If you have been selected in GDS Online Engagement and your engagement order is stuck because your caste certificate is waiting for physical verification, there is good news.
The Department of Posts (GDS Section), Dak Bhawan, New Delhi has issued a new order on 07.09.2026 allowing verification of caste and category certificates through QR Code, official state online portals and DigiLocker.
This order is expected to speed up the issue of regular engagement orders for thousands of selected GDS candidates across India.
Circular at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Letter No. | 17-03/2024-GDS |
| Issued By | Department of Posts, GDS Section, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi |
| Date | 07.09.2026 |
| Signed By | Gurvinder Singh, Assistant Director General (GDS) |
| Subject | Verification of Caste/Category Certificates through QR Code / Online Portals for GDS Online Engagement |
| Applies To | All Heads of Circles |
| Categories Covered | OBC / SC / ST / EWS |
Why Was This Order Issued?
- Several Postal Circles reported difficulty in getting physical verification reports of caste and category certificates from state authorities.
- The problem was especially severe with the State Government of Haryana.
- Because of this, regular engagement orders were getting delayed beyond the prescribed timeline.
- The Directorate examined the matter and decided to allow official online verification instead.
What Has Been Allowed Now
Caste and category certificates may now be verified using:
- Official state government online verification mechanisms
- QR codes printed on the certificate
- DigiLocker, wherever the verification facility is available
But with one strict condition: the legitimacy of the issuing portal’s domain must be thoroughly authenticated before accepting the verification.
Engaging authorities must:
- Cross-check the portal data with the physical certificate, and
- Keep a verifiable digital record of the verification.
Detailed Guidelines (Annexure) – Point by Point
1. Existing Rules Still Apply
Verification from the issuing authority continues as before. Online verification is an additional option, available where the State/UT Government has officially introduced such a mechanism.
2. Special Provision for Haryana Certificates
For certificates issued by the Haryana Government, the QR code / verification URL printed on the certificate may be used directly. The State Government has specifically informed that physical verification is no longer required.
3. A QR Code Alone Is Not Enough
This is the most important safeguard in the order:
- Just because a certificate has a QR code, barcode or web link, it cannot automatically be treated as genuine.
- The engaging authority must confirm that the QR code or link redirects to the official website of the State/UT Government or the competent issuing authority.
- The domain name of the website must be checked before verification.
- Verification through an unauthorised, private or unverified website must not be accepted.
4. Match Every Detail
The particulars shown on the official portal must be matched with the certificate submitted by the candidate, including:
- Certificate number
- Name of the candidate
- Category
- Date of issue
- Other relevant particulars
The certificate is treated as verified only if the portal details match the physical certificate.
5. DigiLocker Is Preferred
Where the caste/category certificate is available in DigiLocker and verification through DigiLocker is possible, Circles should prefer DigiLocker verification wherever practicable, as it is an additional reliable electronic source.
6. Keep the Verification Record
- Where a verification report can be downloaded, Circles must obtain and keep it on record.
- Where the portal does not allow downloading a report, the engaging authority or IP/ASP (HQ) must record:
- Date of verification
- Name of the portal/website used
- Certificate number verified
- A certificate stating that verification was done through the official portal of the issuing authority and the certificate was found genuine
- A screenshot or printout of the verification result should also be kept on record wherever feasible.
7. Valid Until the New SOP Comes
Until the revised SOP is issued, Circles may use the online verification mechanism officially prescribed by the concerned State/UT Government, subject to the above safeguards. For Haryana Government certificates, the existing QR code / online verification facility may be used.
What Circles Have Been Asked to Do
- Collect state-wise instructions: Every Circle must obtain and send to the Directorate the official communication issued by the concerned State/UT Government about its online verification facility.
- Take up with states that have no such facility: Circles must approach State/UT authorities where online verification is not yet available, and request an authenticated online mechanism.
- SOP update: Information received will be examined and, where found suitable, incorporated into the GDS Online Engagement SOP and shared with all Circles.
A copy of the order has been sent to GM CEPT Mysuru, AD CEPT Mysuru and Hyderabad Units, and the CEPT Portal Upload Team for uploading it on the India Post website.
What This Means for GDS Selected Candidates
- Faster engagement orders. Waiting for a physical verification report from your state office could take weeks or months. Online verification can be done the same day.
- Haryana candidates benefit the most. Physical verification is no longer required for Haryana certificates.
- Keep your certificate clean and readable. The QR code on your certificate must be scannable. A blurred photocopy can create problems.
- Add your certificate to DigiLocker. Since Circles will prefer DigiLocker where practicable, having your caste certificate in DigiLocker can make your verification smoother and faster.
- Details must match exactly. If your name, certificate number or date of issue differs between the portal and the paper certificate, verification will fail. Get corrections done from the issuing authority before your document verification date.
Quick Checklist Before Your GDS Document Verification
- ✅ Original caste/category certificate (OBC / SC / ST / EWS)
- ✅ QR code on the certificate clear and scannable
- ✅ Certificate uploaded and available in DigiLocker, if possible
- ✅ Name spelling exactly matching your GDS application
- ✅ Certificate issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format
- ✅ OBC / EWS certificate valid as on the prescribed date
- ✅ Photocopies plus the original for cross-checking
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is physical verification of the caste certificate fully abolished? No. Existing instructions still apply. Online verification is allowed only where the State/UT Government has officially introduced such a facility.
Q. Is physical verification required for Haryana certificates? No. The Haryana Government has informed that physical verification is no longer required, so the QR code or verification URL on the certificate can be used.
Q. Can any QR code on a certificate be accepted? No. The QR code must redirect to the official State/UT Government portal. The domain name must be checked. Private or unverified websites are not accepted.
Q. Can DigiLocker be used for verification? Yes. Where the certificate is in DigiLocker and verification is possible, Circles should prefer DigiLocker wherever practicable.
Q. What if the portal does not allow downloading a verification report? The engaging authority or IP/ASP (HQ) must record the date, portal name and certificate number, and certify that verification was done through the official portal.
Q. Which letter number should I quote? Letter No. 17-03/2024-GDS dated 07.09.2026 issued by the GDS Section, Department of Posts.
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Final Word
This is a small circular with a big practical effect. Thousands of GDS engagement orders were stuck only because a paper verification report had not come back from a state office. With QR code, official portal and DigiLocker verification now permitted, the process should move much faster.
If your engagement order is pending for caste certificate verification, show this circular reference — Letter No. 17-03/2024-GDS dated 07.09.2026 — to your Divisional Office.
Share it with every GDS selected candidate you know.