Since the year 2014, 78,666 Gramik Dak Sevaks (GDS) have been recruited. The figure also includes the 26,159 recruited in 2020-2021. This is as per the comprehensive report tabled in the Rajya Sabha by the Minister of Communications, Law & Justice and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad as a reply to a question raised by Shri G.V.L. Narsimha Rao.
The recruitment has taken place all over the country across different States, Union Territories and Postal Circles. The report lists out the States, Union Territories and Postal Circles where GDS’s have been recruited with yearly breakup of recruitment numbers.
Gramin Dak Sevak is a permanent employment under Central Government of India. Recruitment for these posts is being done by India Post under Rural Postal Service. In order to appear for the GDS admission test, the candidates must have passed Class X with English and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. The candidates should also have studied a local language up to Class X as either a compulsory or an elective subject. The local languages have also been specified by the Department of Posts.
Gramin Dak Sevaks are considered as Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) at the time of absorption. 50% of such recruitments are as per seniority cum fitness basis and 25% through competitive examinations. For candidates up to 50 years of age, 50% of the vacancies are considered in the Postman cadre and 25% in Mail Guard cadre. Unfilled vacancies of Postal Assistants, Sorting Assistants, Postman, Mail Guards out of the promotion quota are offered to Gramin Dak Sevaks provided they meet the basic eligibility criteria of educational qualification and age. They also need to clear an aptitude test.
The report tabled by the Minister of Communications gives a detailed breakup of recruitment numbers of GDS from 2014 till 2020-2021. The figures have been broken up year wise, presented separately for States and Union Territories.
Between 2014 and 2020-2021, 78,033 GDS were recruited in the states. During the same period, 633 GDS were recruited in Union Territories. In 2014, the total number of recruitments in the States was 11131. In Union Territories, the figure was 114. In 2020-2021, recruitment figures in the States were 25,925 and Union Territories were 234.
Amongst the states, Tamil Nadu had maximum number of recruitments at 7871, Mizoram was lowest at 24. As for the Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir clocked maximum recruitments at 258 and lowest was Lakshadweep at 7.
The report also gives the break-up of recruitment in the various Postal Circles. In order to offer postal services, India is divided into 23 Postal Circles. The Chief Postmaster General heads each circle. When it comes to the Postal Circles, Tamil Nadu Circle saw the most recruitment at 7897 and Delhi Circle was lowest at 219. Total number of recruitments in 2014 was 11,245. In 2020-2021, the total number is 26,159.
