GDS Online Engagement Schedule-I, January 2026 – Preparatory Exercise and timelines for online applications - DOP OM No. 17-37/2025-GDS dated 31/12/2025

17-37/2025-GDS

I/202167/2025

F.No. 17-37/2025-GDS

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts

(GDS Section)

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

Delhi - 110 001

Date : 31-12-2025

To

1. All the Chief Postmasters General
2. The GM, CEPT Bengaluru

Subject: GDS Online Engagement Schedule-I, January 2026 – Preparatory Exercise and timelines for online applications - reg.

Sir /Madam,

This is regarding the preparatory exercise to be carried out by Divisions and circles for GDS Online engagement, Schedule-I, January 2026, and timelines for submission of online applications in the GDS engagement portal. In this context, following timelines for different activities related to currentSchedule of GDS Online Engagement have been decided:

SI No	Activity	Timelines
1.	Vacancy capturing by the Division	05.01.2026 to 12.01.2026
2.	Approval of the vacancy captured by the Division by the Circle	12.01.2026 to 14.01.2026 (upto 1400 Hrs)
3.	Approval of vacancies by the Directorate	14.01.2026 (1400 Hrs onwards)
4.	Start and End Date for Online Registration by Applicants	20.01.2026 to 04.02.2026
5.	Date and Time for submission of online applications and fee payment	25.01.2026 to 05.02.2026 (23:00 hrs)
6.	Date for correction in the Application Form, including payment of online payment, if any.	08.02.2026 to 10.02.2026 (23:00 hrs)
7.	Release of the first list (Tentative)	20.02.2026

For final vacancies notification, the following vacancies as on 31.12.2025, would be included/excluded by the Divisions (as also communicated vide this section email dated 26.12.2025) :

(A) To be Included: -

(a) Vacancies arising between 01.01.2025 and 31.12.2025 due to resignation, transfers, discharge, including voluntary discharge, termination/removal/dismissal on disciplinary grounds, promotion, long-term deputation (above six months) to IPPB & APS, etc.

(b) Unfilled vacancies of GDS Online Engagement Schedule, January 2025.

(c) Vacant BPM posts of all Branch Post Offices.

(B) To be excluded: -

(a) Post of ABPM/Dak Sevak found to be non-justified as per existing instructions, except for posts of ABPM/Dak Sevak in unbanked villages /LWE area.

(b) Posts declared surplus or proposals for declaring surplus alreadysubmitted.

(c) Vacancies caused due to the death of the GDS (which are to be kept reserved for compassionate engagement only)

(d) Vacancies in pipeline due to Verification Report pending from (i) Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh (Allahabad Board), (ii)West Bengal Council of Rabindra Open School, West Bengal, (iii) Bihar Open School Education and Examination Board, Patna.

Therefore, Circles are requested to adhere to the strict timelines kept for completing the preparatory exercise and freezing the vacancies under the GDS Roster Management under APT 2.0. The CEPT is requested to open portal for vacancy capturing and registration/ online applications submission in GDS online engagement Portal as per the above timelines.

A certificate by the Circles and Divisions regarding completion of the above preparatory works, along with total notified vacancies to be uploaded in the Portal.

This issues with the approval of the Secretary (Posts).