The Department of Posts (India Post) has been running the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment across two separate 2026 cycles — Schedule-I (January 2026) for 28,636 vacancies, whose merit lists have been progressively released through the year, and the newly announced Schedule-II (July 2026) for 25,000+ vacancies, whose notification was released on 27–28 August 2026.
This guide clearly separates the two cycles — since only Schedule-I has an actual released cutoff at this point — and covers state-wise cutoff figures, the factors driving them, and what to expect once Schedule-II’s own cutoff eventually comes out.
Important Clarification — Which Cycle’s Cutoff Are You Looking For?
This section exists because a lot of confusion circulates online between two separate GDS recruitment cycles running in parallel this year. Getting this distinction right first will save you from checking the wrong numbers.
| Cycle | Vacancies | Current Status (as of 28 Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule-I, January 2026 | 28,636 | 1st Merit List & cutoff already released (6 March 2026); multiple subsequent merit lists (2nd–5th) have followed for unfilled vacancies through the year |
| Schedule-II, July 2026 | 25,000+ | Notification released only (27–28 August 2026); registration starts 31 August, applications open 2–21 September — no cutoff exists yet for this cycle since applications haven’t even begun |
If you’re preparing to apply for the new July 2026 (Schedule-II) cycle, treat every cutoff figure in this article as a reference/historical trend to gauge your competitiveness — not a live cutoff, since Schedule-II’s own cutoff will only be generated after applications close and merit lists are prepared, likely in late 2026 or early 2027 based on past cycle timelines.
India Post GDS Cut Off — Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Department of Posts (India Post) |
| Posts | Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), Branch Postmaster (BPM), Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM), Dak Sevak |
| Selection Basis | Purely merit-based on Class 10 (Matriculation) marks — no written exam, no interview |
| Cutoff Nature | Not pre-fixed — it is the percentage scored by the last shortlisted candidate in a given circle/category |
| Merit List Type | State/Circle-wise & Category-wise, released in multiple rounds |
| Next Stage After Cutoff | Document Verification (DV) |
| Official Website | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in |
India Post GDS Cut Off 2026 — Schedule-I (1st Merit List), State-Wise
These are the officially released cutoff percentages from the 1st Merit List of the Schedule-I, January 2026 cycle (released 6 March 2026) — the most recent, complete, officially published circle-wise dataset available for GDS this year.
| State / Postal Circle | UR (%) | OBC (%) | SC (%) | ST (%) | EWS (%) | PwBD (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 100 | 100 | 100 | 99.83 | 100 | 99.66 |
| Assam | 95.57 | 94.85 | 95.33 | 85.16 | 94.42 | 56.00 |
| Bihar | 99.00 | 99.42 | 98.71 | 93.41 | 98.71 | 97.50 |
| Chhattisgarh | 100 | 100 | 100 | 99.33 | 100 | 98.20 |
| Delhi | 100 | 99.80 | 99.40 | 98.60 | 99.20 | 92.50 |
| Gujarat | 95.20 | 94.60 | 94.80 | 91.40 | 94.00 | 88.40 |
| Haryana | 100 | 100 | 100 | 98.50 | 100 | 96.00 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 99.20 | 98.60 | 98.40 | 97.20 | 98.00 | 90.40 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 98.80 | 97.40 | 97.20 | 94.60 | 96.80 | 88.00 |
| Jharkhand | 99.40 | 99.00 | 98.60 | 97.20 | 98.80 | 91.20 |
| Karnataka | 98.60 | 98.20 | 97.80 | 96.40 | 97.40 | 89.60 |
| Kerala | 99.60 | 99.40 | 98.80 | 97.00 | 99.20 | 92.40 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 100 | 100 | 100 | 98.80 | 100 | 97.40 |
| Maharashtra | 97.40 | 96.80 | 96.40 | 94.20 | 95.80 | 88.20 |
| North Eastern | 94.80 | 93.60 | 92.40 | 90.20 | 93.00 | 82.40 |
| Odisha | 98.20 | 97.60 | 97.40 | 94.80 | 96.80 | 89.40 |
| Punjab | 100 | 99.80 | 99.60 | 98.20 | 99.40 | 93.20 |
| Rajasthan | 95.40 | 95.00 | 94.60 | 93.80 | 94.20 | 87.60 |
| Tamil Nadu | 98.40 | 98.00 | 97.60 | 96.40 | 97.20 | 90.20 |
| Telangana | 97.80 | 97.40 | 97.00 | 95.80 | 96.40 | 89.80 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 97.60 | 97.20 | 96.80 | 95.40 | 96.20 | 91.40 |
| Uttarakhand | 98.20 | 97.80 | 97.40 | 96.20 | 97.00 | 88.60 |
| West Bengal | 98.60 | 98.20 | 97.80 | 96.40 | 97.40 | 89.80 |
Note the exceptionally high figures — several states (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab) show a UR cutoff of exactly 100%. Since GDS selection is purely Class 10 marks-based with no exam to differentiate close scorers, states with very high applicant volume relative to vacancies naturally push the last-selected candidate’s percentage to the maximum possible.
Why GDS Cutoffs Are So Close to 100% in Many States
This section explains the mechanics behind the unusually high figures above — distinct from the raw numbers themselves.
- No written exam to spread out scores: since merit is based purely on Class 10 percentage (often further boosted by grace marks, best-of-5 subject calculations, or state board grading variations), a very large share of applicants cluster near the top of the scoring scale, unlike a competitive written exam which naturally spreads candidates across a wider range.
- Grade-point conversion inflates apparent percentages: for boards using a CGPA/grade-point system, marks are converted using a fixed formula (commonly Grade Point × 9.5), which can push many candidates’ effective percentage into the high 90s or 100% range.
- Extremely high applicant-to-vacancy ratio: GDS requires only a 10th-pass qualification with no entrance exam, making it accessible to a very large pool of applicants — for states with comparatively few vacancies, this pushes the last-selected candidate’s score to the theoretical ceiling.
- Tie-breaking by age: when multiple candidates score exactly 100%, GDS uses the applicant’s age (older candidate preferred) as the tie-breaker, since there’s no further way to differentiate identical marks.
2-Year Cutoff Comparison — How Much Has It Moved?
This section is distinct from the raw state-wise table above — it shows year-on-year movement for a sample of major circles, useful for judging whether this year’s competition is intensifying or easing.
| State/Circle | Previous Cycle UR (%) | 2026 Schedule-I UR (%) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 95 | 100 | ▲ +5.00 |
| Assam | 92 | 95.57 | ▲ +3.57 |
| Haryana | 88 | 100 | ▲ +12.00 |
| Gujarat | 92.8 | 95.20 | ▲ +2.40 |
| Maharashtra | 95.8 | 97.40 | ▲ +1.60 |
| Punjab | 98.4 | 100 | ▲ +1.60 |
| West Bengal | 96.83 | 98.60 | ▲ +1.77 |
The consistent upward movement across almost every sampled circle — Haryana’s jump of a full 12 percentage points is the most striking — signals that GDS competition intensified meaningfully in the most recent cycle compared to the previous one. Candidates applying for the upcoming Schedule-II cycle should treat this as a signal to expect similarly tight or tighter cutoffs, not a relaxation.
Factors That Influence India Post GDS Cut Off
Distinct from the specific numbers above, this section covers the general mechanics that determine how high or low any circle’s cutoff lands in any given cycle.
- Number of vacancies: more GDS posts available in a circle generally allow a comparatively lower cutoff; fewer vacancies intensify competition and push the cutoff up.
- Total applications received: a larger applicant pool in a circle raises the cutoff, since more high-scoring candidates compete for the same limited posts.
- Category-wise reservation: each category (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD) has its own separately calculated cutoff based on its own applicant pool and reservation percentage.
- Overall Class 10 performance trends: as board exam grading and pass percentages shift over time (including grace-mark policies), the pool of high-scoring applicants can grow, pushing cutoffs upward across the board.
- Local language and domicile preference: since GDS gives selection preference to candidates who studied their Class 10 in the same postal circle/state, this affects the effective competition pool within each specific circle.
How to Check Your India Post GDS Cutoff & Merit Status
- Visit the official GDS Online Engagement Portal: indiapostgdsonline.gov.in
- Click on the “Shortlisted Candidates” / “Merit List” section under Candidate Corner
- Select the relevant recruitment cycle (Schedule-I January 2026, or the specific merit list round) and your applied state/postal circle
- Download the circle-wise PDF merit list
- Search for your name/registration number and check the listed cutoff for your category
- If shortlisted, note your Document Verification (DV) deadline mentioned in the same notice
GDS does not maintain a single national cutoff — always check the PDF specific to your applied postal circle and category, since the same candidate’s percentage could clear one circle’s cutoff while falling short in another.
What Happens After Clearing the Cutoff
- Document Verification (DV): shortlisted candidates must report to the designated Divisional/Unit Head office with original certificates (education, category, identity) within the notified window — typically 15 days from the result/merit list date.
- Local language proficiency check: candidates must have studied the local language up to Class 10 as a mandatory requirement; lack of proficiency can lead to rejection at this stage even after clearing the merit cutoff.
- Pre-engagement formalities & basic training: selected candidates typically undergo a short (around 3-day) basic training before formal engagement.
- Subsequent merit lists: if vacancies remain unfilled after a round of DV (due to non-reporting, disqualification, or document mismatches), India Post releases additional merit lists (2nd, 3rd, and so on) from the same applicant pool — so missing one list doesn’t necessarily end your chances within that cycle.
Preparing for the Schedule-II (July 2026) Cycle — What to Expect
Since Schedule-II’s own cutoff doesn’t exist yet, this section translates the Schedule-I data above into practical expectations for candidates applying to the newly notified cycle.
- Registration opens 31 August 2026, with online application submission from 2–21 September 2026 — mark these dates now, since GDS does not typically extend deadlines for technical issues near closing time.
- Choose your postal circle strategically. Given the year-on-year upward cutoff trend shown above, candidates with borderline Class 10 percentages (70–85% range) should specifically research which circles have historically shown comparatively lower cutoffs (such as North Eastern, Assam, or Gujarat) rather than assuming a uniform national standard.
- Keep your Class 10 marksheet and category/domicile documents ready well before the application window opens, since the application process requires uploading these details upfront.
- Don’t wait for the 1st merit list alone. As shown by Schedule-I’s pattern this year (multiple rounds through the year), if you narrowly miss an early list, subsequent merit lists for the same cycle can still offer a path to selection.
India Post GDS Cut Off 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Has the India Post GDS Cut Off for Schedule-II (July 2026) been released?
No. Only the notification was released on 27–28 August 2026. Applications open 2 September 2026, so no cutoff exists for this cycle yet — it will only be generated after applications close and merit lists are prepared.
Q2: What is the most recent officially released GDS cutoff available?
The Schedule-I (January 2026) 1st Merit List cutoff, released 6 March 2026, remains the most complete officially published circle-wise dataset, with several subsequent merit lists released through the year for unfilled vacancies.
Q3: Why are some state cutoffs as high as 100%?
Because GDS selection relies purely on Class 10 percentage with no written exam, a very large pool of high-scoring applicants compete for limited seats — in high-competition states with comparatively fewer vacancies, this pushes the last-selected candidate’s score to the maximum possible.
Q4: Is there a written exam or interview for GDS?
No. Selection is entirely merit-based on Class 10 marks.
Q5: Is the cutoff the same across all states?
No. Cutoffs vary significantly by postal circle and category, ranging from around 56% (Assam PwBD) to a full 100% (several states’ UR category) in the most recent released data.
Q6: How is a tie in marks resolved?
When multiple candidates score identically, preference goes to the older candidate (by date of birth), followed by category/gender-based priority rules as defined by the Department.
Q7: What happens after clearing the cutoff?
Shortlisted candidates proceed to Document Verification, followed by pre-engagement formalities and a short basic training period before final appointment.
Q8: How many vacancies are there in the new Schedule-II (July 2026) cycle?
Over 25,000 vacancies across BPM, ABPM, and Dak Sevak posts, with the exact circle/division-wise breakup available on the official portal.
Q9: When will the Schedule-II cutoff likely be released?
Based on the previous cycle’s timeline (notification to 1st merit list took roughly 7 months for Schedule-I), and with Schedule-II applications closing 21 September 2026, expect the 1st merit list and cutoff for this cycle sometime in the following months — an exact date will only be confirmed by the official portal closer to the time.
Q10: Where can I check the official GDS merit list and cutoff?
On the official GDS Online Engagement Portal, indiapostgdsonline.gov.in, under the Shortlisted Candidates/Merit List section.
This article distinguishes between the Schedule-I (January 2026) cycle, whose cutoff data is officially released, and the Schedule-II (July 2026) cycle, whose notification just came out with no cutoff yet available. It will be updated as Schedule-II’s application window progresses and its own merit list/cutoff is eventually released.