The India Post Department has released the first merit list for the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Recruitment 2026, sparking widespread debate over the exceptionally high cutoffs. In several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, the cutoff for the General category has reached 100 percent. This has left candidates with 98 percent marks unable to secure positions, causing disappointment among the youth, particularly in UP and Bihar.

Selection for GDS posts is based on 10th-grade marks. Where candidates with higher scores apply, the merit list naturally climbs significantly. In Bihar, major divisions like Patna, Begusarai, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali have seen candidates with 99 percent or even 100 percent marks selected for various positions.

A primary reason cited for these soaring cutoffs is the large number of applicants from other states. Youth from Haryana, Punjab, and Telangana, among others, are applying for jobs in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, intensifying competition for local candidates.

The issue of 100 percent marks awarded to students in 10th grade during the COVID-19 period in some states is also linked to these high cutoffs. With exams canceled due to the pandemic, students were passed without examinations, and these scores are now forming the basis for GDS selection. These high-scoring candidates are applying across state lines, making it challenging for local youth to secure employment.

Similar trends are observed in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi circles, where numerous divisions have reported 100 percent cutoffs for the unreserved category. The possibility of inter-state transfers after two years is also a factor motivating out-of-state applicants, although this depends on departmental rules. Postal officials have noted that some employees from other states face difficulties with local languages, affecting their work efficiency.