The Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communications, has officially opened the gateway for one of the most anticipated government job opportunities of the year. The India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 aims to fill a massive 28,740 vacancies (with some reports suggesting over 30,000) across 23 postal circles. This recruitment drive for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), and Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) positions is a golden opportunity for 10th-pass candidates to secure a stable central government job without the pressure of a written entrance exam.
📅 India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
Timing is everything when it comes to high-competition government roles. Ensure you mark your calendars with these critical deadlines to avoid the last-minute rush.
| Event | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | January 30, 2026 |
| Online Registration Starts | January 31, 2026 |
| Application Submission Window | February 2 to February 16, 2026 (5 PM) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | February 16, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | February 18 to February 19, 2026 |
| Expected Date for 1st Merit List | February 28, 2026 |
🎯 Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
To maintain the integrity of the selection process, India Post has set clear educational and age-related standards.
- Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Secondary School Examination) from a recognized board.
- It is mandatory to have passed in Mathematics and English.
- Applicants must have studied the local language of their applied circle at least up to Class 10.
- Age Limit:
- The minimum age is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years.
- Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Ex-Servicemen) as per government norms.
- Other Requirements:
- Basic computer knowledge and cycling skills are required.
- Candidates must have adequate means of livelihood.
📸 India Post GDS Photo and Signature Guidelines 2026
A significant number of applications are rejected due to incorrect document uploads. Follow these precise technical specifications to ensure your application is validated.
Photograph Specifications
- Format: JPG or JPEG only.
- File Size: Between 30 KB and 100 KB.
- Dimensions: 320 × 400 pixels (4:5 Aspect Ratio).
- Resolution: 72 to 150 DPI.
- Coverage: The face must occupy 70–80% of the frame, centered and clear.
- Background: Use a plain white or light-colored background.
- Prohibited: Do not use selfies, scanned old photos, or images with shadows/red-eye.
Signature Specifications
- Format: JPG or JPEG only.
- File Size: Between 20 KB and 100 KB.
- Dimensions: 300 × 120 pixels (5:2 Aspect Ratio).
- Pen/Paper: Sign on white paper using a black or blue pen.
- Coverage: The signature must occupy 70–80% of the image space.
- Prohibited: Typed or digital text signatures will lead to immediate rejection.
📊 Selection Process & Merit List Calculation
The selection is purely merit-based. There is no written exam or interview conducted for these posts.
- Merit List Preparation: Candidates are shortlisted based on their Class 10 marks, calculated with accuracy up to four decimal places.
- Grade Conversion: For boards using grading systems, grades are converted into points by multiplying the grade point by 9.5.
- Tie-Breaker Rules: In case of identical scores, the following hierarchy is used to resolve the tie:
- Higher age.
- Reserved category priority (Order: ST Female, SC Female, OBC Female, UR Female, ST Male, SC Male, OBC Male, UR Male).
💰 Salary Structure (Pay Scale)
The pay scale for the various positions is categorized under the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA).
| Post Name | Monthly Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Branch Postmaster (BPM) | ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 |
| Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) / Dak Sevak | ₹10,000 – ₹24,470 |
📝 How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Process
Follow these steps on the official portal [suspicious link removed] to complete your registration.
- Step 1: Registration: New users must register with basic details to generate a User ID and password.
- Step 2: Fee Payment: A registration fee of ₹100 is required for General and OBC candidates. SC, ST, PwD, and all Female candidates are exempted from the fee.
- Step 3: Application Form: Log in and fill in educational details, select your preferred postal circle, and choose the posts you wish to apply for.
- Step 4: Document Upload: Upload your scanned photograph and signature according to the 2026 guidelines.
- Step 5: Final Submission: Review all entries carefully, as corrections are only possible during the limited two-day correction window.
📄 Required Documents for Verification
If your name appears on the merit list, you must present the following original documents for verification:
- Original Class 10 mark sheet and certificate.
- Proof of Date of Birth.
- Caste/Category certificate (if applicable).
- Computer training certificate.
- Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, etc.).
- Two sets of self-attested photocopies and recent passport-sized photographs.
Whether you are a recent 10th-pass student or looking for a stable government career, the India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 is a significant opportunity to join the nation’s largest postal network. Apply early to avoid last-minute technical glitches on the official portal.
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Official GDS Online Engagement Portal | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in |
| Direct Link to Apply Online | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in |
| Official Notification PDF | (Available on the homepage) |
| Merit List & Results Portal | |
| Old/Alternate Portal | indiapostgdsonline.cept.gov.in |