India Post GDS and Postal Jobs: Eligibility, Merit Lists, How to Apply

Last updated: 13 October 2026 · By the Asuraa Team

Quick answer: India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) posts are filled without an exam, through a merit list based on Class 10 marks. Under the January 2025 schedule, candidates had to be 18 to 40, pass Class 10 with Mathematics and English, and know the local language. A Branch Postmaster's TRCA starts in the Rs 12,000 to Rs 29,380 slab and an ABPM or Dak Sevak's in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 24,470 slab (Department of Posts).

Key takeaways

• India Post GDS engagement has no written exam; a system-generated merit list ranks candidates on Class 10 marks up to four decimal places.
• The January 2025 GDS notification required an age of 18 to 40 and a Class 10 pass with passing marks in Mathematics and English.
• A Branch Postmaster's TRCA starts in the Rs 12,000 to Rs 29,380 slab and an ABPM or Dak Sevak's in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 24,470 slab, rising 3% a year.
• The GDS application fee is Rs 100, and women, SC/ST, PwD and transwomen candidates are exempt.
• Shortlisted GDS candidates must report for document verification within 15 days and complete three days of basic training within 30 days of the offer.

What is an India Post GDS job?

A Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) is a Department of Posts worker who runs or supports a rural branch post office, in one of three roles: Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) or Dak Sevak. GDS engagement is done without a written exam, through a merit list based on Class 10 marks.

The BPM is in charge of a branch post office, and ABPMs and Dak Sevaks work in the postal network alongside. All three are paid a Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) rather than a regular government pay scale, which is an important difference from postal jobs filled through competitive exams.

GDS posts are notified in "schedules" through an online engagement portal. The most recent schedule document available on the official GDS portal is Online Engagement Schedule-I, January 2025, under notification No. 17-02/2025-GDS dated 7 February 2025 (Department of Posts). The older portal now says it is no longer active and directs candidates to a new page on indiapost.gov.in (India Post GDS portal). For the next schedule, check the official notification there.

Who is eligible for India Post GDS?

You are eligible for GDS if you are 18 to 40 years old on the last date of application, passed Class 10 with passing marks in Mathematics and English, and studied the local language up to Class 10, according to the January 2025 notification (Department of Posts).

Higher qualifications do not add marks. A graduate and a Class 10 pass-out compete on their Class 10 marks alone.

How is the GDS merit list prepared?

The GDS merit list is generated by the system from your Class 10 marks, converted to a percentage up to four decimal places, according to the notification (Department of Posts). If your board gives grades, grade points are multiplied by 9.5 to get marks; where both CGPA and subject grades are available, the higher resulting mark is used.

Ties are broken in a fixed order that starts with age, with the older candidate placed first, followed by category and gender criteria set out in the notification. Because there is no exam, the cut-off for a popular division can sit very high, while remote posts sometimes close lower. That is why choosing your division and post preferences carefully matters more than anything else you control.

How much does a GDS earn?

A Branch Postmaster's TRCA starts in the slab of Rs 12,000 to Rs 29,380 a month, and an ABPM or Dak Sevak's in the slab of Rs 10,000 to Rs 24,470, according to the January 2025 notification (Department of Posts). TRCA rises by 3% a year, subject to the GDS rules, and Dearness Allowance is paid on top.

Your exact starting amount depends on the TRCA slab attached to your post. The notification lists the slabs, not a single figure, so check the slab for your post in the post-wise annexure.

How do you apply for India Post GDS?

You apply online through the GDS engagement portal during an open schedule, choosing one division and ranking posts within it. These steps follow the January 2025 notification:

1. Register on the official GDS portal with a valid mobile number and email. Only one registration is allowed.
2. Pay the Rs 100 fee online, unless you are exempt.
3. Choose one division and rank the eligible posts in order of preference. The portal shows only posts you are eligible for, based on age, category, disability status and local language.
4. Upload a recent photograph under 50 KB and a signature under 20 KB, both in JPG format.
5. Accept the undertakings and submit.

For the January 2025 schedule, applications ran from 10 February to 3 March 2025, with a correction window from 6 to 8 March 2025 (Department of Posts). Shortlisted candidates are published in lists by state; the portal shows a main list and several supplementary lists for that schedule (India Post GDS portal).

What happens after you are shortlisted?

After shortlisting, you must report to the named divisional head within 15 days with original documents, two sets of self-attested copies and a medical certificate from a government doctor (Department of Posts). If verification succeeds, you receive a provisional offer of engagement and must finish pre-engagement formalities, including three days of basic training, within 30 days.

Keep your Class 10 marksheet, caste or disability certificate, and proof of computer knowledge ready before the list comes out. If you miss the 15-day window, you risk losing the post to the next candidate on the list.

What do most guides on India Post GDS get wrong?

Most guides call GDS a "permanent central government job". It is an engagement with TRCA and Dearness Allowance under the GDS rules, not a regular post on a government pay level, so compare it honestly with exam-based jobs before you plan your career around it.

They also miss the scam angle. The GDS portal states that the Department of Posts does not call or send SMS messages to candidates asking for money, and warns against sharing your registration or mobile number with unknown callers (India Post GDS portal). Any "agent" promising a GDS post for a payment is a fraud; our guide to spotting fake job postings explains how to check.

Finally, a GDS engagement does not stop you preparing for other exams. You can keep preparing for the exam-based options covered in the government jobs for 12th pass guide.

What does a 90-day plan look like for a GDS applicant?

Because GDS has no exam, a 90-day plan is about readiness for the next schedule and building a back-up.

1. Days 1 to 10: Collect your Class 10 marksheet, category and disability certificates, and a computer course certificate if you have one. Check that your name and date of birth match across documents.
2. Days 11 to 30: Learn basic computer use (typing, email, simple data entry) and make sure you can ride a bicycle confidently, since both are eligibility conditions.
3. Days 31 to 45: Study the post-wise annexure of the last schedule for your circle to see which divisions had more posts.
4. Days 46 to 75: Start preparing for a back-up exam such as SSC or state-level posts; the jobs for 12th pass students guide lists options.
5. Days 76 to 90: Check indiapost.gov.in weekly for the next schedule and apply in the first week it opens.

If you are unsure which route fits you, an Asuraa mentor can help you plan. For the wider picture, see the government jobs in India guide and government job vs private IT job.

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• Defence Entries for Graduates: CDS, AFCAT, Agniveer and Tech Entries

FAQ

Is there an exam for India Post GDS?

No. GDS posts are filled through a system-generated merit list based on Class 10 marks, converted to a percentage up to four decimal places, according to the January 2025 notification. Grades are converted to marks by multiplying grade points by 9.5. Shortlisted candidates then go through document verification and a medical certificate check.

What is the age limit for India Post GDS?

The January 2025 GDS notification set the age band at 18 to 40 years on the last date of application. SC/ST candidates get five years of relaxation, OBC three years and PwD candidates 10 years, rising to 13 or 15 years for PwD candidates who are also OBC or SC/ST. There is no relaxation for EWS.

What is the salary of a GDS Branch Postmaster?

A Branch Postmaster is paid a Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) that starts in the Rs 12,000 to Rs 29,380 slab, per the January 2025 notification. ABPMs and Dak Sevaks start in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 24,470 slab. TRCA rises 3% a year under the GDS rules, and Dearness Allowance is paid on top.

Can a 12th pass or graduate apply for GDS?

Yes, as long as you meet the Class 10 conditions, including passing marks in Mathematics and English and the local language. Higher qualifications do not add marks, because the merit list uses only Class 10 marks. A graduate competes on the same basis as someone who stopped after Class 10.

How do I know if a GDS job offer is genuine?

Genuine GDS shortlists are published on the official portal and verification happens at the divisional office named in the list. The GDS portal states that the Department of Posts does not call or send SMS messages asking candidates for money. Anyone asking for a payment to secure a post is running a scam.

Final thoughts

India Post GDS rewards preparation you do before the schedule opens: clean documents, the right division choice and quick action after shortlisting. Use it as a stable base if it suits you, and keep building towards exam-based jobs or private roles. You can browse entry-level openings anytime on Asuraa's job search.