If you are dreaming of working in the Indian Postal Department, the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) job is one of the best options. It is a government job with flexible working hours, decent salary, and long-term job security.
In this article, we’ll explain everything about the India Post GDS salary, job profile, allowances, and benefits in simple and easy-to-understand language.
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:
- Branch Post Master (BPM) – Head of the Branch Post Office.
- Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPM) – Helps the BPM in day-to-day work.
- 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 in India Post GDS
Apart from basic salary, GDS employees receive various allowances that increase their total earnings. Let’s understand each one:
1. Dearness Allowance (DA)
The DA is paid to adjust for inflation. It’s calculated as a percentage of basic pay and revised twice every year (January & July).
2. Office Maintenance Allowance (OMA)
Branch Post Masters receive ₹100 per month to maintain the branch office and stationery.
3. Stationery Allowance
GDS workers receive ₹25/month (for BPM) and ₹10/month (for other categories) to buy stationery used in official work.
4. Cash Conveyance Allowance
For handling cash transactions and carrying money between post offices, employees receive ₹50/month.
5. Cycle Maintenance Allowance (CMA)
Dak Sevaks and ABPMs who use their personal bicycles for delivering mail get ₹60/month as maintenance allowance.
6. Boat Allowance
For postal workers who deliver mail through boats in riverine or island areas, ₹50/month is paid as a special allowance.
7. Combined Duty Allowance (CDA)
BPMs who perform multiple duties (like delivery or conveyance) get an extra ₹500/month.
8. Fuel or Conveyance Allowance
In some circles, fuel or conveyance allowances are provided to those who use personal vehicles for official work.
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:
- Branch Post Master (BPM) → Postal Assistant (PA)
- Assistant BPM / Dak Sevak → Postman / Mail Guard
- 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:
- Post Type: BPMs get the highest salary, followed by ABPM and Dak Sevak.
- Working Hours: The more hours you work, the higher your TRCA.
- Location: Rural, hilly, and remote areas may get additional allowances.
- Experience: With more service years, your pay gradually increases.
- 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 not look very high initially, but it provides stability, job security, and growth. With time, experience, and departmental exams, you can easily move up to higher positions in India Post.
It’s an ideal job for those living in rural areas who want a respected government position with decent income and flexible working hours.
