India Post GDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria: 10th Pass, Age Limit and Other Requirements

India Post GDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria: The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, has released the India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 notification for 23,757 tentative vacancies of Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), including Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak. The recruitment is being conducted under the GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026 cycle.

For candidates planning to apply, understanding the eligibility criteria is essential before completing the application. The recruitment is open to candidates who meet the prescribed educational, language, age and other requirements.

India Post GDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for BPM, ABPM and Dak Sevak posts are assessed based on the date of notification for educational qualification and the last date of application submission for age.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed the Secondary School Examination (SSE)/Class 10 from a Board recognised by the Government of India, State Governments or Union Territories. Passing marks in Mathematics and English are mandatory.

Candidates holding an equivalent qualification from any other board are not eligible under the notification.

Local Language Requirement

Another key part of the eligibility criteria is knowledge of the prescribed local language. Applicants must have studied the relevant local language for the post and Circle up to at least Class 10 from a recognised board. Special provisions apply to candidates applying in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim and Nagaland.

The prescribed local languages for different Circles are detailed in Annexure-III of the notification.

Other Requirements

Candidates must also have:

• Knowledge of computers
• Knowledge of cycling
• Adequate means of livelihood in addition to the GDS allowances

The latter requirements are to be submitted as undertakings at the time of engagement. Previous work experience or service of any kind is not considered for selection.

India Post GDS Age Limit and Relaxation

The minimum age prescribed for GDS recruitment is 18 years, while the maximum age is 40 years as on the last date of application submission.

The upper-age relaxation is as follows:

Candidates should carefully verify their age against the prescribed eligibility criteria before applying.

Selection Process

India Post will not conduct a written examination for GDS recruitment. Selection will be based entirely on a system-generated merit list prepared from Class 10 marks.

Marks or grades obtained in the Secondary School Examination are converted into a percentage up to four decimal places. Where applicable, grades and CGPA are converted using the prescribed 9.5 multiplication factor. Candidates must enter their marks or grades exactly as recorded on their marksheets, as incorrect entries can lead to cancellation or disqualification.

Shortlisted candidates must subsequently undergo physical verification of original documents and complete the prescribed pre-engagement formalities, including basic training and accommodation arrangements.

Important Dates and Vacancies

The notification was issued on 20 August 2026. One-Time Registration (OTR) is scheduled from 31 August to 19 September 2026, while applications and fee payment can be completed from 2 September to 21 September 2026, up to 5:00 PM. A correction window will remain open from 23 to 24 September 2026.

The recruitment covers 23,757 tentative vacancies across postal Circles and Divisions in India, with posts located in rural offices of the Department of Posts.

Application Fee

The application fee is ₹100 for eligible applicants who are not exempted. Female applicants, SC/ST candidates, PwBD candidates and Transwomen applicants are exempt from paying the fee.

Candidates should complete registration and application well before the deadline and carefully check all details before final submission. Only one registration is permitted, and candidates must enter their name, date of birth and parents’ names exactly as recorded on their Class 10 certificate.

Overall, candidates who satisfy the prescribed eligibility criteria, particularly the Class 10 qualification, local-language requirement and age conditions, can apply for the India Post GDS 2026 engagement through the official GDS Online Engagement Portal.

India Post GDS Application Dates 2026

Candidates should keep the important dates in mind before starting the application process.

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