India Post GDS Recruitment Explained – Application Process, Eligibility & Merit System (2026)

If you have passed Class 10 and are looking for a stable government job — one that does not require a written exam, coaching, or years of preparation — the India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment is one of the most accessible central government opportunities available in India today.

No entrance exam. No interview. Selection purely on your Class 10 board marks. 28,636 vacancies across 23 postal circles in 2026 alone.

But accessible does not mean easy to navigate. Every recruitment cycle, thousands of eligible candidates either miss the application window, upload wrong documents, misunderstand the merit system, or get confused about eligibility. This guide explains every part of the India Post GDS recruitment — from what the post actually is, to how you apply, how the merit list works, and what to do after selection.

What is the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS)?

Gramin Dak Sevak literally means “Rural Postal Servant.” It is a category of postal employee engaged by the Department of Posts — under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India — to manage postal services in rural and semi-urban areas across India.

GDS employees are not regular government employees in the traditional sense. They are categorised as Extra-Departmental Agents (EDA), meaning they work for the department on a time-based engagement rather than a full 8-hour regular government posting. This is why GDS is also subject to a distinct salary structure (explained below) and requires the candidate to have an additional source of income.

Despite this, the GDS post carries all the benefits of a central government association — job security, increments, Dearness Allowance, and a clear promotion pathway to MTS, Postman, and PA/SA grade positions.

Three Posts Under GDS Recruitment

Every India Post GDS notification covers three distinct positions. Knowing the difference matters because eligibility criteria, working hours, and salary differ for each.

1. Branch Postmaster (BPM)

The BPM is the head of a Branch Post Office in a rural area. This is the most responsible GDS post and carries the highest pay.

Key responsibilities:

• Operating and managing all transactions of the Branch Post Office.

• Handling cash, mail delivery, savings bank accounts, money orders, and postal life insurance.

• Maintaining all official records of the branch.

• Selling stamps, postal stationery, and managing government scheme disbursements (like Aadhaar-enabled payment services).

Working hours: Minimum 5 hours per day.

2. Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)

The ABPM assists the BPM at the Branch Post Office and also performs independent postal delivery and doorstep service duties.

Working hours: Minimum 4 hours per day.​

3. Gramin Dak Sevak / Dak Sevak

This is the field-level postal worker responsible for mail delivery, collection, and related postal services in the assigned beat (area).

Working hours: Minimum 4 hours per day (beat-dependent).​

India Post GDS 2026 Recruitment Overview

The 2026 recruitment (Schedule-I, January 2026) is one of the largest GDS drives in recent years.

Eligibility Criteria for GDS 2026

Before applying, every candidate must verify these conditions. Applications from ineligible candidates are rejected — sometimes at document verification stage, which means the candidate loses time and opportunity.

Educational Qualification

• Must have passed the Secondary School Examination (Class 10) from a board recognised by the Central or State Government / Union Territory.

• Mathematics and English must be studied as subjects in Class 10 — either as core or elective subjects.

• Important: Higher qualifications (Class 12, graduation, postgraduation) provide no advantage in the GDS merit list. A candidate with a PhD and 62% in Class 10 is ranked below a Class 10-only candidate who scored 85%. The system evaluates only matriculation marks.

Age Limit

Age is calculated as on the last date of application submission.

Computer Knowledge

Basic computer knowledge is mandatory for all GDS posts. Candidates must have either:

• A computer training certificate from a recognised institution (minimum 60-day course), or

• Studied Computer Science as a subject in Class 10 or higher standard.

If you have studied Computer Science or IT in Class 10 or 12, your marksheet itself is proof. No separate certificate is needed in that case.

Local Language Requirement

The candidate must know the local language of the postal circle they are applying for. Specifically:

• Must have studied the local language as a subject up to at least Class 10.

• This is circle-specific — if applying for UP circle, Hindi knowledge (studied in Class 10) is required. For Tamil Nadu circle, Tamil; for Maharashtra, Marathi, and so on.

This condition exists because GDS employees serve rural communities and must communicate effectively with local residents.

Nationality

Must be a citizen of India.

Additional Source of Income (Critical Condition)

This is a unique condition specific to GDS recruitment that many aspirants are unaware of.​​

Because GDS is a part-time engagement (4–5 hours per day), the Department of Posts requires that selected candidates have an additional source of livelihood — farm income, family business, or other employment — to support themselves and their family beyond the GDS salary.

Before joining, candidates must submit an undertaking (Annexure-IV in the notification) confirming this. Failure to provide this undertaking can delay or cancel the joining process.​​

How to Apply for India Post GDS 2026

The entire application process is conducted online through the official portal: indiapostgdsonline.gov.in.

Step 1: Registration

Visit the official portal and click on “Register.” You will need:

• A valid mobile number (OTP verification).

• A valid email address.

• Your Class 10 roll number and board details.

After registration, a Registration Number and Password will be sent to your mobile/email. Save these immediately.

Step 2: Login and Fill Application Form

Log in with your Registration Number and fill in:

• Personal details: Name (as in Class 10 marksheet), date of birth, category, gender.

• Educational details: Class 10 board name, year of passing, total marks obtained, and subject-wise marks exactly as mentioned in your marksheet.

• Computer knowledge details.

• Local language details.

Important: Enter Class 10 marks exactly as printed on your marksheet — not rounded off, not estimated. Marks are computed to four decimal places and any discrepancy discovered at DV will cancel your candidature.

Step 3: Choose Your Circle and Division

You must select:

• The postal circle you are applying for (e.g., UP Circle, Maharashtra Circle).

• The specific postal division within the circle where vacancies exist.

• Up to 10 divisions can be selected in order of preference — the system assigns you to the highest-preference division where you rank within the merit list.

Selecting more divisions increases your chances of selection. Choose strategically — include divisions where competition may be lower, not just the one closest to your home.

Step 4: Upload Photo and Signature

Follow the official specifications for photo and signature upload as mentioned in the notification. The general requirements are the same as other central government portals: JPG/JPEG format, white background, recent passport-size photograph, and black-ink signature on white paper.​​

Step 5: Pay Application Fee

Fee can be paid via UPI, debit/credit card, net banking, or SBI challan.

After payment, download and print the final application form with your Application Number.

The GDS Merit System — Explained in Full Detail

This is the heart of GDS recruitment and the most misunderstood part. Understanding it clearly gives you a significant advantage in deciding whether and how to apply.

No Written Exam. Ever.

India Post GDS selection has no written examination, skill test, or interview at any stage. Selection is 100% based on Class 10 marks.

How Marks Are Calculated

The Department of Posts uses a computer-generated, automated merit list based on the following process:

1. The total marks obtained in Class 10 are converted to a percentage, computed to four decimal places (e.g., 78.3456%).

2. If a board issues grades instead of marks (like CGPA), the system converts grades to marks by multiplying by a factor of 9.5 and normalising to a maximum of 100.​

3. Subject-wise marks from the marksheet are taken directly — candidates should not attempt any self-conversion. If a subject has a grade but no marks, you can enter the grade as-is.​

Circle-Wise Merit Lists

Each postal circle has a completely independent merit list. This means:

• A candidate who scores 85% may be selected in a less competitive circle but not selected in a high-competition metropolitan circle.

• There is no national merit list — your rank is valid only within the circle and division you applied for.

• This is why applying to multiple divisions within a circle is strongly recommended.

How Ties Are Broken

When two or more candidates have the exact same percentage (computed to four decimal places), the tie is resolved in this order:

1. Age — the older candidate is preferred first.

2. If still tied — preference follows the order: ST Female → SC Female → OBC Female → EWS Female → UR Female → ST Male → SC Male → OBC Male → EWS Male → UR Male.

This tie-breaking policy means that in highly competitive divisions, even 0.0001% difference in Class 10 marks can determine selection.

No Weightage for Higher Qualifications

This point deserves emphasis. A graduate with 60% in Class 10 is ranked strictly below a Class 10-pass-only candidate with 75% in Class 10. Your degree, diploma, or post-graduation has zero impact on GDS merit.

Document Verification Process After Merit List

Once the merit list is published, shortlisted candidates must complete Document Verification (DV) within 15 days of the merit list date.

Documents Required at GDS DV

• Class 10 marksheet and certificate (original + 2 self-attested photocopies).​​

• Class 10 admit card / hall ticket.

• Computer certificate (if not studied in Class 10) — original + photocopy.​​

• Aadhaar Card.

• Caste/Community certificate (for reserved category candidates) — central government format.

• EWS certificate (current financial year, if applicable).​​

• Income certificate (as applicable).

• Medical fitness certificate (standard format, from registered medical officer).​​

• Passport-size photographs (4–6 copies).

• Printed copy of the application form.

• Undertaking of Additional Source of Income (Annexure-IV).​​

Carry originals of every document plus two sets of self-attested photocopies of each. DV is conducted at the divisional office of the postal circle where you are selected.​​

GDS Salary Structure (2026)

GDS employees are paid under the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) system — not under the standard Pay Matrix of the 7th Pay Commission. However, Dearness Allowance (DA) is paid on the TRCA amount.

Monthly TRCA Pay Scale

The starting TRCA is for 4 hours of work per day for BPM (5 hours in some cases) and 4 hours for ABPM/Dak Sevak.

Additional Allowances

• Dearness Allowance (DA): Currently 119% of basic TRCA — revised periodically along with central government DA announcements.

• TRCA increment: Annual increment is 3% of the TRCA slab.​

• No HRA or Transport Allowance in the traditional sense — but BPMs may receive an allowance for maintaining the Branch Post Office premises.

Additional Income Sources for GDS

Beyond the fixed TRCA, GDS employees — especially BPMs — can earn significant commission-based income from:​

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account openings and transactions.

• PLI / RPLI (Postal Life Insurance / Rural Postal Life Insurance) policy sales.

• Aadhaar enrolment and CELC (Common Enrolment of Life Certificate) services.

• Term Deposit, Recurring Deposit, and Savings Bank transactions at the branch.

Active BPMs who work their territory well report total monthly income significantly above the base TRCA from these combined sources.​

Career Growth After GDS

GDS is not a terminal position. There is a structured pathway for promotion and regularisation into the regular postal department.​​

• GDS to MTS / Postman / Mail Guard: Through a departmental competitive examination conducted annually.

• MTS to Postal Assistant (PA) / Sorting Assistant (SA): Through the next departmental exam.

• Once regularised as PA/SA, the employee falls under the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix (Level 4), with full central government benefits including GPF, Gratuity, and medical facilities.

GDS employees with good performance records and 2–3 years of service are eligible to appear for the departmental exam. This makes GDS not just a job but an entry point into the full central government postal cadre.

Key Things to Remember Before Applying

• Always apply on the official portal: indiapostgdsonline.gov.in — no other website is authorised to process applications.

• Select as many divisions as allowed (up to 10) to maximise your selection chances.

• Enter Class 10 marks exactly as on your marksheet — to the last digit, no rounding.​

• If your board uses grades, do not convert them yourself — enter grades as-is and let the system calculate.​

• Higher qualifications give no advantage — this system rewards your Class 10 performance only.

• Arrange the computer certificate before applying if you haven’t studied Computer Science in school.​

• The additional source of income undertaking is mandatory — arrange it before the DV date.​​

FAQs

Q. Is there any written exam in India Post GDS 2026?
No. The India Post GDS selection process has no written exam, skill test, or interview at any stage. Selection is entirely based on Class 10 marks.

Q. Can I apply for GDS if I have a graduation degree?
Yes. There is no upper qualification restriction. However, your degree will carry zero weightage in the merit list. Only Class 10 marks count.

Q. How many vacancies are there in GDS 2026?
The Schedule-I January 2026 notification announced 28,636 vacancies across 23 postal circles in India.

Q. What is the age limit for General category candidates?
18 to 40 years. Age is calculated as on the closing date of the application.

Q. What if my Class 10 board gives CGPA instead of percentage marks?
India Post converts CGPA to percentage by multiplying the CGPA by 9.5 and normalising to 100. You do not need to convert it yourself — enter grades as given on your marksheet.​

Q. Can I apply for multiple postal circles?
No. Each application cycle allows you to apply for one postal circle only. Within that circle, you can select up to 10 preferred divisions.

Q. What is the official website to apply for GDS 2026?
The only official application portal is indiapostgdsonline.gov.in. Do not apply on any other website.

Q. How soon after the merit list do I need to appear for DV?
Document Verification must be completed within 15 days of the merit list publication. Keep all documents ready well in advance.