India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 | 28,740 Gramin Dak Sevak Posts | Online Form, Eligibility & Complete Guide

India Post has officially started the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment drive for 2026 under Notification No. 17-37/2025-GDS (Pt.I). A total of 28,740 vacancies are being filled for the posts of Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak across all postal circles in India. This is one of the largest rural government job opportunities available right now for candidates who have passed 10th standard.

The online registration window opened on 31 January 2026 and the last date to submit the form is 16 February 2026 (up to 5:00 PM). There is a small correction window from 18 February to 19 February 2026. Selection is purely merit-based on 10th marks — there is no written exam and no interview.

This recruitment is ideal for 10th-pass candidates who want a stable government job near their village or small town, with light work, flexible hours and the respect that comes with being part of the postal department. Many GDS employees later get regularised or promoted to Postman, Mail Guard or MTS posts after departmental exams.

Table of Contents

Important Dates – India Post GDS 2026

Event	Date / Status
Official Notification Release	Late January 2026
Online Application Start Date	31 January 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	16 February 2026 (05:00 PM)
Last Date for Fee Payment	16 February 2026
Application Form Correction Window	18 February to 19 February 2026
Merit List / Shortlist Release	April–June 2026 (circle-wise)
Document Verification & Engagement	May–September 2026 (circle-wise)
Joining / Training	July–December 2026 onwards

Note: These dates are confirmed from the official notification. Always visit indiapostgdsonline.gov.in for any last-minute changes or circle-specific notices.

Application Fee – India Post GDS 2026

Category	Application Fee
General / OBC / EWS	₹ 100
SC / ST / Female / PwBD	No fee (exempted)

Payment is accepted only online during application through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking or UPI. Fee is non-refundable.

Age Limit (as on 16 February 2026)

Category	Minimum Age	Maximum Age
General / OBC / EWS	18 years	40 years
SC / ST	18 years	45 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	18 years	43 years
PwBD	18 years	50 years

Age relaxation rules (additional as per government norms):

PwBD: +10 years
Widows / divorced women: Up to 45–50 years (category-wise)
Ex-Servicemen: Service rendered + 3 years

Final age is calculated as on 16 February 2026. Always check the exact cut-off in the official notification for your circle.

Educational Qualification

Post Name	Minimum Qualification Required	Additional Requirements
Branch Postmaster (BPM)	10th pass with passing marks in Mathematics & English	Basic computer knowledge, knowledge of cycling, adequate means of livelihood
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)	10th pass with passing marks in Mathematics & English	Basic computer knowledge, knowledge of cycling
Dak Sevak	10th pass with passing marks in Mathematics & English	Basic computer knowledge, knowledge of cycling

Important conditions:

Candidates must have studied the local language of the postal division up to 10th standard (proof required)
Knowledge of computer is mandatory (simple certificate or self-declaration accepted in some cases)
Knowledge of cycling is required for delivery-related duties (self-declaration)
Adequate means of livelihood — candidate should not be solely dependent on GDS income

Vacancy Details – 28,740 Posts (Circle-wise Snapshot)

Total vacancies: 28,740

Here is a partial list of major circles and approximate vacancies (as per the latest available data):

Postal Circle	Approximate 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
Karnataka	1,023
North East	1,014
Jharkhand	908
Assam	639
Rajasthan	634
Telangana	609
Himachal Pradesh	520
Uttarakhand	445
Haryana	270
Jammu & Kashmir	267
Punjab	262
Delhi	42
Other smaller circles	Balance
Total	28,740

Note: The above numbers are approximate and subject to final confirmation. Detailed circle-wise, category-wise (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) and division-wise vacancies are published on the official portal indiapostgdsonline.gov.in.

Salary & Pay Scale – GDS 2026

Post Name	TRCA Level	Basic TRCA Range (Monthly)	Approximate In-hand Salary (after deductions)
Branch Postmaster (BPM)	Level-2	₹12,000 – ₹29,380	₹18,000 – ₹25,000
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)	Level-1	₹10,000 – ₹24,470	₹15,000 – ₹21,000
Dak Sevak	Level-1	₹10,000 – ₹24,470	₹15,000 – ₹21,000

Additional Benefits

Dearness Allowance (DA) revised every 6 months
Gratuity after 10 years
Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (lump sum at exit)
Space money allowance for BPM (for using own premises)
Medical facilities under CGHS / state scheme
Paid leave, bonus, uniform allowance
Possibility of regularisation / promotion to Postman / Mail Guard / MTS after departmental exams

Selection Process – India Post GDS 2026

Selection is purely merit-based — no written exam and no interview.

Merit List Preparation
- Based on 10th standard marks (percentage calculated to 4 decimal places)
- Higher percentage = higher rank
Document Verification
- Shortlisted candidates called for certificate checking
- Original 10th marksheet, caste certificate (if applicable), local language proof, etc. required
Engagement / Joining
- After verification, selected candidates receive engagement letter
- Training and joining in respective branch post offices

Tie-breaking rule: If marks are equal, older candidate gets preference.

How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Guide

The application process is completely online and very simple.

Visit official portal: indiapostgdsonline.gov.in
Click “Apply Online” for GDS Recruitment 2026
Register with mobile number and email ID
Verify OTP sent to mobile and email
Fill personal details (name, father name, DOB, category, address)
Enter 10th marks, board name, roll number, passing year
Upload scanned photo (20–50 KB) and signature (10–20 KB)
Select preferred postal division / branch office (up to 5 preferences)
Preview the application carefully
Pay fee online (₹100 for General/OBC/EWS)
Submit the form and take printout of application / registration number

Note: Keep 10th marksheet, Aadhaar number, mobile and email active. Fill name, father name, DOB exactly as per 10th certificate.

Documents Required During Verification

Original 10th marksheet & passing certificate
Caste / category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS – if applicable)
PwBD certificate (if applicable)
Aadhaar card
Recent passport-size photographs
Local language proof (10th marksheet showing language studied)
Bank account details for salary
Character certificate (later stage)

Keep originals and self-attested photocopies ready.

Preparation & Important Tips

There is no exam — selection depends only on 10th marks.

Focus on:

High percentage in 10th — even 1–2% higher can make a big difference in merit rank
Apply in your own postal division / nearby divisions only
Choose correct branch office preferences carefully
Apply early (first week) to avoid server rush
Keep registration number safe for future login and merit list checking

Common mistakes to avoid

Entering wrong roll number or marks
Uploading unclear photo or signature
Applying from wrong division (must match permanent address)
Not uploading local language proof
Waiting till last day

Some Useful Important Links
Apply Online		Click Here
Download Notification		Click Here
Official Website		Click Here

Final Advice for Applicants

India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 with 28,740 vacancies is one of the largest rural government job opportunities for 10th-pass candidates. The job is near your home, work is light and respectable, salary is decent for rural areas, and you serve your community every day.

Start collecting documents now. Keep checking indiapostgdsonline.gov.in every day from 31 January 2026. Apply in the first few days so you avoid last-minute server issues. Fill the form carefully because correction window is short.