**Online Application for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Recruitment 2026 – India Post**

The Department of Posts, commonly known as India Post, stands as a cornerstone of India’s communication infrastructure. Operating under the Ministry of Communications, it is the world’s most widely distributed postal system, boasting an unparalleled network of 164,999 post offices as of March 2025, including 149,385 rural and 15,614 urban branches. Beyond traditional mail delivery, India Post offers a spectrum of services:

• Money remittance through money orders
• Small Savings Schemes (SSS)
• Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI)
• Retail services like bill collection and form sales
• Government welfare disbursements (e.g., MGNREGS wages, old-age pensions)

With a legacy dating back to 1766 under Warren Hastings’ initiative as “Company Mail,” India Post evolved into a Crown service in 1854 under Lord Dalhousie, who introduced uniform postage rates and the India Post Office Act 1854. Today, it operates across 23 postal circles (plus a dedicated Armed Forces circle) and manages iconic heritage buildings like the Hikkim Post Office—the world’s highest at 4,400 meters in Spiti Valley.

In a significant expansion of its workforce, India Post has launched the GDS Recruitment 2026 to fill 28,740 vacancies for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) roles, including Branch Postmaster (BPM) and Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM). This recruitment drive is a golden opportunity for Class 10 pass candidates to join India’s premier postal network. The last date to apply is February 14, 2026, with a final submission deadline of February 16, 2026.

Key Highlight: Selection is based solely on a merit list derived from Class 10 marks—no written exam is required. The first merit list is expected on February 28, 2026.

Key Notes on Vacancies:

• Circle-Wise Distribution: Vacancies are allocated across India’s 23 postal circles, including specialized circles like the Armed Forces Postal Service.
• Reservations: Reservations apply as per Government of India norms for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD/Transwomen candidates.
• TRCA Slabs: Time-Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) varies by role and experience. BPMs receive higher pay due to additional responsibilities like managing branch post offices.

1. Educational Qualification

Candidates must meet the following academic requirements:

• Class 10 Pass: Must have passed the Secondary School Examination (Class 10) from a recognized board.
• Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics and English as compulsory or elective subjects in Class 10.
• Local Language Proficiency: Must have studied the local language (of the applied postal circle) at least up to Class 10.
• Computer Knowledge: Basic computer training certificate of at least 60 days from a recognized institute. Candidates who have studied computer as a subject in Class 10 or higher are exempted.

2. Age Limit (as of March 22, 2026)

The minimum and maximum age limits are as follows:

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 40 years

Age Relaxation: Applicable as per government rules: