India Post GDS (Schedule-II) 2026 Recruitment

The Department of Posts (India Post), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has released Notification No. 17-12/2026-GDS dated 2026-08-20 for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II (July-2026). The recruitment is for posts including Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak in offices across various Circles/Divisions. Eligible candidates who meet the age and educational requirements should apply online through the official GDS portal.

This engagement is meant to fill vacant GDS positions in different offices of the Department across India, primarily in rural areas. The online one-time registration (OTR) window runs from 2026-08-31 to 2026-09-19 (up to 1700 Hrs), while online applications along with fee payment (if applicable) are accepted from 2026-09-02 to 2026-09-21 (up to 1700 Hrs). After submission, candidates can use the correction window from 2026-09-23 to 2026-09-24 (up to 1700 Hrs). The engagement process closes by 2026-12-31. Selection is based on a system-generated merit list prepared from Secondary School Examination (10th standard) marks, with tie-breaking rules and a post-offer process that includes document verification and formalities after shortlisting.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

The notification is for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) posts—Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak—across various Circles/Divisions of the Department of Posts. The detailed vacancy position is provided circle-wise/division-wise in Annexure-I on the official GDS Online Engagement portal. The total number of vacancies is not specified in the provided text.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed the Secondary School Examination (SSE)/10th Standard from a recognized Board of School Education (Central/State/UT Government). The candidate must have passing marks in Mathematics and English. Equivalent qualifications from other boards are not accepted. In addition, candidates must have studied the local language (as prescribed post-wise in Annexure-III) at least up to 10th Standard from a recognized board.

Special provisions apply for local language requirements in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, and Nagaland. In such cases, candidates must have knowledge of specific tribal languages/dialects in addition to English/Hindi, and this is verified through certificates from designated authorities where those languages are not taught up to 10th Standard.

Other qualifications required include knowledge of computers, knowledge of cycling, and having adequate means of livelihood (other than GDS allowances).

Age Limit

As on the last date of application submission, the minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 40 years. Age relaxation is available for specific categories as per the notification.

Relaxation details are as follows: SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation; OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation; EWS candidates have no relaxation; PwBD candidates get 10 years relaxation; PwBD + OBC candidates get 13 years relaxation; and PwBD + SC/ST candidates get 15 years relaxation.

Application Fee

The fee is payable online using Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Once paid, the fee is not refunded.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official portal and start the online one-time registration (OTR) at https://indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement.
2. Use a valid, active mobile number and email ID. Complete OTP verification; note that both the mobile number and email ID are permanently locked after registration.
3. Fill personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, and father’s/mother’s name, and community exactly as per the SSC (10th) certificate.
4. After successful registration, note the system-generated Registration Number and password sent to your registered mobile/email.
5. Log in using the Registration Number and password and complete the online application form.
6. Enter personal details and educational details including the Circle, Board name, passing year, and marks obtained.
7. Select the Division and choose post preferences based on factors such as the local language studied, community, age, and PwBD status.
8. Upload a recent photograph (JPG/JPEG, 30–100 KB, 320×400 px) and signature (JPG/JPEG, 20–100 KB, 300×120 px).
9. Preview the application, make edits if required, and then proceed to final submission.
10. Complete fee payment online (only if applicable) and submit the application before the closing time.

Important note: Only one registration/application is permitted per candidate. Duplicate registrations will lead to cancellation of candidature. No documents are required to be uploaded except the photograph and signature.

Salary & Pay Scale

GDS posts are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA). The TRCA includes an annual increase of 3% (subject to conditions), along with Dearness Allowance and other social security benefits such as GDS Gratuity and the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme. The TRCA slabs mentioned in the provided information are:

Selection Process

Selection is based on a system-generated merit list prepared from marks obtained in the Secondary School Examination (10th standard). The marks are aggregated to a percentage (up to 4 decimal places). Where applicable, grades/points are converted into marks using a multiplication factor of 9.5 (for example, A1=10 points is converted using the factor to 9.5 marks).

In case of a tie, the tie-breaking order starts with date of birth (an older candidate gets priority). If still tied, a detailed category/gender-based priority order is applied in the sequence specified in the notification, including combinations such as 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, followed by the corresponding male categories in the same sequence.

Candidates can select multiple posts within one chosen Division and rank them by preference. If a candidate is found meritorious for more than one post, the offer will be restricted to the highest-preference post for which the candidate qualifies.

Post-selection steps: Shortlisted candidates are informed via SMS/Email and must report for physical verification of documents within 15 days of shortlisting. After successful verification, a system-generated Offer of Provisional Engagement is issued. Candidates then need to complete pre-engagement formalities, including a 3-day basic training and accommodation arrangement, within 30 days of the offer. The final engagement order is issued after receiving verification reports from issuing authorities and police antecedent verification.

Candidates are advised to maintain a DigiLocker account with their SSE marksheet and relevant certificates (such as caste/PwBD), as documents may be verified through API Setu/DigiLocker.

Eligible candidates should complete the one-time registration and submit their online application well before the last date of 2026-09-21 to avoid last-minute issues on the portal.