The Department of Posts has opened online applications for the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July 2026. This drive covers 23,757 vacancies for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak posts across different postal circles in India. Candidates who passed Class 10 from a recognised board can apply. There is no written exam for this recruitment. Selection depends only on marks scored in the Class 10 board exam. The application window is open from 2nd September to 21st September 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
This post explains the dates, vacancy details, eligibility rules, salary, fee, and the steps to apply online.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications |
| Post Names | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Total Vacancies | 23,757 |
| Notification Number | 17-12/2026-GDS dated 20 August 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| One Time Registration (OTR) | 31 August to 19 September 2026 |
| Application Submission | 2 September to 21 September 2026 |
| Selection Process | Merit list based on Class 10 marks, no written exam |
| Official Website | indiapost.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 August 2026 |
| OTR Start Date | 31 August 2026 |
| OTR Last Date | 19 September 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 2 September 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 21 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 21 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
The 23,757 posts are spread across postal circles in the country. Some circles have released a large number of vacancies this cycle. The North Eastern Circle has the highest count with 2,614 posts, followed by Maharashtra with 2,431 posts and Tamil Nadu with 2,118 posts. Andhra Pradesh has 917 vacancies, and Telangana has 419 posts. Candidates should check the official notification PDF for the exact circle wise and category wise break up before choosing their post preference.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Secondary School Examination) from a board recognised by the central or state government. Passing marks in Mathematics and English are compulsory in the Class 10 mark sheet. Candidates must also have studied the local language of the applied circle up to Class 10 level. This local language rule changes state to state, so applicants should confirm the exact language required for their circle. Basic knowledge of cycling is also expected, since GDS staff often travel within their local area for mail delivery work.
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Age Limit
The age limit for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is 18 to 40 years, counted as on the last date of application submission. Age relaxation is given to reserved categories as per government rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| EWS | No relaxation |
Application Fee
The application fee is ₹100 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. Female candidates, SC/ST candidates, PwBD candidates, and Transwomen candidates do not need to pay any fee. Payment can be made online through the application portal during the fee payment window.
India Post GDS Selection Process
There is no written test in this recruitment. A system generated merit list is prepared using the marks obtained in the Class 10 board exam. Marks or grades are converted into a percentage, calculated up to four decimal places, to prepare a fair ranking. Candidates who come in the merit list then go through document verification before final engagement.
India Post GDS Salary (TRCA)
GDS staff are paid under the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) system instead of a regular fixed salary. This amount increases by 3% every year along with applicable Dearness Allowance.
| Post | TRCA Range |
|---|---|
| Branch Postmaster (BPM) | ₹12,000 to ₹29,380 per month |
| Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) / Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 to ₹24,470 per month |
How To Apply Online
Candidates need to visit the official GDS engagement portal at indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement. First, complete the One Time Registration (OTR) by entering basic personal details. After OTR is done, log in and fill the online application form with education details, post preference, and circle preference. Upload a recent photograph and signature in the format asked on the portal. Pay the application fee if it applies to your category. Submit the form and save a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
Apply Online
| GDS Apply Online | Click Here |
Candidates who fulfill the eligibility conditions should complete their One Time Registration early and submit the application form well before the last date to avoid last minute technical issues on the portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a written exam for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
No. Selection is based only on Class 10 marks. There is no written test for GDS posts.
How many vacancies are there in this recruitment?
A total of 23,757 vacancies have been announced for BPM, ABPM, and Dak Sevak posts.
What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application and pay the fee is 21 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Candidates must be between 18 and 40 years of age as on the last date of application submission, with relaxation for reserved categories.
What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹100 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwBD, and female candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
How is the merit list prepared?
The merit list is generated using the percentage of marks scored in the Class 10 board exam, calculated up to four decimal places.
