Department of Posts Revises Leave Sanctioning Powers for GDS from 13.08.2026
Department of Posts Revises Leave Sanctioning Authorities for GDS
The Department of Posts, GDS Section has issued an important order dated 13.08.2026 revising the leave sanctioning powers of competent authorities for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).
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The revision follows the changes made to the Schedule of Engaging, Disciplinary and Appellate Authorities (SEDA) for GDS vide order dated 26.11.2025. The Department has undertaken the review to bring uniformity and clarity in leave sanctioning powers and align them with the authorities responsible for approving substitute arrangements.
Categories of Leave for GDS
Under the existing provisions, GDS are entitled to various categories of leave, including:
- Paid Leave (PL): 10 days in each half-year, with accumulation up to 45 days.
- Leave Without Allowance (LWA): Up to 180 days in a calendar year under normal circumstances, with provisions for certain specified cases beyond 180 days.
- Emergency Leave: Up to 5 days in a calendar year.
- Maternity Leave: 180 days for eligible female GDS, with maternity leave up to 45 days in cases of miscarriage, including abortion, subject to prescribed conditions.
Major Changes in Leave Sanctioning Powers
LWA Powers Decentralised
The Department has decentralised the powers for sanctioning LWA, Paid Leave and Emergency Leave by delegating powers to HSG-I Postmasters and Senior Postmasters/Deputy Chief Postmasters/Officers-in-Charge of Independent Units, in respect of Dak Sevaks working in their offices.
The Officer-in-Charge of units headed by PS Group B officers and above may further delegate these powers to officers not below the rank of Inspector (Posts)/HSG-I in that office.
LWA for BPMs Increased to 90 Days
A significant change is the enhancement of the LWA sanctioning power of Sub-Divisional Heads for BPMs from 60 days to 90 days. This brings the provision for BPMs at par with the existing powers applicable to ABPMs/Dak Sevaks.
LWA Beyond 90 Days Divisional Heads/Unit Heads will sanction LWA beyond 90 days and up to 180 days uniformly for all categories of GDS. Existing powers relating to LWA for recognised Union functionaries and GDS officiating as MTS/Postman remain unchanged.z
LWA Beyond 180 Days on Genuine Illness
The existing power of the Head of Circle to sanction LWA beyond 180 days on grounds of genuine illness has been extended to the Head of Region (HOR) as well. This is intended to facilitate quicker disposal of such cases.
Paid, Emergency and Maternity Leave
There is no change in the powers of Divisional/Unit Heads for sanctioning Paid Leave, Emergency Leave and Maternity Leave. However, where Divisions/Units are headed by officers above PS Group B level, these powers may be delegated to an officer not below PS Group B level.
The powers of the CPMG for sanctioning leave beyond 180 days to recognised national-level GDS Union functionaries also remain unchanged.
Substitute Arrangements
An important provision in the revised instructions is that the authority competent to sanction leave will also be competent to approve substitute arrangements within its delegated leave sanctioning powers.
Consequently, the existing guidelines/instructions relating to substitute arrangements will stand superseded.
Online Leave Application Made Mandatory
The Department has clarified that the APT 2.0 and mobile application already provide facilities for GDS to apply for all kinds of leave.
Accordingly, GDS are required to apply for all admissible leave through the online mode to maintain online records, facilitate speedy approval and enable end-to-end tracking.
No leave will be approved to GDS through manual mode.
Key Takeaways
The revised instructions provide greater decentralisation of leave sanctioning powers and simplify the approval process for GDS. The major highlights include:
- LWA power for BPMs at Sub-Divisional level increased to 90 days.
- Divisional/Unit Heads to sanction LWA beyond 90 days up to 180 days.
- Head of Region empowered to sanction LWA beyond 180 days on genuine illness grounds.
- Leave sanctioning authority will also approve substitute arrangements within its delegated powers.
- Existing powers for Paid, Emergency and Maternity Leave remain unchanged.
- Online application through APT 2.0/mobile app is mandatory.
- Manual approval of GDS leave is not permitted.
The detailed revised sanctioning powers for LWA, Paid Leave, Emergency Leave and Maternity Leave are provided in the Annexure to the order. The Annexure also specifies delegation conditions and exceptions applicable to different categories of GDS.