GDS Leave Rules Revised: New Leave Sanctioning Powers for BPM, ABPM & Dak Sevak – 2026

 Revision of Leave Sanctioning Authorities of GDS 

The Annexure to Department of Posts Letter No. 17-31/2016-GDS (Pt-Leave), dated 13.08.2026 specifies the revised leave-sanctioning powers for GDS.

1. Leave Without Allowance (LWA)

Sl. No.	Competent Authority	BPM	ABPM / Dak Sevak
1	HSG-I Postmaster	N.A.	Up to 90 days
2	Senior Postmaster / Deputy Chief Postmaster / Officer-in-Charge of Independent Unit not below Inspector Posts/HSG-I	N.A.	Up to 90 days
3	Sub-Divisional Head	Up to 90 days	Up to 90 days
4	Divisional Head / Unit Head (PS Group B & above)	Above 90 to 180 days	Above 90 to 180 days
5	Head of Circle / Head of Region	Above 180 days on genuine illness	Above 180 days on genuine illness
6	CPMG	Beyond 180 days – recognised GDS Union functionaries at National Level	Beyond 180 days – recognised GDS Union functionaries at National Level

⭐ Major change: The LWA sanctioning power of the Sub-Divisional Head for BPMs has been increased from 60 days to 90 days, bringing it at par with ABPMs/Dak Sevaks.

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2. Paid Leave – Maximum 45 Days

Sl. No.	Competent Authority	BPM	ABPM / Dak Sevak
1	HSG-I Postmaster	N.A.	Full Power
2	Senior Postmaster / Deputy Chief Postmaster / Officer-in-Charge of Independent Unit not below Inspector Posts/HSG-I	N.A.	Full Power
3	Sub-Divisional Head	Full Power	Full Power
4	Divisional Head / Unit headed by PS Group B & above	Full Power	Full Power

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3. Emergency Leave – Up to 5 Days

Sl. No.	Competent Authority	BPM	ABPM / Dak Sevak
1	HSG-I Postmaster	N.A.	Full Power
2	Senior Postmaster / Deputy Chief Postmaster / Officer-in-Charge of Independent Unit not below Inspector Posts/HSG-I	N.A.	Full Power
3	Sub-Divisional Head	Full Power	Full Power
4	Divisional Head / Unit headed by PS Group B & above	Full Power	Full Power

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4. Maternity Leave

Competent Authority	BPM	ABPM / Dak Sevak
Divisional Head / Unit headed by PS Group B & above	Full Power	Full Power

Maternity Leave: 180 days.
Miscarriage, including abortion: Up to 45 days during the entire service, subject to prescribed conditions and medical certification.

🔴 Important Highlights

• BPM LWA limit increased from 60 days to 90 days at Sub-Divisional Head level.
• LWA above 90 days and up to 180 days will be sanctioned by Divisional/Unit Heads uniformly for all GDS categories.
• Head of Region (HOR) has been given power, along with Head of Circle, to sanction LWA beyond 180 days on genuine illness.
• Paid Leave and Emergency Leave: Full sanctioning powers are available to the specified competent authorities.
• Maternity Leave: Divisional/Unit Heads continue to have full powers.
• LWA beyond 180 days remains restricted to MTS/Postman officiating, deputation to IPPB/other notified offices, or genuine illness.
• The leave-sanctioning authority will also approve substitute arrangements within its delegated leave powers.
• GDS are required to apply for all admissible leave through APT 2.0/mobile app. Manual leave approval is not permitted.

Source: Department of Posts, GDS Section, Letter No. 17-31/2016-GDS (Pt-Leave), dated 13.08.2026