If your dream is to work in the Indian Postal Department, the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) position is an excellent choice. This government job offers flexible working hours, a respectable salary, and long-term job security, making it highly sought after.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the India Post GDS job—including salary structure, job responsibilities, allowances, and benefits—explained in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

What is India Post GDS?

The Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) is an important position in the India Post Department. The main goal of GDS is to improve postal services in rural areas.

Under this scheme, India Post recruits candidates for three main roles:

1. Branch Post Master (BPM) – Head of the Branch Post Office.
2. Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPM) – Helps the BPM in day-to-day work.
3. Dak Sevak – Handles mail delivery, sorting, and customer support.
   

These posts are available in rural and semi-urban areas across India. The GDS recruitment is done by the Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, and is based on 10th class marks (no written exam).

India Post GDS Salary Overview 2025

The India Post GDS Salary mainly depends on the post, location, and working hours. Every GDS is paid based on the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) — which means your salary depends on the number of working hours.

Salary Structure (as per the latest pay scale)

Post	Working Hours	Minimum TRCA (Basic Pay)	Maximum TRCA
Branch Post Master (BPM)	4 – 5 Hours	₹12,000	₹29,380
Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPM)	4 – 5 Hours	₹10,000	₹24,470
Dak Sevak	4 – 5 Hours	₹10,000	₹24,470

So, if you join as a BPM, your starting salary will be around ₹12,000–₹14,000 per month, which can go up to ₹29,000 with experience and promotions.

ABPMs and Dak Sevaks generally earn between ₹10,000–₹20,000 per month, depending on duty hours and allowances.

In-Hand Salary (After Deductions)

The in-hand salary means the amount you actually get after all deductions such as taxes or insurance.

Here’s the approximate monthly in-hand salary:

Post	In-Hand Salary Range
BPM	₹13,000 – ₹25,000
ABPM	₹11,000 – ₹20,000
Dak Sevak	₹10,000 – ₹18,000

The salary increases gradually based on years of service, working hours, and additional allowances.

Allowances & Perks for India Post GDS Employees

Apart from the basic salary, GDS employees enjoy several allowances and perks that boost their overall earnings. Let’s take a closer look:

1. Dearness Allowance (DA)
   This allowance helps employees cope with inflation. It’s calculated as a percentage of the basic pay and revised twice a year (January & July).

2. Office Maintenance Allowance (OMA)
   Branch Post Masters (BPMs) receive ₹100/month to maintain the branch office and cover stationery expenses.

3. Stationery Allowance
   GDS employees receive ₹25/month (BPM) or ₹10/month (other categories) to buy stationery for official work.

4. Cash Conveyance Allowance
   Employees handling cash transactions and transferring money between post offices get ₹50/month.

5. Cycle Maintenance Allowance (CMA)
   Dak Sevaks and Assistant Branch Post Masters (ABPMs) using their personal bicycles for mail delivery receive ₹60/month for maintenance.

6. Boat Allowance
   Postal workers delivering mail via boats in riverine or island regions are paid ₹50/month as a special allowance.

7. Combined Duty Allowance (CDA)
   BPMs performing multiple duties such as delivery and conveyance earn an additional ₹500/month.

8. Fuel or Conveyance Allowance
   In some areas, employees using personal vehicles for official duties may receive fuel or conveyance allowances.

Job Profiles and Responsibilities

Each GDS role has its own responsibilities. Let’s see them one by one.

1. Branch Post Master (BPM)

• Head of a branch post office.
• Responsible for managing all operations — deposits, withdrawals, insurance, and mail delivery.
• Must ensure smooth postal operations and supervise ABPMs and Dak Sevaks.
• Works 4–5 hours per day depending on branch size.
• Also manages India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) transactions.

2. Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPM)

• Assists the BPM in running the branch office.
• Handles counter work like sale of stamps, booking of speed posts, and updating accounts.
• Helps in delivery and mail sorting when needed.
• Works around 4–5 hours daily.
  

3. Dak Sevak

• Responsible for mail delivery, collection, and assisting customers.
• Delivers letters, parcels, and money orders.
• May be posted at sorting offices or sub-post offices.

Working Hours and TRCA (Time Related Continuity Allowance)

GDS employees don’t work full-time like other government employees. Instead, their pay is linked with their working hours.

• 4-hour duty = Minimum TRCA (Basic Pay)
• 5-hour duty = Maximum TRCA (Higher pay scale)

So, if you’re working more hours, your salary increases accordingly.

Promotion and Career Growth

The GDS job can be a stepping stone to permanent postal jobs. Many employees get promoted to higher posts through departmental exams.

Promotion Opportunities:

1. Branch Post Master (BPM) → Postal Assistant (PA)
2. Assistant BPM / Dak Sevak → Postman / Mail Guard
3. Mail Guard → Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant

After gaining experience, GDS employees can appear for departmental exams like:

• Postman / Mail Guard Exam
• Postal Assistant Exam
• Inspector Posts (IPO) Exam

With every promotion, your salary, perks, and benefits increase significantly.

Example of Salary Calculation

Let’s take a practical example of how much a GDS can earn:

Post: Branch Post Master (BPM)
Working Hours: 5 Hours
Basic Pay (TRCA): ₹12,000
Dearness Allowance (45%): ₹5,400
Other Allowances: ₹1,000 (approx.)
Total Salary: ₹18,400 per month

In-Hand Salary after deductions: Around ₹17,000/month

If you include yearly increments and bonuses, your annual income can reach ₹2.5–₹3 lakh.

Factors Affecting GDS Salary

The salary of a Gramin Dak Sevak may vary due to several reasons:

1. Post Type: BPMs get the highest salary, followed by ABPM and Dak Sevak.
2. Working Hours: The more hours you work, the higher your TRCA.
3. Location: Rural, hilly, and remote areas may get additional allowances.
4. Experience: With more service years, your pay gradually increases.
5. Government Revisions: Whenever the government revises DA or TRCA, salaries increase automatically.

Additional Benefits and Facilities

Besides salary, India Post provides many facilities and benefits to its GDS employees:

• Insurance coverage under Postal Life Insurance (PLI).
• Leave benefits (paid leaves, maternity leave, paternity leave).
• Increment every year in TRCA.
• Training programs for improving work skills.
• Gratuity benefits after years of service.
• Job security and pension benefits (as per latest rules).
  

GDS Salary After 7th Pay Commission

After the 7th Pay Commission, major improvements were made in GDS salary and allowances.

• The minimum TRCA for BPM increased to ₹12,000/month.
• The maximum TRCA for BPM reached ₹29,380/month.
• For ABPM and Dak Sevak, the TRCA range is ₹10,000–₹24,470.
• DA and allowances are revised twice yearly to match inflation.

This revision made GDS jobs much more attractive compared to earlier years.

Pros and Cons of India Post GDS Job

Advantages:

• Government job with regular income.
• Posting near home in rural areas.
• Less work pressure compared to other central jobs.
• Flexible working hours.
• Career growth opportunities through departmental exams.
  

Disadvantages:

• Initial salary may feel low.
• Mostly part-time nature of work.
• Fewer benefits compared to Group-B or Group-C central jobs.

Still, for many, it’s an excellent starting point for a long postal career.

Real Example of GDS Salary (After Joining)

A newly appointed Dak Sevak in a rural area can expect:

• Basic Pay: ₹10,000
• DA (45%): ₹4,500
• Cycle + Conveyance Allowance: ₹100
• In-hand: ₹14,500/month approx.
  

A BPM after 5 years of service might earn:

• Basic Pay: ₹16,000
• DA (45%): ₹7,200
• Other Allowances: ₹1,000
• In-hand: ₹23,000/month approx.

Summary – India Post GDS Salary Highlights

Post	Starting Salary	Maximum Salary	Working Hours
BPM	₹12,000	₹29,380	4 – 5 Hours
ABPM	₹10,000	₹24,470	4 – 5 Hours
Dak Sevak	₹10,000	₹24,470	4 – 5 Hours

Average in-hand salary ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 per month depending on your post and location.

Top 5 FAQs on India Post GDS Salary

1. What is the starting salary of India Post GDS?

The starting salary for GDS depends on the post. BPMs get ₹12,000/month, while ABPM and Dak Sevak receive ₹10,000/month as basic pay. Including allowances like DA and cycle maintenance, the total in-hand salary becomes ₹12,000–₹15,000/month.

2. What is the highest salary of a GDS employee?

A Branch Post Master (BPM) can earn up to ₹29,380/month as per the current pay matrix. When allowances like DA, conveyance, and maintenance are added, the total pay may exceed ₹30,000/month in some circles.

3. Is India Post GDS a permanent government job?

Yes, GDS is a central government job under the Department of Posts. However, it is a non-pensionable position, meaning full pension benefits may not apply. Still, employees get job security, insurance, gratuity, and increments similar to government norms.

4. What is TRCA in India Post GDS salary?

TRCA stands for Time Related Continuity Allowance. It is the basic salary system used for GDS employees. The more working hours (4 or 5 hours) you have, the higher your TRCA and salary. It ensures fair pay based on duty hours.

5. What are the benefits and promotions in GDS jobs?

GDS employees can appear in departmental exams to become Postmen, Mail Guards, or Postal Assistants. They also enjoy yearly increments, paid leaves, insurance, and training benefits. Over time, they can move to permanent postal jobs with better pay and perks.

Final Words

The India Post GDS salary may seem modest at first, but it offers stability, long-term job security, and growth opportunities. With experience and by clearing departmental exams, employees can progress to higher positions within the postal department.

This role is especially ideal for those in rural areas, offering a respected government job, a decent income, and flexible working hours, making it a perfect balance of responsibility and convenience.