India Post GDS Recruitment The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India has released the official notification for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule–I, January 2026. Applications are invited for the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Dak Sevak across various postal circles in India.
State Wise Vacancy List GDS 2026
Uttar Pradesh-3169
Maharashtra-3553
West Bengal-2963
Madhya Pradesh-2102
Tamil Nadu-2009
Gujarat-1782
Kerala-1691
Bihar-1344
Odisha-1191
Chhattisgarh-1155
Andhra Pradesh-1060
Karnataka-1022
North Eastern-1014
Jharkhand-908
Assam-639
Rajasthan-634
Telangana-608
Himachal Pradesh-520
Uttarakhand-436
Jammu & Kashmir-267
Punjab-261
Haryana-270
Delhi-37
Age Limit Criteria for India Post GDS 2026
Minimum & Maximum Age Requirement: The Department of Posts has clearly defined the age limit for all candidates applying under the Gramin Dak Sevak Recruitment 2026. The minimum age required is 18 years, while the maximum age allowed is 40 years. The age of the applicant will be calculated as on the last date of submission of online applications. Candidates must ensure that their date of birth matches exactly with the details mentioned in the 10th class certificate to avoid rejection.
Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories: Relaxation in the upper age limit is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government of India rules. SC/ST candidates get 5 years, OBC candidates get 3 years, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) get 10 years relaxation. Additional relaxation up to 15 years is applicable for PwBD candidates belonging to SC/ST categories, ensuring equal opportunity for all sections.
Important Conditions in Age Calculation: The age mentioned by the candidate during online registration must be accurate and supported by valid documents. If any mismatch is found during document verification, the candidature will be cancelled immediately. The department does not allow any correction in date of birth after final submission. Therefore applicants are advised to carefully check their age eligibility before applying for BPM, ABPM or Dak Sevak posts.
No Relaxation for Certain Categories: It is important to note that Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates do not receive any age relaxation under this recruitment. The upper age limit of 40 years is strictly applicable to them. The relaxation benefits are only for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD categories as per official norms. Candidates must verify their category certificate and eligibility before filling the online application form.
Educational Qualification Details for GDS:
Basic Educational Requirement: The primary educational qualification required for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is pass in Secondary School Examination (10th Standard) from any recognized board in India. The candidate must have passed with marks in Mathematics and English as compulsory subjects. Only certificates issued by boards approved by the Government of India or State Governments will be considered valid for this recruitment.
Recognized Board Condition: Applicants must ensure that their 10th class certificate is issued by a recognized Board of School Education. Certificates from open schools or distance education boards are also acceptable if they are approved by competent authorities. The department will verify the authenticity of the board during document verification, and unrecognized qualifications will lead to cancellation.
Compulsory Subjects Rule: It is mandatory that candidates must have studied Mathematics and English at 10th level. Even if the applicant has higher qualifications like Inter or Degree, the eligibility will be decided only on the basis of 10th standard subjects. Without these two subjects in SSC, the application will be rejected at any stage of the recruitment process.
Local Language Requirement: The applicant should have studied the local language of the concerned state at least up to 10th standard. For example, candidates applying in Andhra Pradesh must have Telugu, in Tamil Nadu must have Tamil, and similarly for other states. This rule ensures that selected GDS employees can communicate effectively with local customers.
Special Language Provisions: Certain states like Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Sikkim have special provisions regarding local language knowledge. Candidates from these regions may be required to produce additional certificates proving proficiency in regional dialects or languages as prescribed by the respective state governments.
Computer Knowledge: Apart from academic qualification, the candidate must possess basic knowledge of computers and smartphones. The selected GDS will have to work on IPPB, mobile apps and postal software from the first day of engagement. An undertaking regarding computer literacy has to be submitted at the time of joining.
Cycling Knowledge: Another essential requirement is the ability to ride a bicycle or two-wheeler. Since GDS duties include mail delivery in rural areas, the candidate must be physically capable of performing field work. A declaration confirming cycling knowledge is compulsory during pre-engagement verification.
No Weightage for Higher Qualification: The department has clearly stated that higher educational qualifications like Intermediate, Degree or PG will not give any extra weightage. Selection will be purely based on marks obtained in 10th standard only. Therefore candidates should not expect any advantage for possessing higher studies.
Verification of Marksheets: After selection, the 10th marksheet of the candidate will be verified through DigiLocker/API Setu or the official website of the board. If any mismatch is found between online records and the document produced, the candidature will be rejected immediately, even after provisional selection.
Consequences of False Information: Candidates must enter educational details exactly as printed in the SSC certificate. If any fake or incorrect qualification is detected during verification, the applicant will be permanently disqualified and legal action may also be taken. Therefore only genuine and eligible candidates should apply for GDS 2026 posts.
Application Fee for GDS 2026:
Standard Fee Structure: For India Post Gramin Dak Sevak Recruitment 2026, the department has fixed an application fee of ₹100 for general category applicants. This fee is mandatory for all eligible male candidates belonging to UR, OBC and EWS categories. The fee must be paid during online application submission, and only after successful payment the form will be considered complete by the recruitment portal.
Exempted Categories: Certain applicants are completely exempted from paying the application fee. Female candidates of all categories, SC/ST applicants, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities and Transwomen candidates are not required to pay any amount. They can submit the online form directly without entering the payment section, and their applications will be accepted without any fee.
Online Payment Mode Only: The department accepts application fee only through online digital payment modes. Candidates can use Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking or UPI to complete the transaction. Offline modes like demand draft, challan or cash deposit are strictly not allowed. Applicants must ensure stable internet connection while making payment to avoid transaction failure. India Post GDS Recruitment
Payment Time Limit: During form submission, once the candidate reaches the payment page, the fee must be completed within 10 minutes time window provided by the system. If the payment is not completed in that duration, the session may expire and the candidate will need to restart the process. Therefore applicants are advised to keep their payment details ready beforehand.
Non-Refundable Clause: The application fee paid for GDS recruitment is strictly non-refundable. Even if the candidate later becomes ineligible, enters wrong details or decides not to participate, the amount will not be returned by the department. Hence every applicant must verify age, qualification and category before making the payment. India Post GDS Recruitment
Fee During Correction Window: A two-day edit window is provided after closing date for modifying application details. If a candidate changes category during this period and becomes fee liable, the additional fee must be paid again to validate the modification. However if a candidate becomes fee-exempt after editing, the earlier paid amount will not be refunded. India Post GDS Recruitment
Final Date for Fee Payment: The last date and time for payment of application fee is the same as the closing time of online application, which is 17:00 hours on the final date. Any payment initiated after this deadline will be rejected by the system automatically, and such applications will be treated as incomplete without any further consideration. India Post GDS Recruitment
Transaction Failure Issues: If money is deducted from the bank account but the application shows unpaid status, the candidate should wait for some time and check again. In many cases the amount is refunded automatically by the bank. The Department of Posts will not be responsible for failed transactions caused due to bank server or network problems.
Responsibility of Candidate: It is solely the responsibility of the applicant to ensure successful fee payment before final submission. The department will not entertain any request for manual confirmation of payment or extension of time. Candidates should keep transaction ID and payment receipt safely for future reference and document verification. India Post GDS Recruitment
Important Advisory: Before paying the application fee, candidates must carefully read all eligibility conditions including age limit, educational qualification and local language requirement. Paying fee does not guarantee selection or eligibility. Only those who fully satisfy all criteria should proceed with payment to avoid financial loss and rejection at later stages. India Post GDS Recruitment
Important Dates India Post GDS 2026
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Online One-Time Registration | 31-01-2026 to 14-02-2026 (up to 17:00 hrs) |
| Submission of Online Application & Fee Payment | 02-02-2026 to 16-02-2026 (up to 17:00 hrs) |
| Edit / Correction Window | 18-02-2026 to 19-02-2026 (up to 17:00 hrs) |
Application Fee Structure:
General Application Fee Structure: For the India Post Gramin Dak Sevak Recruitment 2026, the Department of Posts has fixed a standard application fee of ₹100 for eligible candidates. This fee is applicable to applicants belonging to General, OBC and EWS male categories. The payment must be completed during online submission, and only after successful fee confirmation will the application be treated as valid by the recruitment portal.
Fee Exemption Categories: The department has provided full fee exemption to specific categories to encourage wider participation. All female candidates, SC/ST applicants, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and Transwomen candidates are not required to pay any amount. These applicants can directly submit the online form without entering the payment gateway and their candidature will remain valid.
Accepted Payment Methods: Application fee can be paid only through online digital modes such as Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking and UPI. The department does not accept any offline method like bank challan, demand draft or cash deposit. Candidates should ensure that their card or UPI limit is active before starting the payment process to avoid transaction failure.
Time Limit for Payment: During submission, the system provides a limited 10-minute payment window after reaching the fee page. If the candidate fails to complete payment within this duration, the session may expire and the process must be restarted. Therefore applicants are advised to keep bank credentials ready before clicking the final submit option. India Post GDS Recruitment
Non-Refundable Policy: The fee once paid is strictly non-refundable under any circumstance. Even if the candidate later finds that he/she is ineligible or wishes to withdraw the application, the amount will not be returned. This rule is clearly mentioned in the notification, hence candidates must verify age, qualification and category before making payment. India Post GDS Recruitment
Fee During Correction Window: After closing of applications, a two-day edit window is provided. If a candidate modifies category or other details that make him liable to pay fee, the additional fee must be paid again for the edited application to be accepted. However if the candidate becomes fee-exempt after modification, the earlier paid amount will not be refunded.
Final Deadline Rules: Online fee payment is allowed only up to 17:00 hours on the last date of application submission. Any payment initiated after this cut-off time will be rejected automatically by the system. Applications with pending or incomplete payment after deadline will be treated as invalid and no extension will be granted by the department.
Failed Transaction Guidance: In some cases money may be deducted but application shows unpaid status due to bank issues. Candidates are advised to wait and check again after some time as banks usually auto-refund such amounts. The Department of Posts will not be responsible for technical failures occurring at bank or payment gateway side. India Post GDS Recruitment
Candidate Responsibility: It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that fee payment is successfully completed before final submission. Candidates should save transaction ID, payment receipt and application print for future reference. The department will not entertain any request for manual confirmation of payment at later stages. India Post GDS Recruitment
Advisory Before Payment: Applicants are strongly advised to read all eligibility conditions carefully before proceeding to pay the fee. Payment of ₹100 does not guarantee selection and will not compensate for incorrect details. Only those who fully satisfy age limit, educational qualification and local language rules should complete the fee process to avoid rejection. India Post GDS Recruitment
Selection System for GDS
Merit Based Selection System: The selection process for India Post GDS 2026 is completely merit based and there will be no written examination or interview. Candidates will be shortlisted through a system generated merit list prepared on the basis of marks obtained in the 10th standard. The entire process is automated and transparent, ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible applicants across the country.
Preparation of Merit List: Merit list will be prepared by calculating the percentage of marks in Secondary School Examination up to four decimal accuracy. Only the marks of 10th class will be considered and higher qualifications will not carry any extra weightage. The system will automatically convert grades or CGPA into marks using prescribed formula before generating the final rank. India Post GDS Recruitment
Grade to Marks Conversion: For boards that provide only grades, the department will convert grades into marks by using multiplication factor 9.5. Candidates are not required to convert grades manually while filling the form. The software will calculate equivalent marks during result preparation and any manual conversion done by applicant may lead to rejection. India Post GDS Recruitment
Tie Breaking Rules: If two or more candidates secure equal marks, the tie will be resolved through priority order such as higher age, category preference and gender rules prescribed by the department. Older candidates will get preference first, followed by reservation category sequence. The decision of the department in tie cases will be final and binding.
Communication of Result: The list of shortlisted candidates will be published on the GDS Online Engagement Portal. Selected applicants will also receive intimation through SMS and email on their registered mobile number and mail ID. However candidates must regularly check the official website because the department is not responsible for non-delivery of messages.
Document Verification Stage: Shortlisted candidates must attend physical document verification at the concerned Divisional Office within 15 days. Original certificates like 10th marksheet, caste certificate, ID proof and medical certificate must be produced. If any document is missing or mismatched, the candidature will be cancelled immediately.
Provisional Engagement Offer: After successful verification, a system generated provisional engagement offer will be issued to the candidate. The applicant must complete pre-engagement formalities including basic training and accommodation arrangement within 30 days. Failure to join within this period will result in automatic cancellation. India Post GDS Recruitment
Verification from Boards: The department will verify 10th certificates through API Setu / DigiLocker / Board websites. If online records do not match with the marksheet submitted by the candidate, the selection will be rejected even after provisional joining. Hence applicants must ensure their board data is correct before applying.
Supplementary Lists: If selected candidates do not report or fail in verification, the department will release supplementary merit lists. Candidates in waiting will be called in order of merit. This process will continue until vacancies are filled and the engagement process is scheduled to close by 30.06.2026.
Grounds of Rejection: Applications with wrong details, blurred photo/signature, duplicate registration or fake certificates will be rejected. Providing false information may also attract legal action. Therefore candidates must fill the form carefully and attend verification with genuine documents to secure final appointment as BPM/ABPM/Dak Sevak. India Post GDS Recruitment
How to Apply
Online Mode Only: Applications for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 can be submitted only through online mode on the official portal https://indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement. No offline forms, email or postal applications will be accepted. Candidates must have an active mobile number and email ID before starting the process because all future communication will be sent only to the registered contact details.
One-Time Registration (OTR): The first step is completing One-Time Registration on the portal. Candidates need to enter basic details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID and 10th board information. After verification through OTP, a Registration Number and Password will be generated. This registration is allowed only once and duplicate registrations will lead to rejection. India Post GDS Recruitment
Login and Fill Application: After receiving the registration credentials, candidates must login and click on “Apply Online” under the active GDS notification. Personal details will be auto-filled from OTR and remaining information like educational marks, category, address and local language must be entered carefully as per the 10th certificate to avoid mismatch during verification.
Enter Educational Details: Applicants must correctly fill their 10th class marks or grades exactly as printed in the marksheet. If the board provides grades, candidates should enter grades only and not convert them into marks manually. The system will automatically calculate percentage. Any wrong entry in educational details may result in cancellation at later stage. India Post GDS Recruitment
Division Selection & Preferences: Candidates can apply in only one Division but can choose multiple posts within that division by giving preference order. All eligible vacancies based on age, category and local language will be displayed on screen. The applicant must carefully select preferences because if shortlisted, only one post will be offered according to merit and preference.
Upload Photo & Signature: The applicant must upload recent photograph and signature in JPG/JPEG format as per prescribed size. Photo should be clear with white background and signature must be done on white paper with blue or black pen. Blurred or incorrect images will lead to rejection, therefore preview must be checked before final submission. India Post GDS Recruitment
Fee Payment: After filling all details, candidates (except exempted categories) must pay ₹100 application fee through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking or UPI. Payment must be completed within the given time window. Female, SC/ST, PwBD and Transwomen candidates can submit the form without payment.
Preview & Final Submit: Before final submission, the portal will show application preview. Candidates must recheck name, DOB, marks, category and preferences carefully. Once submitted, most details cannot be changed except during the two-day correction window. After final submit, take print of application form and payment receipt for future reference. India Post GDS Recruitment
Correction Window: After closing date, a two-day edit window will be provided to modify mistakes except mobile number and email ID. If changes require fee payment, it must be paid again. Candidates must ensure corrections are completed within this period because no request will be accepted later. India Post GDS Recruitment
Keep Documents Ready: Applicants should keep all original documents like 10th marksheet, ID proof, caste/EWS certificate and medical certificate ready for verification. After shortlisting, candidates must report to the Divisional Office within 15 days with originals. Failure to attend verification will result in automatic cancellation of candidature. India Post GDS Recruitment
Important Documents Required
- 10th Class Marksheet & Pass Certificate
- Date of Birth Proof (as per 10th certificate)
- Identity Proof – Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN Card
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC – if applicable)
- EWS Certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Transgender Certificate (if applicable)
- Medical Fitness Certificate issued by Govt. Hospital
- Local Language Proof (10th certificate showing language)
- Computer Knowledge Undertaking
- Cycling Ability Declaration
- Other Source of Income Undertaking
- Recent Passport Size Photographs
- Application Form Printout
- Fee Payment Receipt (if paid)
