GDS Job Profile 2025: Role and Responsibilities of GDS, BPM and ABPM

India Post's Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) post plays a crucial role in delivering postal and financial services, especially in rural areas. The GDS ensures last-mile connectivity by handling mail delivery, customer transactions, and marketing postal products. These positions are not regular government jobs but are governed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020. The roles under GDS include Branch Post Master (BPM), Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPM), and Dak Sevak, each with specific duties in managing postal services efficiently. With flexible working hours and a focus on postal service, the GDS job is ideal for those seeking a semi-government opportunity. Know what is the role and responsibilities for GDS here. 

GDS Job Profile

India Post has released the recruitment notification for India Post GDS 2025. A total of two posts have been released. These posts are Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) i.e. Branch Postmaster (BPM) and Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)/Dak Sevaks] in different offices of the Department of Posts. The job profile for each of the GDS post varies. 

As the GDS selection process is based on the marks obtained in class 10th level, therefore, a large number of candidates apply for it. This year, a total of 21413 GDS vacancies have been released. Candidates can find out what is the GDS job profile, role and responsibilities here on this page. Check the detailed GDS recruitment 2025 here.

Check here: GDS Application Status 2025

Gramin Dak Sevak GDS Job Profile: What Work Does GDS Do?

A Dak Sevak is engaged in various postal offices such as Sub Post Offices, Head Post Offices, and Railway Mail Service (RMS) offices. Candidates are required to be efficient reliable, and have a customer-oriented approach to ensure smooth postal services. Their responsibilities include:

Mail & Banking Services:

• Selling stamps and stationery.
• Delivering mail to customers at their doorstep.
• Handling deposits, withdrawals, and other transactions of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).
• Performing any additional tasks assigned by the Postmaster or Sub Postmaster.

Sorting & Mail Handling:

• Working in sorting offices of Railway Mail Service (RMS).
• Managing the receipt and dispatch of mailbags in mail offices.
• Handling transhipment of mailbags between different locations.

Office Support & Marketing:

• Assisting Postmasters and Sub Postmasters in ensuring smooth postal operations.
• Helping with marketing, business procurement, and other administrative duties

Additional Responsibilities of GDS

Apart from doing the above mentioned GDS jobs, the Gramin Dak Sevak are required to carry out additional tasks assigned by senior officials such as the Post Master, Inspector of Posts (IPO), Assistant Superintendent of Posts (ASPOs), Superintendent of Post Offices (SPOs), Senior Superintendent of Post Offices (SSPOs), Senior Railway Mail (SRM), or Senior Superintendent of Railway Mail (SSRM).

India Post Branch Post Master (BPM) Job Profile

A Branch Post Master or BPM in India post is responsible for administrative and customer service work. A BPM also manages daily mails as well. Here is a list of responsibilities for BPM. 

Managing Daily Operations

The BPM is responsible for handling the everyday activities of the Branch Post Office (BO) and the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) as per the guidelines set by the Department.

Sales & Customer Service

The BPM plays a key role in promoting and selling various postal products and services. They also operate different services at customer service centers (CSCs) under the Department.

Office Management:

If the BPM is working in a single-handed Branch Post Office, they are fully responsible for its smooth functioning, including handling mail transportation and delivery.

In larger Branch Post Offices, where there are Assistant Branch Post Masters (ABPMs) to help, the BPM may still need to take on additional tasks or perform ABPM duties when required. The BPM must also follow any orders given by higher authorities such as the Mail Overseer (MO), Inspector of Posts (IPO), Assistant Superintendent of Posts (ASPOs), Superintendent of Post Offices (SPOs), or Senior Superintendent of Post Offices (SSPOs).

Residence Requirement

A selected BPM must arrange suitable accommodation for the Branch Post Office before officially starting the job. This accommodation must meet the standards set by the Postal Department. The BPM is also required to live in the same village where the Branch Post Office is located.

India Post Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) Job Profile 

The role for the post of India Post ABPM requires the ABPM to be efficient, responsible, and ready to handle both operational and customer service tasks as needed. Listed below are the job requirements, role and responsibilities carried out by ABPM. 

Mail & Banking Services

The ABPM is responsible for selling stamps and stationery, delivering mail to customers at their doorstep, and exchanging mail with the account office. They also handle deposit and withdrawal transactions for India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).

Supporting the BPM

The ABPM assists the Branch Postmaster (BPM) in carrying out daily postal operations as per the guidelines set by the Department.

Sales & Customer Service

The ABPM plays a role in promoting and selling various postal products and services. They also help in running different services at the Customer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Department.

Additional Responsibilities for ABPM

• If the BPM is unavailable or as per instructions, the ABPM may have to take on the responsibilities of the BPM along with their regular duties.
• They must also follow any additional tasks assigned by senior officers such as the Mail Overseer (MO), Inspector of Posts (IPO), Assistant Superintendent of Posts (ASPOs), Superintendent of Post Offices (SPOs), or Senior Superintendent of Post Offices (SSPOs).

Service Conditions and Job Profile of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS)

We have listed the service conditions of GDS below. It includes the working hours, accommodations, etc. 

1. Employment Status

• Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) are not regular employees of the Department of Posts or the Central Government.
• Their salary, allowances, and benefits are not the same as those of Central Government employees.
• They hold Civil Posts but are not part of the official civil services of the state.

2. Service Rules

• GDS service conditions are governed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, which may be updated over time.
• These rules do not fall under Article 309 of the Indian Constitution.
• Most GDS employees are posted in rural areas to provide postal services.

3. Working Hours & Age Limit

• A GDS is required to work a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 5 hours per day.
• A GDS cannot continue service beyond 65 years of age.

4. Income Requirement

• Since the allowances provided by the government may not be sufficient for a full livelihood, a GDS must have an additional source of income to support themselves and their family.

5. Accommodation for BPMs

• Candidates selected as Branch Postmasters (BPMs) must arrange for accommodation at their own expense to set up and operate the Branch Post Office.
• The accommodation should meet the required standards set by the Postal Department.

6. Important Note

• Interested candidates should carefully review the Gramin Dak Sevaks (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, available on the official website of the Department of Posts.

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