Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana 2026 | Scholarship Scheme to Promote Philately | Check Eligibility / Selection Process

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby) is a philately scholarship scheme of the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications. The 2026-27 cycle of this central government scheme opened on 1 August 2026 and gives an annual scholarship of rupees 6,000 to school students studying in Class VI to IX who keep a good academic record and pursue philately as a hobby.

The scheme has been running since 2017-18 and aims to build an interest in stamp collection among children at a young age. It is a Pan India scheme that is implemented through the postal circles of the Department of Posts, and it is not linked to any board examination or family income.

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana 2026 Complete Details

Under the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, up to 40 scholarships are offered to each postal circle, with a maximum of 10 students from each of class VI, VII, VIII and IX. The amount is paid in quarterly instalments of rupees 1,500 each into an India Post Payments Bank or Post Office Savings Bank account that has core banking facility.

The award is given for one year at a time, and an already selected student can apply again the next year as long as he or she still meets the conditions. The scholarship can be withdrawn if any irregularity in the eligibility criteria comes to light.

Detail	Information
Scheme Name	Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana
Launched By	Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications
Beneficiaries	Students of class VI to IX in recognised schools
Benefit Amount	Rupees 6,000 per year, paid quarterly
Selection	Philately quiz followed by a project
Application Mode	Offline through the postal circle
Official Website	indiapost.gov.in

Eligibility Condition

A student must meet a few basic conditions to apply for the scholarship. The marks bar is judged on the previous class final examination, and the philately link can be shown in either of two ways.

• The candidate must be a student of a recognised school within India and must be studying in class VI, VII, VIII or IX.
• The school should have a philately club and the candidate should be a member of that club. If the school has no philately club, a student holding his or her own Philately Deposit Account may also be considered.
• The candidate must have scored at least 60 per cent marks or an equivalent grade in the most recent final examination. There is a 5 per cent relaxation for SC and ST candidates, which brings the bar down to 55 per cent.

Selection Procedure

Selection under the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana is done in two levels. Level 1 is a written philately quiz and level 2 is a philately project. The quiz only decides who moves ahead, and the final selection is made only on the project work.

• Level 1 is a multiple choice quiz of 50 questions for 50 marks in one hour, with no negative marking. The paper covers general knowledge, current affairs, history, geography, science, sports and culture, and philately.
• Level 2 is a philately project of not more than 4 to 5 pages, using not more than 16 stamps and a write-up of not more than 500 words. The student picks any one topic from the list issued by the circle.
• The project must be submitted within 15 days of the level 1 result being announced. A committee of postal officials and philatelists at the circle level evaluates the project.

How to Apply

Applications for the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana are made on paper and not online. Each postal circle issues its own notification with its own last date, so the exact office address and deadline differ from state to state.

STEP 1 - Check the official India Post SPARSH page at indiapost.gov.in/sparsh-philately and your own postal circle website for the current notification.

STEP 2 - Confirm that you meet the class, marks and philately club or Philately Deposit Account conditions before filling the form.

STEP 3 - Fill the application form, attaching a passport size photograph attested by the school head or teacher in charge, and enclose the marks card or progress report showing the qualifying percentage.

STEP 4 - Send the completed form by speed post or registered post to the Superintendent or Senior Superintendent of Post Offices of your postal division before that circle's last date.

Disbursement of Scholarship

The scholarship amount is paid into a postal banking account, so a student who does not already hold one will need to open it. The payment is made in quarterly instalments.

• The awardees are asked to open a joint account with their parents in India Post Payments Bank or Post Office Savings Bank in a branch that has core banking facility.
• Each postal circle selects the awardees and hands over the list of beneficiaries to IPPB or POSB for payment of the scholarship.
• IPPB or POSB pays the scholarship on a quarterly basis, with rupees 1,500 paid each quarter after getting the list from each circle.

Official Links

For the full scheme details, visit the official India Post SPARSH page at indiapost.gov.in/sparsh-philately. The scheme document can be downloaded from indiapost.gov.in/documents/offerings/SPARSH.pdf. The details in the document are available in both English and Hindi.

FAQ's

What is the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana scholarship amount?

The scholarship amount is rupees 6,000 per year per awardee, paid in quarterly instalments of rupees 1,500 each into an India Post Payments Bank or Post Office Savings Bank account.

Which classes can apply for the SPARSH Yojana?

Students of class VI, VII, VIII and IX studying in a recognised school within India can apply for the scheme.

What is the last date to apply for the SPARSH Yojana 2026?

There is no single national last date. Each postal circle notifies its own last date, so check the notification issued by your own postal circle or divisional Superintendent of Post Offices.