India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 (Schedule-II): The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication, has released the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 notification (No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20.08.2026) for the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak in various Circles/Divisions across India. Eligible 10th pass candidates can apply online at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement from 02 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 (up to 5:00 PM). There is no written exam — selection is purely on a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Schedule-II — Overview
| Organization | Department of Posts (India Post), Ministry of Communication |
|---|---|
| Notification No. | 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20.08.2026 |
| Engagement Cycle | GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 |
| Post Names | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Vacancies | Circle/Division-wise (tentative) — as per Annexure-I on the portal |
| Job Location | All India (mostly rural Branch Post Offices) |
| Qualification | 10th Pass (with Mathematics & English) |
| Age Limit | 18–40 years (relaxation as per rules) |
| Selection Process | Merit-based (Class 10 marks), no written exam/interview |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Website | indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement |
GDS Schedule-II 2026 Important Dates
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online One-Time Registration (OTR) | 31.08.2026 to 19.09.2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs) |
| Submission of Online Application & Fee Payment | 02.09.2026 to 21.09.2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs) |
| Correction/Edit Window (incl. fee payment, if applicable) | 23.09.2026 to 24.09.2026 (up to 17:00 Hrs) |
| Closure of Engagement Process (no further shortlists after) | 31.12.2026 |
Note: Only one registration per candidate is permitted. Duplicate/multiple registrations or applications will lead to cancellation of candidature and action under GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020.
official Notification : https://www.indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement/pdf/descriptive-notification.pdf
Apply here https://app.indiapost.gov.in/gdscandidate
Application Fee
- All posts (per Division choice): ₹100/-
- Exempted categories: All Female applicants, SC/ST, PwBD and Transwomen applicants — no fee
- Payment mode: Online only — Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI (gateway charges extra, as applicable)
- Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances, so confirm your eligibility for the chosen Division before paying.
- Fee payment must be completed by 17:00 Hrs on the last date (21.09.2026). Applications with pending/incomplete payment after closing time will be rejected.
GDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
Age Limit (as on the last date of application)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 40 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation in Upper Age |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| EWS | No relaxation |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years |
Educational Qualification (as on date of notification)
- Secondary School Examination (10th standard) pass certificate with passing marks in Mathematics and English, from a recognized Board of School Education of the Government of India/State Governments/UTs. Equivalent qualifications from other boards are not accepted.
- The applicant must have studied the local language of the concerned Circle at least up to 10th standard from a recognized board (e.g., Telugu for Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Hindi for Bihar/UP/MP, Kannada for Karnataka, etc. — full list in Annexure-III of the notification).
- Special local-language provisions apply for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland — proficiency in notified tribal languages/dialects (or Konkani for Goa) is verified via a certificate from the designated authority at the time of document verification.
Other Mandatory Qualifications
- Knowledge of computers (undertaking at engagement — Annexure-VI)
- Knowledge of cycling / ability to ride a two-wheeler (Annexure-VII)
- Adequate means of livelihood — a GDS should have another income source besides the allowances paid by the Government (Annexure-VIII)
GDS Salary 2026 (TRCA Slabs)
GDS are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) with an annual increase of 3% (subject to conditions), plus Dearness Allowance on TRCA. They are also covered by GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (akin to NPS).
| Post | TRCA Slab |
|---|---|
| BPM | ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 |
| ABPM / Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 |
Important: GDS are not regular Central Government employees. They hold civil posts outside the civil services, work a minimum of 4 and maximum of 5 hours a day, mostly in rural areas, and cannot be retained beyond 65 years of age. Their service conditions are governed by the GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020.
Post-wise Job Profile
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
- Day-to-day postal operations of the Branch Post Office (BO) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
- Marketing/promotion of departmental products and operating Customer Service Centre (CSC) services
- Overall responsibility for the office in single-handed BOs, including mail conveyance and delivery; combined ABPM duties when ordered
- Accommodation: The selected BPM must arrange accommodation for the Branch Post Office at their own cost (per prescribed standards) and must reside in the post village.
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
- Sale of stamps/stationery, doorstep mail conveyance and delivery, mail exchange with the account office, IPPB transactions
- Assisting the BPM in postal operations and marketing; combined BPM duties when ordered
- Residence: Within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned BO
Dak Sevak
- Engaged in Post Offices, Sorting/Mail/Transit Mail Offices and Delivery Centres — stamp sales, mail/parcel handling, transhipment of bags, delivery, IPPB transactions
- Assisting the Postmaster/Sub-Postmaster in smooth functioning of departmental offices
- Residence: Within the delivery jurisdiction of the attached HO/SO
Reservation Details
- Reservation for SC/ST/OBC as per state reservation percentages; EWS — 10% (no age relaxation for EWS).
- PwBD reservation (1% each): (A) Low Vision; (B) Deaf/Hard of Hearing; (C) One Arm, One Leg, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victim, Both Leg*, Spinal Infirmity/Deformity without neurological/limb dysfunction; (D/E) Specific Learning Disability/Intellectual Disability and eligible Multiple Disabilities.
- *Both Leg (BL) candidates are eligible only for Dak Sevak posts; if selected for delivery duties they will be shifted to suitable non-delivery/stationery duties.
- Certificates must be in the prescribed format (Annexure-V). OBC candidates must not fall in the creamy layer as on the closing date of application. EWS certificates of the relevant financial year are valid if in force on the last application date.
- Temporary disability certificates: conditions “likely to improve” are not eligible for reservation; progressive/non-progressive/not-likely-to-improve conditions are eligible.
GDS Selection Process 2026
- No written exam, no interview. Shortlisting is done through a system-generated merit list based on marks obtained in the 10th standard, aggregated to a percentage accurate to 4 decimals.
- Grades/CGPA conversion: Where only grades are given, subject-wise marks are computed using a multiplication factor of 9.5 (A1=10×9.5, A2=9×9.5 … D=4×9.5). Where CGPA is provided, marks = CGPA × 9.5. If both subject grades and CGPA exist, the higher value is taken. Candidates should enter grades/points as printed — the system does the conversion.
- Marks vs grades: If your marksheet shows marks (or marks + grades), you must fill marks. Filling grades where marks exist can lead to cancellation. DBSE candidates must fill the percentage, not grade points. Tamil Nadu SBSE 2020-21 pass-certificate holders will be uniformly awarded 66.67% (select “Pass” per subject).
- Tie-breaker priority: DOB (older first) → ST trans-woman → ST female → SC trans-woman → SC female → OBC trans-woman → OBC female → EWS trans-woman → EWS female → UR trans-woman → UR female → then trans-male/male in the same community order.
- Fill your name, DOB, father’s and mother’s names exactly as per the Class X marksheet. Applications with incomplete data, wrong/unnecessary documents or blurred photo/signature will be rejected.
Document Verification & Joining
- Shortlisted candidates are informed via SMS/Email and the portal; they must report to the Divisional/Unit Head for physical verification of documents within 15 days of shortlisting, failing which they are marked “Non-turned up” and the candidature is auto-cancelled.
- Documents required (original + 2 sets of self-attested copies): Class 10 marksheet, identity proof, caste certificate, PwBD certificate, EWS certificate, transgender certificate, DOB proof, medical certificate from a Government hospital/dispensary/PHC (compulsory), and local-language proficiency certificate (for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa, Nagaland, where applicable).
- On successful verification, a system-generated Offer of Provisional Engagement is issued. Pre-engagement formalities — including 3 days’ basic training and accommodation arrangement (for BPM) — must be completed within 30 days, else the post goes to the next candidate.
- Final engagement order is issued after verification of certificates from issuing authorities and police antecedent verification.
- Candidates are advised to keep a DigiLocker account with marksheet/caste/PwBD certificates fetched, as the Department may verify Class X marksheets via API Setu/DigiLocker; any mismatch leads to rejection.
How to Apply Online for India Post GDS Schedule-II 2026
Step 1 — One-Time Registration (OTR): 31.08.2026 to 19.09.2026
- Visit indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement and click Candidate Login/Register → New Candidate Registration.
- Verify your own active mobile number and email ID via OTP (one mobile/email = one registration; these cannot be changed later).
- Enter personal details (name, DOB, gender, father’s/guardian’s name, mother’s name, community) strictly as per the Class X certificate.
- Note the Registration Number and password sent by SMS — these are your login credentials.
Step 2 — Online Application: 02.09.2026 to 21.09.2026
- Login with Registration Number and password, then click Apply Online under Active Notification.
- Fill personal details (auto-populated from OTR), Board/educational details and Class 10 marks/grades.
- Select ONE Division — eligible posts (based on community, age, PwBD status and local language) will be listed. Give preferences for all posts/Post IDs you want; you will not be considered for posts without a preference. If shortlisted, only one post (highest preference where suitable) is offered.
- Upload photo and signature:
- Photo: JPG/JPEG, 30–100 KB, ~320×400 px (4:5 ratio), plain white/light background, face 70–80% of frame, no selfies
- Signature: JPG/JPEG, 20–100 KB, ~300×120 px (5:2 ratio), black/blue pen on white paper, no typed text
- Preview the application, pay the fee (₹100, if applicable) and submit before 17:00 Hrs on 21.09.2026.
Step 3 — Correction Window: 23.09.2026 to 24.09.2026
- All fields except mobile number and email ID can be edited. Category changes requiring fee are accepted only with fee payment.
- Once resubmitted, no further correction is allowed. If a modification is started but not finally submitted, the earlier application stands for merit.
Important Instructions & Warnings
- The Department never makes phone calls to applicants — beware of fraud calls; do not share registration number/mobile/email with anyone.
- The Department is not responsible for non-delivery of SMS/Email — check the portal regularly for shortlists and updates.
- Candidates dismissed/removed/compulsorily retired from Government service/GDS as a penalty are barred from applying (undertaking as per Annexure-IV).
- No person holding an elective office will be considered; past experience/service carries no weightage in selection.
- Apply well before the last date to avoid last-minute server load issues.
Important Links
| Apply Online / Registration | Click Here |
|---|---|
| Download Notification (PDF) | Click Here |
| Official Website | indiapost.gov.in |
FAQs — India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 (Schedule-II)
What is the last date to apply for GDS Schedule-II 2026?
The last date for online application submission and fee payment is 21 September 2026 up to 5:00 PM. One-Time Registration is open from 31.08.2026 to 19.09.2026.
Is there any exam for India Post GDS recruitment?
No. There is no written exam or interview. Selection is through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks (percentage to 4 decimals), followed by document verification.
What is the application fee for GDS 2026?
₹100 for the chosen Division. Female, SC/ST, PwBD and Transwomen applicants are exempted from the fee.
What is the qualification for GDS posts?
Class 10 pass with passing marks in Mathematics and English from a recognized board, plus study of the concerned local language up to 10th standard. Knowledge of computers, cycling and adequate means of livelihood are also required.
What is the salary of GDS BPM and ABPM?
TRCA slab of ₹12,000–₹29,380 for BPM and ₹10,000–₹24,470 for ABPM/Dak Sevak, with 3% annual increase and Dearness Allowance.
Can I apply in more than one Division?
No. A candidate can apply for one or more posts within one Division only, giving post-wise preferences.
How many days do shortlisted candidates get for document verification?
Shortlisted candidates must report to the Divisional/Unit Head within 15 days of shortlisting; joining formalities must be completed within 30 days of the provisional engagement offer.
Till when will GDS Schedule-II shortlists be issued?
The engagement process closes on 31.12.2026; no further shortlisted candidate lists will be issued after this date (unless the Department extends it).