Gramin Dak Sevak(GDS) 2026 : 28,740 Vacancies Open at India Post

The official notification for the India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment for the January 2026 Schedule-I cycle has been released, marking a significant opportunity for job seekers across India. This massive recruitment drive aims to fill 28,740 vacancies for the positions of Branch Post Master (BPM) and Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPM) or Dak Sevak across 23 postal circles. The application process is entirely digital, requiring candidates to register and submit their forms through the India Post GDS Online Portal between 31 January and 16 February 2026. The department has also provided a short correction window on 18 and 19 February to rectify any errors in the submitted data.

Eligibility for these roles remains centered on academic performance at the secondary level. Candidates must have passed the Class 10 examination from a recognized board, with Mathematics and English as compulsory or elective subjects. A unique aspect of this recruitment is the complete absence of a written entrance examination or personal interview; selection is determined solely by a system-generated merit list based on the marks obtained in the 10th standard. Prospective applicants must be between 18 and 40 years of age, though standard government relaxations apply for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories. Additionally, mandatory requirements include proficiency in the local language of the applied circle, basic computer knowledge, and the ability to ride a bicycle or motorcycle to perform field duties effectively.

Financial compensation is structured under the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), with BPMs receiving a base scale of ₹12,000 to ₹29,380 and ABPMs earning between ₹10,000 and ₹24,470. With the first merit list expected as early as 28 February 2026, candidates are encouraged to complete their GDS Online Registration promptly to avoid last-minute technical delays.

GDS APPLICATION DATES

Online One-Time Registration	31 January 2026 to 14 February 2026 (up to 5:00 PM)
Submission of Online Applications	2 February 2026 to 16 February 2026 (up to 5:00 PM)
Fee Payment Deadline	16 February 2026
Application Correction Window	18 February to 19 February 2026
First Merit List Release	Tentatively scheduled for 28 February 2026.

GDS FEE DETAILS

General / OBC / EWS (Male)	₹100 per applicant
SC / ST / PwD / Transwomen / All Female Candidates	(Exempted from fee payment)

Important Notes

● Non-Refundable : The application fee, once paid, will not be refunded under any circumstances.

● Payment Deadline : Ensure the fee is paid by 16 February 2026 (5:00 PM) to avoid application rejection.

● Transaction Charges : While UPI and Debit Card (up to ₹2000) payments typically have nil charges, Credit Cards may incur a 1% transaction fee and Internet Banking a flat ₹10 fee.

GDS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Educational Qualification

● 10th Standard Pass : You must have a Secondary School Examination pass certificate of 10th standard from a recognized board.

● Compulsory Subjects : You must have passed Mathematics and English (as compulsory or elective subjects) in your 10th-grade exams.

● Local Language Proficiency : You must have studied the local language of the postal circle you are applying for at least up to the 10th standard and be able to read, write, and speak it.

GDS Age Limit (as of 16 February 2026)

● Minimum Age : 18 Years

● Maximum Age : 40 Years

● Age Relaxations :

○ SC/ST: 5 years (up to 45 years)

○ OBC: 3 years (up to 43 years)

○ PwBD: 10 years (up to 50 years)

○ PwBD + OBC: 13 years

○ PwBD + SC/ST: 15 years

GDS Additional Skills & Requirements

● Computer Knowledge : Applicants should have basic computer knowledge.

● Cycling Skills : The ability to ride a bicycle is mandatory as it is required for rural postal duties. Knowledge of riding a scooter or motorcycle is also acceptable.

● Means of Livelihood : Candidates must have adequate means of livelihood to support themselves, as GDS is considered a part-time engagement.

HOW TO FILL THE GDS FORM ?

To complete your application for the India Post GDS Recruitment 2026, follow these ten steps on the Official GDS Engagement Portal :

● Access the Portal : Visit the India Post GDS Online Portal and click on the “Registration” tab to start Stage 1.

● Verify Contact Details : Enter your active mobile number and email ID; click ‘Validate’ to receive and enter the OTP sent to each.

● Basic Registration : Fill in your name (as per 10th certificate), father’s name, date of birth, gender, and category.

● Education Details : Select the state where you passed your 10th standard and the year of passing, then submit to generate your unique Registration Number.

● Log In : Go to the “Apply Online” tab, enter your Registration Number, and select the Circle (state) you wish to apply for.

● Detailed Application : Fill in your permanent and communication addresses and select your School Board (e.g., CBSE, ICSE, or State Board).

● Enter Marks : Input your marks or grades for each subject exactly as they appear on your 10th Marksheet.

● Upload Documents : Upload a scanned passport-sized photograph (under 50kb) and your signature (under 20kb) in JPG/JPEG format.

● Choose Preferences : Select the Divisions and specific Post Offices within your chosen circle in order of your priority.

● Payment & Print : Complete the ₹100 fee payment (if applicable) and download the Application Preview to print a copy for your records.

GDS VACCANCY DETAILS

For the India Post GDS Schedule-I, January 2026 cycle, a total of 28,740 vacancies have been announced across 23 postal circles. These include positions for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak.

Circle-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

Postal Circle	Vacancies
Maharashtra	3,553
Uttar Pradesh	3,169
West Bengal	2,982
Madhya Pradesh	2,120
Tamil Nadu	2,009
Gujarat	1,830
Kerala	1,691
Bihar	1,347
Odisha	1,191
Chhattisgarh	1,155
Andhra Pradesh	1,060
Delhi	1,023
Karnataka	1,014
North Eastern	908
Jharkhand	639
Assam	634
Rajasthan	609
Telangana	520
Himachal Pradesh	445
Uttarakhand	270
Haryana	267
Jammu & Kashmir	262
Punjab	42
TOTAL	28,740

SALARY DETAILS

Post Name	Minimum TRCA (4 Hours/Level 1)	TRCA Slab (Range)
Branch Postmaster (BPM)	₹12,000 per month	₹12,000 – ₹29,380
ABPM / Dak Sevak	₹10,000 per month	₹10,000 – ₹24,470

Allowances: Selected candidates also receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and annual 3% increments.

MODES OF SELECTIONS

1. Automated Merit List Generation

The primary selection criterion is the marks obtained in the Secondary School Examination (10th Standard) from recognized boards.

● System-Generated : The merit list is automatically generated by the portal based on the data entered by the candidate.

● Calculation : Marks are aggregated and converted into a percentage with an accuracy of four decimal places.

● Tie-Breaking Rule : If two or more candidates have the same marks, the older candidate (based on Date of Birth) is given preference.

2. Grade Conversion Formula

For candidates whose boards provide Grades/Points instead of raw marks, a standardized multiplying factor is applied :

● Conversion Factor : Grade Points (GP) are multiplied by 9.5 to arrive at the marks/percentage.

● Dual Marksheets : If a marksheet shows both marks and grades, only the total marks (compulsory + elective) will be considered for calculation.

3. Document Verification (DV)

Once shortlisted in the merit list, candidates must undergo a two-stage physical verification :

● Stage 1 (Verifying Authority) : Conducted by the authority chosen by the applicant during registration.

● Stage 2 (Engaging Authority) : Final verification by the Department’s Divisional or Unit Head.

● Rejection Clause : Any discrepancy between the online marks entered and the original mark sheet leads to immediate disqualification.

4. Final Engagement

After successful document verification and a medical fitness check, candidates receive a provisional engagement letter. For Branch Postmaster (BPM) roles, candidates must also provide evidence of a suitable room/space to operate the branch post office before final joining.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Ques 1 : Does having a higher qualification (12th, Graduation) give me an advantage ?

Ans : No. Selection is strictly based on Class 10 (Secondary School Examination) marks. No additional weightage or priority is given for higher educational qualifications.

Ques 2 : Is there any written exam or interview for selection ?

Ans : No. There is no written examination or personal interview. Candidates are shortlisted through an automated, system-generated merit list derived from their 10th-standard scores.

Ques 3 : What happens if two candidates have the exact same marks ?

Ans : In the event of a tie, the older candidate (based on Date of Birth) is given preference in the merit list. If marks and age are identical, specific category-based tie-breaking rules as per the Department of Posts guidelines apply.

Ques 4 : Is a computer certificate mandatory at the time of application ?

Ans : While basic computer knowledge is required, most circles do not mandate a certificate at the application stage. However, a 60-day computer training certificate from a recognized institute is typically required during the physical document verification stage.