How Much Does A GDS Make? (Job Profile And How To Apply)

Updated 13 August 2022

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The post of Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) is a popular job profile at rural post offices. India Post appoints Gramin Dak Sevaks for various roles, including branch postmasters, assistant branch postmasters and Dak Sevaks. If you are planning a career as a GDS, then understanding the position and its pay structure can help you make an informed career decision. In this guide, we answer some common questions about GDS, including "How much does a GDS make?" and "What are the eligibility requirements to become a GDS?"

How Much Does A GDS Make?

The salary for GDS posts depends on the candidate's appointment level and role. As per recruitment notifications from India Post, here is the minimum pay for different levels and job profiles:

Branch postmaster: They earn a minimum monthly salary of ₹12,000 for four hours of work per day while in level One. When they progress to Level Two, the minimum monthly wage for five hours of daily work is ₹14,500.
Assistant branch postmaster and Dak Sevaks: The minimum monthly salary for these jobs is ₹10,000 for four hours of work per day in Level One. For Level Two candidates, the minimum monthly wage for five hours of work per day is ₹12,000.

How Is GDS Salary Different From Other Post Office positions?

The postal department pays GDS candidates allowances based on the Time-Related Continuity Allowances (TRCA) scheme. Under this scheme, the monthly salary for Gramin Dak Sevaks varies based on the number of hours they work daily. Depending on their level, GDS candidates work for four to five hours per day, which is lower than the average work time of regular post office employees.

The Gramin Dak Sevak posts are outside the purview of the Civil Service of the Union. GDS candidates work on a part-time basis, and their salary does not fall under the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission, which fixes the salary for other central government employees. These posts fall under the ambit of the GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules 2020 under India Post. The postal department recruits GDS candidates as extra-departmental agents to serve at post offices in rural areas.

What Is The Eligibility To Become A GDS?

India Post has set up various eligibility criteria to become a GDS. They are:

Minimum and maximum age limit for candidates is 18 and 40 years, respectively
secondary school certificate equivalent to 10th from any recognised state or central board
Minimum passing marks in mathematics, local language and English subjects at the 10th standard level
Studied local language at least till 10th standard
Undergone basic computer training certification from any recognised computer training institute
Take up residence in the branch post office village/post office delivery jurisdiction within one month of selection

A relaxation in the upper age limit is available for candidates belonging to scheduled castes, tribes and other backward castes. Candidates with physical disabilities also get upper age limit relaxation up to a maximum of 15 years. Candidates who have studied computer science as a subject in Class X or XII are not required to provide a separate computer training certificate.

Job Profile Of A GDS Branch Postmaster

The GDS branch postmaster (BPM) is responsible for managing the overall affairs of the branch post office and all gram panchayat post offices within the jurisdiction. Here are the duties of a branch postmaster:

Ensuring the smooth and timely functioning of the branch post office, including mail delivery and mail conveyance
Providing uninterrupted counter operation to customers during working hours
Handling customer operations on the smartphone/laptop/handheld device from the postal department
Maintaining postal records and other postal facilities of the branch
Marketing India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) services to customers
Organising fairs to promote and obtain business for the post office

The services by the postmaster in promoting IPPB facilities do not come under the TRCA pay calculation. Instead, the postmaster receives compensation for the sales on an incentive basis. The assistant branch postmaster helps the postmaster in carrying out the various duties. In the case of small rural post offices, the branch postmaster carries out the combined responsibilities of the assistant as required.

Job Profile Of A GDS Assistant Branch Postmaster

The assistant branch postmaster (ABPM) assists the branch postmaster in the smooth functioning of the post office. Their core responsibilities include:

Handling the sale of stamps and stationery at the branch
Delivery of mail at the doorstep of the recipient
Assisting the branch postmaster in counter duties like recording customer transactions

Just like the branch postmaster, the assistant postmaster's work for selling and promoting the services of IPPB does not fall under TRCA calculation. The pay for these services is on an incentive basis.

What Is The Job Profile Of A Dak Sevak?

A Dak Sevak carries out all the post office duties as instructed by the branch postmaster or assistant branch postmaster. This includes mail delivery, selling of stamps and other stationery and handling IPPB work. In the case of Railway Mail Services (RMS), the Dak Sevak oversees all RMS-related work like opening and closing of mail bags, transporting mail bags manually to the correct locations and other miscellaneous work as instructed by RMS authorities. Besides Dak Sevaks, some rural post offices also have mail carriers and mail openers as separate posts, depending on the size of the post office.

How To Apply For The Post Of GDS

Here are the steps you can follow if you want to become a GDS:

1. Track recruitment notifications

India Post announces vacancies and invites applications for GDS posts for different postal circles via its official website - GDS online engagement. You can bookmark this site and monitor live notifications from the employer. Once India Post announces recruitment notifications, you can download the announcement and go through the instructions thoroughly before registering online. Make sure to complete and submit the online application before the closing date.

2. Register online

You can then register online by filling out a form with details like:

Name in capital letters as per class X mark sheet
Father's name
Mobile number (only one registration for each mobile number)
Date of birth
Gender
Community
Type and percentage of disability (if any)
State in which the candidate appeared for class X exams
Class X board
Year of passing class X
Class X certificate number
Transgender certificated issued by a district magistrate (if applicable)

Keep in mind that only one registration is allowed per candidate. Candidates can also apply for vacancies in another circle using the same registration number instead of submitting a new application. The entire process is online and India Post handles it using the GDS online engagement website.

3. Upload documents and make payment

Before submitting the application, you are typically required to upload the necessary documents like your Class 10th certificate, community certificate and photo. Ensure that all documents are legible and clear. Applicants belonging to the upper reserved category, other backward castes and economically weaker men typically have to pay a fee along with the application. Women, transwomen, scheduled cast (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) candidates and those with physical disabilities are exempted from the registration fees.

What Is The Selection Process For GDS?

To be eligible for GDS, candidates require passing grades in all their subjects in the 10th-grade board examinations. India Post prepares a merit list listing all eligible candidates in order of the marks secured in class 10. Only class 10 marks from approved state and central boards are considered for the merit list. Indian Post does not give weightage for marks in other higher education qualifications like 12th or college to generate the merit list.

What Are The Documents Required For The GDS Application?

Here is a list of documents you may have to upload while submitting your online application:

Secondary school certificate from a recognised school board (mandatory)
Supplementary mark sheets, pass certificates, name change certificate and date of birth certificate (optional)
EWS, PWD or community certificates (for candidates applying for EWS/PWD/community reservations)
Computer training certificates from a government recognised university, college or training institute (optional)

You can upload the documents only once, even when you are applying for different circles. The uploaded documents are made available for your subsequent applications for other vacancies.

When And Where To Apply For GDS Posts

You can submit your application for GDS posts only when the corresponding postal circle issues live notifications. India Post announces several recruitment notifications in a year for each postal circle based on available vacancies. These notifications are denoted in cycle numbers. The complete list of upcoming vacancies and completed cycles are available on the homepage of the GDS online engagement website. You can track the start and end dates for submitting applications for each circle on the homepage. The registration process is via the official website, and offline applications are not accepted.

Salary figures reflect data listed on the quoted websites at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.