The Department of Posts, Government of India, has released the India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 notification under Advertisement No. 17-37/2025-GDS (Pt.I), announcing 28,636 vacancies for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), Branch Postmaster (BPM), and Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) posts across 23 postal circles. Candidates who passed Class 10 and are aged between 18 and 40 years were eligible to apply. The online application window has now closed; the correction/edit window also closed at 17:00 hrs on 19 February 2026. Applicants who submitted their forms should monitor the official portal for the merit list release.
Key Highlights
| Recruitment Body | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India |
| Advertisement No. | 17-37/2025-GDS (Pt.I) |
| Post Names | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Asst. Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Total Vacancies | 28,636 |
| Postal Circles | 23 circles across India |
| Educational Qualification | 10th Pass (Matriculation) |
| Age Limit | 18–40 years (as on 16 February 2026) |
| Selection Basis | Class 10 merit (no written exam, no interview) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Fee (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹100 |
| Application Window | 31 January 2026 – 16 February 2026 (Closed) |
| Correction Window | 18 February – 19 February 2026 (Closed) |
| Official Portal | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in |
Vacancy and Post Details
A total of 28,636 vacancies have been notified under the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-I (January 2026). The three posts covered are Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak. Vacancies are distributed across all 23 postal circles in India. Circle-wise and category-wise breakdowns are available in the official notification PDF on the recruitment portal. The official notification does not publish a consolidated post-wise vacancy table in the sources verified; candidates should refer to the circle-specific annexures in the official PDF.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the Secondary School Examination (Class 10 / Matriculation) from a recognized board. Candidates must have studied the local language of the postal circle they are applying for up to the Class 10 level. Basic computer knowledge and cycling proficiency are prescribed conditions in the official notification.
Age Limit
The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years, calculated as on the last date of application submission (16 February 2026). Age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates as per Government of India rules. The specific relaxation quantum for each category is stated in the official notification.
Other Conditions
Candidates must have an active mobile number and email ID for registration. Multiple applications from the same candidate will result in cancellation of all submitted forms, as stated in the official notification.
Salary and Pay
GDS employees are paid through Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), not a standard pay scale. The TRCA carries an annual increment of 3%, subject to conditions specified in GDS Rules. Dearness Allowance on TRCA is also paid as declared by the Government of India from time to time. Additional benefits include GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme.
- Branch Postmaster (BPM): ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 per month
- ABPM / Dak Sevak: ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 per month
The TRCA range depends on the prescribed duty hours and the role as specified in the official notification.
Selection Process
There is no written examination or interview. Selection is entirely merit-based. A system-generated merit list is prepared using the marks obtained in the Class 10 board examination, aggregated to a percentage calculated up to four decimal places. For candidates whose marksheet shows both marks and grades/points, only total marks are used. Passing all subjects as per the respective board norms is mandatory. Merit lists are published circle-wise and category-wise on the official portal. Shortlisted candidates are then called for a two-stage document verification process conducted by the respective Divisional Head or Unit Head.
Important Dates
| Notification Release | 31 January 2026 |
| Online Registration Start | 31 January 2026 |
| Registration End Date | 14 February 2026 |
| Last Date for Application & Fee | 16 February 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Correction/Edit Window | 18–19 February 2026 (Closed) |
| Merit List Release | Not disclosed in the official notification |
Application Fee
The fee is payable online only through Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking, or other modes available on the portal at the time of application.
- General / OBC / EWS candidates: ₹100
- Female applicants, SC/ST, PwBD, and Transwomen applicants: Exempted (no fee)
The fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances, as stated in the official notification.
How to Apply
Note: The application window closed on 16 February 2026. The steps below are for reference for future cycles or for applicants who have already applied and need to track their application.
- Visit the official portal at indiapostgdsonline.gov.in (or indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement).
- Click on the registration link for GDS Online Engagement Schedule-I, January 2026.
- Register with a valid mobile number and active email ID. A registration number and password are generated upon successful registration.
- Log in using the registration number and password.
- Fill in the application form with personal, educational, and circle-preference details.
- Upload required documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) through the online payment gateway.
- Review the completed form and submit before the deadline.
- Download and save the final submission confirmation for future reference.
Candidates could apply for multiple postal circles, but a separate application and separate fee payment was required for each circle.
Documents Required
Candidates need to keep the following documents ready for upload during application and for document verification after merit list publication:
- Class 10 Marksheet and Certificate from a recognized board
- Caste/Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
- PwBD Certificate, if applicable
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature image
- Valid ID proof
- Computer proficiency certificate (as may be required)
The exact document specifications are listed in the official notification PDF. Candidates should refer to those specifications before uploading.
Offer and Notice Verification — Scam Warning
The only authentic source for India Post GDS recruitment is indiapostgdsonline.gov.in and indiapost.gov.in. Do not act on any recruitment notice circulated via WhatsApp, Telegram, or third-party job blogs, even if it carries India Post branding. No agent, coaching center, or individual can influence or guarantee GDS selection, which is a fully automated, system-generated merit process. Any person or entity demanding money in exchange for a GDS appointment letter is engaged in fraud. The Department of Posts does not send appointment letters before the official merit list is published on the portal. If you receive a suspicious offer, report it to the nearest post office or the relevant postal circle administration.
Official Links
- Official GDS Recruitment Portal — indiapostgdsonline.gov.in
- India Post GDS Online Engagement Page (indiapost.gov.in)
- India Post Official Website
Notification PDF: Available for download on the official GDS recruitment portal after login. Direct PDF link is not publicly listed outside the portal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is the India Post GDS 2026 application window still open?
No. The online application closed on 16 February 2026 at 5:00 PM. The correction/edit window also closed on 19 February 2026 at 5:00 PM. No new applications or edits can be submitted at this stage.
Q2. Is there a written exam for India Post GDS 2026?
No. The official notification confirms that no written exam or interview will be held. Selection is based entirely on a system-generated merit list derived from Class 10 marks.
Q3. What is the salary for GDS posts under this recruitment?
GDS employees receive Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA). BPMs receive ₹12,000–₹29,380 per month. ABPM and Dak Sevak posts carry ₹10,000–₹24,470 per month, with a 3% annual increment and Dearness Allowance as declared by the government.
Q4. Can a candidate apply to more than one postal circle?
Yes, as per the official notification, a candidate could apply to multiple circles, but a separate application form and fee payment was required for each circle.
Q5. When will the India Post GDS Merit List 2026 be released?
The merit list release date is not disclosed in the official notification. It will be published circle-wise and category-wise on indiapostgdsonline.gov.in. Candidates should monitor the official portal for updates.
Q6. What is the age limit, and is any relaxation available?
The age limit is 18 to 40 years, calculated as on 16 February 2026. Age relaxation is available for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates in accordance with Government of India rules, as detailed in the official notification.
