India Post (Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications)
India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 — 28,740 Gramin Dak Sevak Vacancies (BPM, ABPM, Dak Sevak)
Quick Information
| Post Name | Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Total Vacancies | 28,740 |
| Salary | Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) — not a regular government salary scale. GDS are not regular government employees but are given a fixed monthly allowance. Branch Postmaster (BPM): Basic TRCA ₹12,000/month (for 4 hours work/day), maximum ₹29,380 (after annual increments over years). Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak: Basic TRCA ₹10,000/month, maximum ₹24,470. Dearness Allowance on TRCA is also paid. Annual increment: 3% of TRCA. GDS are not eligible for HRA, TA, or regular government allowances. They receive TRCA + DA only. However, GDS get subsidised leave, gratuity, and a group insurance scheme. Service bond: GDS are expected to serve for a minimum period. |
| Organization | India Post (Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications) |
Important Dates
| Start Date | 2 February 2026 |
| Last Date | 16 February 2026 |
Selection Process
- 1**Merit List — No Written Examination** India Post GDS selection has NO written exam. Selection is entirely based on the marks scored in Class 10 (Matriculation) from any recognised Board. The system generates a merit list automatically based on: 1. Percentage of marks in Class 10 (including all subjects) 2. If two candidates have equal 10th marks
- 2preference goes to: the older candidate 3. Document Verification (DV) for shortlisted candidates India Post generates multiple rounds of merit lists as candidates accept or decline offers: - 1st Merit List → candidates who accept confirmed - 2nd Merit List → fills vacancies from those who declined - 3rd Merit List → further filling - And so on until all vacancies are filled **Document Verification:** Shortlisted candidates are called for document verification at the divisional/circle level office. Original documents required: 10th marksheet
- 310th certificate
- 4age proof
- 5caste certificate (if applicable)
- 6domicile/local language proof
- 7computer knowledge certificate.
How to Apply
Official Links
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India Post GDS 2026 — 28,740 Vacancies, No Exam Required
India Post GDS (Gramin Dak Sevak) is one of the most accessible government jobs in India. There's no written examination, no physical test, no interview. Your Class 10 marks determine your selection — that's it. India Post runs a system-generated merit list, and the candidates with the highest 10th percentage get the posting.
The 2026 recruitment has 28,740 vacancies across all postal circles in India. The 3rd merit list has been released. If you're on the current merit list, check indiapostgdsonline.gov.in immediately.
Three Posts — What Each Does
Branch Postmaster (BPM)
The BPM runs a Branch Post Office in a village or rural area. Responsibilities:
- Handling mail, speed post, and registered letters
- Operating IPPB (India Post Payments Bank) transactions
- Managing PLI (Postal Life Insurance) and RPLI (Rural PLI) policies
- Running Sukanya Samriddhi, NSC, and other small savings schemes
- Work hours: approximately 4 hours per day, 5 days a week at the branch
TRCA: ₹12,000/month starting.
Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
Assists the BPM at the branch office. Similar work but subordinate role. When the BPM is absent, the ABPM steps in.
TRCA: ₹10,000/month starting.
Dak Sevak
Beat-based mail delivery. Responsible for the delivery area (beat) assigned to them — delivering letters, parcels, and money orders door-to-door.
TRCA: ₹10,000/month starting.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | January 31, 2026 |
| Application Opens | February 2, 2026 |
| Application Closes | February 16, 2026 |
| 1st Merit List | March 2026 |
| 2nd Merit List | April 2026 |
| 3rd Merit List | May–June 2026 |
| Document Verification | Ongoing (circle-wise) |
Eligibility
Age: 18 to 40 years Qualification: Class 10 pass with Maths and English as subjects from a recognised Board Local language: Must know the language of the postal division applied for Computer knowledge: Basic level required (operating post office software)
How Selection Works
There is no written exam. India Post uses a purely mark-based merit system.
Your 10th percentage is your score. The system ranks all applicants for each vacancy in descending order of marks. The top-ranked candidate gets the offer for that vacancy. If they decline, the offer goes to the next candidate.
This has an important implication: candidates with very high 10th marks (90%+) have strong chances; candidates with 60–70% need to apply for less competitive circles/divisions.
Each state has its own Postal Circle. Competition levels vary significantly. Rural postal divisions in less-populated states or circles tend to have lower competition cutoffs than metro areas.
Merit list cutoffs in recent years:
- High competition circles (Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, TN): Cutoffs 85–95% in 10th
- Moderate competition circles: 78–88%
- Lower competition circles (North-East, Hilly regions): 65–80%
Check your circle's specific cutoff before applying in future cycles.
Salary — How TRCA Works
GDS are NOT regular government employees. They are paid through a system called Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) — a fixed monthly amount for approximately 4 hours of work per day.
| Post | Starting TRCA | Maximum TRCA |
|---|---|---|
| BPM | ₹12,000/month | ₹29,380/month |
| ABPM / Dak Sevak | ₹10,000/month | ₹24,470/month |
TRCA gets a 3% annual increment. It takes many years to reach the maximum.
Additional: Dearness Relief (DR) on TRCA is paid as per government rules. GDS are also eligible for gratuity and group insurance.
They are NOT eligible for HRA, TA, medical reimbursement, or the standard government allowances that regular employees get.
Postal Circles in India
India Post is organised into 23 Postal Circles, each covering one or more states:
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, North East (Arunachal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura), Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.
Apply only for the circle where you know the local language. Applying for a circle whose local language you don't know leads to rejection at document verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Class 12 or graduate students apply for GDS? Yes — higher qualifications are allowed. But only Class 10 marks are considered for merit. Your 12th or graduation marks don't help or hurt you.
Q: Is GDS a permanent government job? No. GDS are not regular government employees. They are "outsourced" workers engaged by India Post. Their service conditions are governed by GDS Rules, not Central Government Service Rules. However, it is a stable, long-term engagement.
Q: Can GDS get promoted to permanent Postal employee? Yes. There is a direct quota for GDS to be appointed as Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) in regular postal service. This path exists but is limited.
Q: I got selected in the 2nd merit list but haven't heard from my circle. What should I do? Log in to indiapostgdsonline.gov.in and check your application status. If selected, you'll receive a communication from the Divisional Superintendent. Respond promptly — delays can result in forfeiture of the offer.
Disclaimer: Salary (TRCA) figures and merit list details are based on official India Post GDS notification 2026 and publicly available recruitment data. Check indiapostgdsonline.gov.in for real-time merit list status.