SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has 1,123 vacant posts of Gram Dak Sevaks (GDS) against a sanctioned strength of 6,747, with 5,624 personnel in position, according to data provided by the Union Ministry of Communications in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The figures, based on the position as on July 20, 2026, show that around 16.6 per cent of sanctioned GDS posts in Jammu and Kashmir are vacant. The Union Government did not provide a separate vacancy figure for Ladakh in the state-wise annexure.
Across the country, the Government has sanctioned 3,78,826 GDS posts, of which 3,08,460 are occupied, leaving 70,366 vacancies. Jammu and Kashmir accounts for about 1.6 per cent of the total sanctioned strength and 1.6 per cent of vacancies nationally. Its vacancy rate is broadly in line with the national level of around 18.6 per cent.
Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of sanctioned GDS posts at 37,844, followed by Tamil Nadu with 25,007 and West Bengal with 21,772. Uttar Pradesh also has the highest number of vacancies at 6,837, while Tamil Nadu has 4,277 and West Bengal 4,184.
In a written reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1800, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the Government continuously reviews the service conditions and workload of GDS personnel, with their workload assessed every three years.
The Government said the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) and other allowances of GDS are generally revised about once every 10 years based on recommendations of a departmental committee constituted after the Central Pay Commission process for regular employees. The last such review was undertaken through a committee constituted in November 2015, which submitted its report in November 2016.
Based on the committee’s recommendations and consultations with the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Personnel and Training, the Government said GDS service conditions, TRCA structure, allowances and social security benefits were enhanced. Leave provisions were also revised, including the introduction of 180 days of maternity leave for female GDS.
During the last five years, welfare measures have included higher Circle Welfare Fund contributions, increased financial assistance for purchasing tablets, mobile phones and computers, concessional loans for construction of Branch Post Office accommodation and for purchasing two-wheelers or electric vehicles. Financial assistance has also been increased for serious illnesses, accidents while on duty and other contingencies.
The Government said representations concerning regularisation of GDS services, pension benefits and parity with departmental employees are received from time to time. However, it clarified that GDS personnel are governed by rules distinct from those applicable to regular Government employees.
According to the reply, the Supreme Court has held that GDS are holders of civil posts outside the regular Civil Service and their service is therefore not counted for pension.
GDS personnel are not covered by a pension scheme but are entitled to benefits including GDS gratuity, Group Insurance and severance benefits or benefits under the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme for those engaged on or after April 1, 2011. The Government said the latter is akin to the National Pension System applicable to regular employees.
The Government also said GDS are eligible for absorption into departmental posts such as Multi-Tasking Staff, Postman, Mail Guard, Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant, subject to the applicable recruitment rules.
Other welfare support includes financial assistance from the Circle Welfare Fund for funeral expenses, accidents, serious illnesses and natural calamities, as well as scholarships for the children of GDS personnel.
