Revision of Leave Sanctioning Authorities of GDS

Department of Posts Revises Leave Sanctioning Powers for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS)

Letter No.: 17-31/2016-GDS (Pt-Leave)

Department of Posts, GDS Section

Dated: 13.08.2026

Subject: Revision of leave sanctioning authorities of GDS

The Department of Posts has revised the leave sanctioning powers for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) following the revision of the Schedule of Engaging, Disciplinary and Appellate Authorities (SEDA) dated 26.11.2025. The revision aims to bring uniformity between leave sanctioning authorities and authorities responsible for approving substitute arrangements.

Key Changes

• Leave Without Allowance (LWA), Paid Leave and Emergency Leave: Powers have been decentralised by delegating authority to HSG-I Postmasters, Senior Postmasters, Deputy Chief Postmasters and Officers-in-Charge of Independent Units, subject to the conditions specified in the Annexure.
• BPM LWA: The sanctioning power of Sub-Divisional Heads for BPMs has been increased from 60 days to 90 days, bringing it at par with ABPMs/Dak Sevaks.
• LWA above 90 days: Divisional Heads/Unit Heads will sanction LWA beyond 90 days and up to 180 days uniformly for all categories of GDS.
• LWA beyond 180 days due to genuine illness: The existing power of the Head of Circle has been extended to the Head of Region, enabling quicker disposal.
• Paid, Emergency and Maternity Leave: There is no change in the powers of Divisional/Unit Heads. Delegation is permitted to an officer not below PS Group B in eligible units/divisions.
• National-level GDS Union functionaries: CPMG's existing power to sanction leave beyond 180 days remains unchanged.
• LWA beyond 180 days continues only for specified cases: officiating against MTS/Postman posts, deputation to IPPB or another notified office, and genuine illness.
• The leave sanctioning authority will also approve substitute arrangements within its delegated leave sanctioning powers. Existing substitute-arrangement instructions therefore stand superseded.
• Online leave application is mandatory: GDS must apply for all admissible leave through APT 2.0 and the mobile app. Manual leave applications/approvals will not be permitted.

Leave Entitlements

• Paid Leave (PL): 10 days in each half-year, with accumulation up to 45 days.
• Leave Without Allowance (LWA): Up to 180 days in a calendar year under normal circumstances, with specified exceptions.
• Emergency Leave: Up to 5 days in a calendar year.
• Maternity Leave: 180 days for eligible female GDS; maternity leave up to 45 days may be granted in cases of miscarriage, including abortion, subject to the prescribed conditions and medical certificate.

Important: No LWA exceeding 180 days is admissible except for officiating as MTS/Postman, deputation to IPPB/other notified offices, or genuine illness.

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