New Delhi: India Post’s GDS Online Engagement Schedule-I (January 2026) is running on a two-step timeline—OTR (one-time registration) remains open until February 14, 2026 (up to 17:00 hours), while online application submission and fee payment continue until February 16 (up to 17:00 hours).
The official notification also states only one registration is permitted per candidate, and multiple or duplicate registrations/applications are prohibited and can lead to cancellation of candidature.
Why now: Registration is mandatory before applying online, so candidates who miss the OTR cut-off may not be able to submit the application within the notified schedule.
Key highlights
- Critical deadline: OTR closes on February 14, 2026, up to 17:00 hrs (IST)
- Who is affected: Candidates who have not completed one-time registration yet
- Immediate action: Complete OTR first, then submit the application and fee (if applicable) by February 16, 17:00 hrs; use February 18–19 for permitted corrections only (mobile number and email ID cannot be changed)
Core facts
India Post (Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications) has invited online applications to fill vacant Gramin Dak Sevak posts—Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) and Dak Sevak—in different offices, with circle/division-wise vacancies listed in Annexure-I/on the portal.
The official application link mentioned in the notification is: https://indiapost.gov.in/gdsonlineengagement.
As per the schedule in the notification:
- Online One-Time Registration (OTR): 31.01.2026 to 14.02.2026 (up to 17:00 hrs)
- Submission of online applications and fee payment: 02.02.2026 to 16.02.2026 (up to 17:00 hrs)
- Corrections in registration/application (including fee payment, if applicable): 18.02.2026 to 19.02.2026 (up to 17:00 hrs)
Impact and official response
The GDS portal’s help instructions say applicants must use a unique mobile number and email ID, both OTP-verified, and there is no provision to change these details during the recruitment process.
The same portal instructions state the application fee is ₹100, while all female/trans-woman candidates and all SC/ST candidates are exempted from fee payment.
India Post has clarified that applicants are not required to attach/upload documents with the application form, but they must upload a recent photograph and signature as prescribed, and they should avoid re-registering if they spot errors after submission.
FAQs
OTR closes on February 14, 2026, up to 17:00 hours (5 pm IST). You must finish registration first because the portal’s instructions say registration is mandatory before you can submit an online application.
Online application submission and fee payment are open until February 16, 2026, up to 17:00 hours. If you do not complete OTR by February 14, you may be unable to proceed to the application stage in time.
Applicants need Class 10 pass with passing marks in Mathematics and English and must have studied the prescribed local language up to Class 10. The notification also lists other qualifications like computer knowledge, cycling knowledge and adequate means of livelihood.
The notification describes shortlisting based on a system-generated merit list using Class 10 marks and system conversion of grades/points into percentage (to four decimals). Shortlisted candidates then have to report for physical verification within the stipulated timeline.
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