Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana 2026: ₹6,000 Annual Scholarship, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

Launched by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications, the Deen Dayal SPARSH (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby) Yojana encourages young schoolchildren to take up philately. Stamp collection serves as an enriching hobby that de-stresses students while broadening their knowledge of history, culture, and science. Under this scheme, 920 scholarships are distributed nationwide, with each postal circle granting up to 40 scholarships (10 per grade from classes 6 to 9) following a circle-level quiz and project evaluation.

Benefits

• Annual scholarship of ₹6,000 per student (calculated at ₹500 per month).
• Scholarship is disbursed on a quarterly basis at ₹1,500 every three months through IPPB or Post Office Savings Bank.
• A total of 920 scholarships are awarded across India (maximum 40 per postal circle, distributed equally among classes 6th to 9th).
• Participating schools receive mentorship from experienced philatelists to run school-level philately clubs and assist with projects.
• Tenure of the scholarship is one year, with the option to reapply in subsequent eligible years.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Applicant must be a regular student in Class 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th.
• Student must be studying in a recognised school anywhere in India.
• Student must be a member of their school's Philately Club, or must hold an individual Philately Deposit Account if the school does not have a club.
• Applicant must have scored a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grade in the most recent final annual examination.
• Students belonging to SC or ST categories are entitled to a 5% relaxation (minimum 55% marks required).

Who cannot apply

• Students studying in classes other than 6th to 9th are not eligible.
• Students scoring below 60% marks (below 55% for SC/ST) in their recent annual exam are not eligible.
• Students who do not hold a philately club membership or a Philately Deposit Account are excluded.

Documents required

• Marksheet of the previous qualifying annual examination
• Bonafide certificate issued by the school
• Proof of Philately Club membership or Philately Deposit Account details
• Valid identity proof of the student
• Joint bank account details (IPPB or Post Office Savings Bank CBS account with parents)
• Caste certificate (for SC/ST applicants claiming mark relaxation)

How to apply

1. 1Download the official Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana application form or obtain it from the postal division.
2. 2Complete all mandatory sections of the application form and attach the required self-attested documents.
3. 3Submit the application in person or send it via speed post/registered post to the concerned Regional or Divisional Head of the Department of Posts.
4. 4Schools can also compile and submit application forms for all interested students in a single envelope.
5. 5Appear for the Philately Quiz organised by the respective Postal Circle on notified topics.
6. 6Shortlisted candidates must submit their Philately Project work for assessment by the Circle-level evaluation committee.
7. 7Selected awardees must open a joint account with a parent at an India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) or CBS-enabled Post Office branch to receive the quarterly disbursements.

Frequently asked questions