The wait is finally over for lakhs of India Post aspirants. The GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 has been officially released on 11 May 2026 on the official portal. If you missed out on the first two rounds, now is your moment — go check your name right now.
The Department of Posts released this list for candidates who applied for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), Branch Postmaster (BPM), and Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) posts across India. The merit list is available state-wise in PDF format. All you need is your 7-digit registration number.
GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Department of Posts, Government of India |
| Total Vacancies | 28,636 |
| Posts | GDS, BPM, ABPM |
| Recruitment Cycle | Online Engagement Schedule-I (January 2026) |
| 1st Merit List Released | 6 March 2026 |
| 2nd Merit List Released | 10 April 2026 |
| 3rd Merit List Released | 11 May 2026 |
| Total Selected (3rd List) | 6,690 candidates |
| Official Website | indiapostgdsonline.gov.in |
How to Download GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 PDF Step by Step
- Visit the official website: indiapostgdsonline.gov.in
- Click on “Online GDS Recruitment”
- Click on “Shortlisted Candidates: Schedule-I, January 2026”
- A list of all 23 postal circles will appear on your screen
- Click on your respective state or postal circle
- The state-wise GDS 3rd Merit List PDF will open
- Press Ctrl + F and type your 7-digit Registration Number
- If your number appears congratulations, you are shortlisted!
Pro Tip: The PDFs can be very large. Use the Ctrl + F search function instead of scrolling manually. It saves time and sanity — both are precious.
How to Check GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 via Roll Number
Your registration number is your identity in this entire process. Here is how to use it:
- Open the downloaded state-wise PDF
- Press Ctrl + F (on Windows/Linux) or Cmd + F (on Mac)
- Type your 7-digit registration number
- If it appears, your name, allotted post, division, and document verification details will be right there
GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 State-wise and City-wise PDF Links
The India Post releases the merit list separately for each postal circle (state). Here are all the major circles for which the 3rd Merit List 2026 is available:
| Postal Circle | State / Region |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Andhra Pradesh |
| Assam | Assam |
| Bihar | Bihar |
| Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Gujarat | Gujarat |
| Haryana | Haryana |
| Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Pradesh |
| Jammu & Kashmir | J&K |
| Jharkhand | Jharkhand |
| Karnataka | Karnataka |
| Kerala | Kerala |
| Madhya Pradesh | Madhya Pradesh |
| Maharashtra | Maharashtra |
| North East | North East States |
| Odisha | Odisha |
| Punjab | Punjab |
| Rajasthan | Rajasthan |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu |
| Telangana | Telangana |
| Uttar Pradesh | Uttar Pradesh |
| Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand |
| West Bengal | West Bengal |
GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 Total Selected Candidates
A total of 6,690 candidates have been provisionally selected in the GDS 3rd Merit List 2026. Maharashtra recorded the highest number of selections with 1,075 candidates, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
These candidates will now move to the next stage Document Verification and Medical Examination.
What Happens After GDS 3rd Merit List 2026?
Getting your name in the list is step one. Here is what comes next:
Document Verification (DV)
Shortlisted candidates must report to the designated Divisional Head Office for document verification within 15 days of the merit list release. Do not miss this deadline — missing DV means losing your selection.
Documents required for DV:
- Original Class 10th Marksheet and Certificate
- Date of Birth proof
- Category Certificate (SC / ST / OBC / EWS — if applicable)
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Computer Certificate (can be submitted later if not available)
- Two passport-size photographs
- Valid ID proof
- Originals + 2 sets of self-attested photocopies of all documents
Medical Examination
After DV, shortlisted candidates go through a medical examination. Final appointment happens only after both stages clear successfully.
Final Appointment
Candidates who clear Document Verification and Medical Examination get their appointment order for the allotted GDS post and division.
GDS Selection Process How is the Merit List Prepared?
This is one thing every candidate must understand clearly.
India Post does NOT conduct any written exam or interview for GDS recruitment.
Selection is based entirely on Class 10 board examination marks. The merit list is auto-generated based on these marks. When two or more candidates share identical Class 10 percentage (up to 4 decimal places), the tie is broken by:
- Age — preference goes to the older candidate
- Category reservation — in this order: ST Female → SC Female → OBC Female → EWS Female → UR Female, then ST Male → SC Male → OBC Male → EWS Male → UR Male
Will There Be a GDS 4th Merit List 2026?
Possibly. If vacancies remain unfilled after the 3rd list’s Document Verification, India Post may release a 4th merit list. Historically, the department has released up to 4–5 supplementary lists until all vacancies are filled. Candidates not selected in the 3rd list should keep checking the official portal.
Conclusion
The GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 is out, and 6,690 candidates now have a real shot at a Government of India job. Head to indiapostgdsonline.gov.in, select your postal circle, download the PDF, and search your registration number using Ctrl + F.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When was the GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 released?
The India Post GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 was released on 11 May 2026 on the official website indiapostgdsonline.gov.in.
Q2. How do I download the GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 PDF?
Visit indiapostgdsonline.gov.in → Click on GDS Online Recruitment → Select Schedule-I January 2026 → Choose your postal circle → Download the Supplementary List III PDF.
Q3. How many candidates are selected in GDS 3rd Merit List 2026?
A total of 6,690 candidates have been provisionally selected across all postal circles in the 3rd Merit List 2026.
Q4. How do I check my name using roll number in GDS merit list?
Download the state-wise PDF, open it, press Ctrl + F, and type your 7-digit registration number to instantly find your name.
Q5. What is the total number of GDS vacancies in 2026?
The Department of Posts announced a total of 28,636 vacancies for GDS, BPM, and ABPM posts under the January 2026 recruitment cycle.










