Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Telecom Excellence Award 2026: ₹2 Lakh Cash Award, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

Administered by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Telecom Excellence Award (PDUTEA) promotes groundbreaking innovations and capacity development across the Indian telecom landscape. It recognises individuals, institutions, and organisations that have generated verifiable positive impact across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and commerce over the past three years.

Benefits

• Cash award of ₹2,00,000 per awardee.
• Recognition with a Shawl, Citation, and Plaque.
• Reimbursement of economy class airfare by the shortest route.
• Lump sum amount of ₹7,500 to cover boarding, lodging, and incidental expenses.
• National recognition for notable contributions in the telecom sector.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Applicant must be an Indian citizen or an organisation/institution registered in India.
• Must have delivered notable contributions in the telecom sector during the last 3 years.
• Contributions should be in telecom innovations, skilling, services, manufacturing, or telecom-based applications.
• Must demonstrate tangible impact in sectors like agriculture, health, education, or commerce.
• Work carried out must be verifiable and executed within India.
• Applicant must not have received this award in the last 3 years.
• Regular government employees are not eligible unless the work was not part of official duties, or performed after retirement.

Who cannot apply

• Applicants who have already received this award within the last 3 years.
• Regular government personnel performing the work as part of their standard official duty.

Documents required

• Detailed description of contribution and work done
• Recommendation letter from the organisation (if work was carried out in an official capacity)
• Proof of identity (for individuals)
• Registration certificate of the organisation (for institutions)
• Supporting documents and evidence of work
• Annual reports of the last 3 years (for organisations, if requested)
• Memorandum and Articles of Association (if applicable)
• Self-certification by the applicant
• Proof of contribution period covering the last 3 years

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in.
2. 2Register your account and fill out the online application form for PDUTEA.
3. 3Upload the detailed description of work, evidence, and other required supporting documents.
4. 4Submit your recommendation letter if the work was completed in an official organisational role.
5. 5Finalise and submit the nomination before the deadline for scrutiny by the Award Sub-Committee.

Frequently asked questions