India Post has activated the online application process for GDS Recruitment 2026, with the One-Time Registration (OTR) window already live. Candidates can now register for the Gramin Dak Sevak recruitment and proceed with their applications for the July 2026 Schedule-II engagement drive.
The recruitment drive covers 23,757 GDS vacancies across different postal circles. Candidates should note that OTR registration and application submission are separate stages, and completing OTR alone does not mean the application has been submitted.
Is the India Post GDS 2026 OTR link active?
Yes. The India Post GDS 2026 OTR link is currently active on the official GDS Online Engagement portal.
According to the Department of Posts, the OTR window opened on August 31, 2026, and will remain available until September 19, 2026, at 5 PM. The online application submission window started on September 2 and will close on September 21, 2026, at 5 PM.
Official GDS registration portal: India Post GDS Online Engagement
There is also an important change for candidates who have participated in earlier GDS recruitment schedules: previous registration numbers are not valid for this recruitment. Applicants must register afresh.
What are the important India Post GDS 2026 dates?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | August 20, 2026 |
| OTR registration begins | August 31, 2026 |
| OTR registration last date | September 19, 2026, 5 PM |
| Online application begins | September 2, 2026 |
| Online application last date | September 21, 2026, 5 PM |
| Correction window | September 23–24, 2026, 5 PM |
The dates above are specified in the official Department of Posts notification.
What should applicants do after the GDS OTR link is activated?
Candidates need to complete two separate stages: first the One-Time Registration and then the online application.
1. Complete One-Time Registration
Visit the official GDS Online Engagement portal and select the registration option.
Applicants need an active mobile number and email ID, both of which are verified through OTP. Candidates should also keep their Class 10 examination details available, including the board and year of passing.
2. Enter personal details carefully
The OTR form requires information such as the candidate's name, date of birth, gender, father's/guardian's name, mother's name and community.
India Post specifically advises candidates to enter these details carefully and ensure they match their Class 10 matriculation certificate. Incorrect information can result in cancellation of candidature.
3. Save the registration number
After successful registration, a unique registration number and password are generated.
The registration number is required for logging in and submitting the actual GDS application, so candidates should save it securely.
4. Log in and click Apply Online
Once the application window opens, candidates can log in using their registration number and password.
The official instructions say applicants should select the Apply Online option under the active GDS notification and complete the remaining application details.
5. Enter education and preference details
Candidates will have to provide their Class 10 educational information, including the board, passing year and marks.
They will then be shown eligible circles/divisions based on factors including the local language studied at the secondary-school level and vacancies available in those areas.
6. Upload photograph and signature
Applicants must upload their recent photograph and signature according to the specifications given on the portal.
Importantly, the notification says candidates do not have to upload documents along with the application at this stage, although photograph and signature uploads are required. Supporting certificates may be required later during physical document verification.
7. Pay the application fee, if applicable
The application fee is ₹100 for candidates who are not covered by the exemption categories.
Female candidates, SC/ST candidates, PwBD candidates and Transwomen candidates are exempt from paying the fee.
The fee can be paid online through available payment methods including cards, net banking and UPI.
Who is eligible for India Post GDS Recruitment 2026?
The basic educational requirement is a Class 10/Secondary School Examination pass certificate from a recognised board, with passing marks in Mathematics and English.
Candidates must also have studied the prescribed local language up to Class 10 for the relevant postal circle.
The basic age requirement is:
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 40 years
Age relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories. The notification specifies five years for SC/ST candidates, three years for OBC candidates and 10 years for PwBD candidates, with additional relaxation in certain combinations.
Candidates also need knowledge of computers and cycling, along with adequate means of livelihood as specified in the notification.
How will India Post select GDS candidates?
One of the biggest points applicants should know is that the GDS selection process is based on a system-generated merit list.
The merit list is prepared using marks obtained in the Class 10 Secondary School Examination, with the marks aggregated into a percentage calculated to four decimal places.
This means candidates should not expect a conventional written examination for this recruitment.
Where candidates have grades or CGPA instead of conventional marks, India Post has specified conversion rules for calculating the merit score.
How many vacancies are available under India Post GDS 2026?
The current recruitment drive has 23,757 vacancies for GDS positions across India.
The vacancies cover posts such as:
- Branch Postmaster (BPM)
- Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)
- Dak Sevak
The official notification states that vacancies are distributed across different postal circles and divisions.
What salary will GDS candidates receive?
GDS employees are paid through the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) structure rather than the regular Central Government employee pay structure.
The notification lists the initial TRCA slabs as:
| Post | Initial TRCA slab |
|---|---|
| BPM | ₹12,000–₹29,380 |
| ABPM/Dak Sevak | ₹10,000–₹24,470 |
GDS employees can also receive applicable Dearness Allowance and other benefits under the GDS rules.
However, applicants should understand that GDS positions are not regular Central Government employee posts, and their service conditions and entitlements are different from those of regular government employees.
What is the biggest mistake applicants should avoid?
The biggest mistake is assuming that OTR registration equals application submission.
It does not.
The process has two stages:
OTR → Online Application → Fee Payment, if applicable → Final Submission
Candidates who complete only the OTR stage will still need to log in and submit the actual application during the application window.
Applicants should also avoid creating duplicate registrations. India Post states that only one registration per candidate is permitted and duplicate registrations can lead to cancellation.
Can candidates correct their GDS application after submission?
Yes. India Post has provided a dedicated correction window from September 23 to September 24, 2026, until 5 PM.
Candidates should nevertheless enter their details carefully from the beginning because mistakes in important personal information can create problems during verification.
What should GDS applicants do today?
For candidates planning to apply, the safest approach is to complete the process in this order:
- Visit the official India Post GDS portal.
- Complete fresh OTR registration.
- Verify your mobile number and email through OTP.
- Enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your Class 10 certificate.
- Save your registration number and password.
- Log in and complete the online application.
- Enter Class 10 marks and educational details carefully.
- Select the eligible circle/division and post preferences.
- Upload the required photograph and signature.
- Pay the ₹100 fee if you are not exempt.
- Preview the complete application.
- Submit it before the deadline.
- Save/download the submitted application details for your records.
India Post GDS 2026 Registration: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruitment | India Post GDS Schedule-II, July 2026 |
| Vacancies | 23,757 |
| OTR status | Live |
| OTR deadline | September 19, 2026, 5 PM |
| Application window | September 2–21, 2026 |
| Application deadline | September 21, 2026, 5 PM |
| Basic qualification | Class 10 pass |
| Required subjects | Mathematics and English |
| Age | 18–40 years |
| Selection | Class 10 merit |
| Application fee | ₹100 for applicable candidates |
| Correction window | September 23–24, 2026 |
India Post GDS 2026 Registration FAQ
Is the India Post GDS OTR link active?
Yes. The OTR link for GDS Online Engagement Schedule-II, July 2026, is live on the official India Post portal.
What is the last date for GDS OTR registration?
Candidates can complete One-Time Registration until September 19, 2026, at 5 PM.
What is the last date to submit the GDS application?
The online application and applicable fee must be submitted by September 21, 2026, at 5 PM.
Is a previous GDS registration number valid?
No. India Post has specifically instructed candidates applying under this schedule to register afresh. Registration numbers generated under previous schedules will not be valid.