 10th marksheets through the API Setu/DigiLocker portal.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official portal: indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) using a valid mobile number and email ID (each usable for one registration only), verified through OTP.
- Note the generated Registration Number and password sent by SMS.
- Log in and fill the online application: personal details, Board/educational details (Class 10th marks or grades), Division and post preference based on local language.
- Upload photograph (JPG/JPEG, 30–100 KB, 4:5 ratio) and signature (JPG/JPEG, 20–100 KB, 5:2 ratio) as per the prescribed specifications.
- Preview the application carefully and make corrections if required.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable, and submit the form.
Important Instructions
- Only one registration is permitted per candidate; duplicate registrations will lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Mobile number and email ID cannot be modified once registered.
- An applicant can apply for posts in only one Division, though multiple post preferences within that Division are allowed; only one post will finally be offered.
- The Department does not make phone calls to applicants; all official communication is through the Engaging Authority, SMS, or email only.
- The process of engagement for this cycle will close, and no further supplementary lists will be issued after 31 December 2026, unless the Department extends the timeline.
- The Department reserves the right to modify, cancel, or revise the number of posts at any time without assigning any reason.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering grades instead of marks (or vice versa) where the marksheet requires a specific format — this can lead to disqualification.
- Mismatch between the name, father’s name, mother’s name, or date of birth on the application and the Class 10th marksheet.
- Uploading blurred, scanned, or incorrectly sized photographs and signatures.
- Applying in a Division or for posts where the candidate does not meet the local language requirement.
- Waiting until the last day to apply, risking website load issues near the closing date.
Official Notification and Application Links
- Official GDS Online Engagement Portal
- Official Notification PDF (Descriptive Notification, Schedule-II, July-2026)
Important Note for Applicants
India Post never asks for payment through personal bank transfers, third-party links, or agents. Apply only through the official portal indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement, and read the complete descriptive notification carefully before applying, since eligibility and vacancy details vary by Circle, Division, and local language. Some figures reported by third-party job portals, including the total vacancy count of 23,757, are not stated as a single consolidated number within the notification text itself; always cross-check the division-wise vacancy annexure on the official portal for your preferred location.
What to Do Next
Eligible candidates should complete One-Time Registration from 31 August 2026 and submit the online application with the required fee between 2 September and 21 September 2026. Keep the Class 10th marksheet, identity proof, and category certificates ready in advance, since the entire selection process is based on Class 10th marks with no interview or written exam.
