India Post has opened the One-Time Registration (OTR) process for the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Recruitment 2026, offering 23,757 posts across postal circles. The registration window has opened today, August 31, while the actual application submission process will start on September 2.
The recruitment is being conducted under GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July 2026. Candidates should note one important distinction: registration has started, but the application form and fee payment are not open yet. The Department of Posts has scheduled those from September 2.
India Post GDS Registration Online Apply 2026: Check Direct link here
India Post GDS 2026: Registration begins today
The Department of Posts released the GDS Schedule-II notification on August 27, 2026. The recruitment is for Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak positions.
The first step is the One-Time Registration. It can be completed from August 31 to September 19, 2026, up to 5 pm. After registration, candidates will be able to submit their applications and pay the applicable fee between September 2 and September 21, 2026, up to 5 pm.
So, if you are planning to apply, there is no need to rush to submit an application today. But completing OTR early can save you from last-minute problems.
GDS Recruitment 2026: 23,757 vacancies
The 23,757 vacancies are spread across postal circles and different language categories. Maharashtra has the largest single language-category allocation with 2,297 Marathi posts, followed by Tamil Nadu with 2,118 Tamil posts and Uttar Pradesh with 1,691 Hindi posts.
Here is the complete circle-wise breakup:
| Postal circle | Language/category | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu | 917 |
| Assam | Assamese/Asomiya | 322 |
| Assam | Bengali | 77 |
| Assam | Bodo | 15 |
| Bihar | Hindi | 1,098 |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi | 762 |
| Delhi | Hindi | 16 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | 499 |
| Haryana | Hindi | 87 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi | 335 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Hindi/Urdu | 340 |
| Jharkhand | Hindi | 1,379 |
| Karnataka | Kannada | 1,116 |
| Kerala | Malayalam | 1,373 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | 1,450 |
| Maharashtra | Konkani/Marathi | 134 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | 2,297 |
| North Eastern | Bengali/Kak Barak | 179 |
| North Eastern | English/Hindi | 1,354 |
| North Eastern | English/Hindi and Garo | 296 |
| North Eastern | English/Hindi and Khasi | 369 |
| North Eastern | English/Manipuri | 306 |
| North Eastern | Mizo | 110 |
| Odisha | Oriya | 1,353 |
| Punjab | English/Hindi | 3 |
| Punjab | Punjabi | 119 |
| Rajasthan | Hindi | 1,009 |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 2,118 |
| Telangana | Telugu | 419 |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi | 452 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi | 1,691 |
| West Bengal | Bengali | 1,619 |
| West Bengal | Bengali/Nepali | 12 |
| West Bengal | English and Bhutia/Gurung/Lepcha/Nepali/Rai/Sherpa/Tamang | 86 |
| West Bengal | English/Hindi | 38 |
| West Bengal | Nepali | 7 |
| Total | — | 23,757 |
The official vacancy document shows the total as 23,757 , including reserved-category and PwD allocations.
India Post GDS 2026: Check important dates
Candidates should keep these dates handy because the registration and application windows are different.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | August 27, 2026 |
| OTR begins | August 31, 2026 |
| OTR last date | September 19, 2026, up to 5 pm |
| Application submission begins | September 2, 2026 |
| Application and fee payment last date | September 21, 2026, up to 5 pm |
| Correction window | September 23-24, 2026, up to 5 pm |
The dates are listed on the official GDS recruitment portal.
India Post GDS Recruitement 2026 Eligibility
Applicants should be between 18 and 40 years of age as on September 21, 2026, with relaxation applicable to eligible reserved categories. The basic educational qualification is Class 10 pass, with Mathematics and English as subjects. Candidates are also required to know the relevant local language for the post they are applying for.
Apart from this, candidates should have basic computer knowledge and know cycling.
What is India Post GDS salary?
GDS positions are not the same as regular Central Government jobs. The Department of Posts specifically states that Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular employees of the Central Government and their service conditions are governed by the GDS Rules.
The TRCA (Time Related Continuity Allowance) for BPMs ranges from Rs 12,000 to Rs 29,380, while ABPMs and Dak Sevaks can receive TRCA ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 24,470. The prescribed working period is generally between four and five hours a day. Candidates should therefore read the service conditions carefully instead of treating the recruitment as a conventional full-time Central Government appointment.
India Post GDS 2026 selection Process
One of the biggest attractions of the GDS recruitment is that there is no written examination. Selection will be based on a system-generated merit list prepared using marks obtained in Class 10, with marks calculated up to four decimal places. Shortlisted candidates will then have to go through document verification and medical examination before engagement.
That makes accuracy in the application particularly important. A mistake in marks, category, language, personal details or other information can create problems later.
India Post GDS 2026 Registration: Things to remember before clicking the submit button
This is where candidates need to be careful. Getting the form filled is only half the job.
First, check your Class 10 marks and personal details. Do not blindly copy information without verifying it against your certificates.
Second, select the postal circle and language carefully. The vacancy list is divided into circles and language categories, so candidates should make sure they meet the language requirement for the post selected.
Third, check your eligibility before completing OTR. The Department has made registration a mandatory step, and candidates should not create duplicate registrations.
Fourth, keep your mobile number and email ID active. These details are used for communication during the recruitment process.
Fifth, do not wait for the last few hours. The application deadline is September 21 at 5 pm, not midnight. The same applies to the OTR deadline of September 19 at 5 pm.
Finally, use only the official India Post recruitment website. The Department has warned candidates against relying on unauthorised or suspicious communications. Official recruitment communication is issued through email IDs ending in @indiapost.gov.in or @indiapostgdsonline.gov.in.
India Post GDS 2026 application fee
Male candidates belonging to the UR, OBC and EWS categories have to pay an application fee of Rs 100. SC, ST, PwBD, female and transwomen candidates are exempted from paying the fee. Candidates should check their category and fee status before completing the payment.
One more thing BPM candidates should know
Candidates applying for Branch Postmaster positions should not overlook the accommodation requirement. A selected BPM has to arrange accommodation for operating the Branch Post Office at their own cost and is required to reside in the post village. ABPMs and Dak Sevaks, meanwhile, have to reside within the delivery jurisdiction of the concerned Post Office.
In short, August 31 is the start of registration, not the last day to complete the entire application. The actual application process begins on September 2. Candidates should use the next couple of days to check their eligibility, Class 10 details, preferred circle and language before moving to the final application.
