- What is Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana
- Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana eligibility criteria
- SPARSH scholarship amount and payment
- How many students get the SPARSH scholarship
- SPARSH Yojana selection process 2026
- Philately quiz syllabus and marks distribution
- Philately project rules for level 2
- How to apply for SPARSH Yojana scholarship
- Documents and details needed in the SPARSH application form
- SPARSH Yojana 2026 last date and circle wise status
- Important Links
Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana Scholarship 2026 Class 6 to 9 is the Department of Posts philately scholarship that pays Rs 6,000 a year to school students who take up stamp collecting. Students of class VI to IX in a recognised Indian school qualify if they scored at least 60 per cent in the last final examination and belong to a school philately club or hold a Philately Deposit Account. Selection is by a written philately quiz followed by a project.
What is Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana
SPARSH stands for Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude and Research in Stamps as a Hobby. The Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communications, runs it to build an interest in philately at school age. It is not a means-tested scholarship and it is not linked to any board examination. It rewards academic consistency combined with a genuine hobby, and it is awarded through the postal circle rather than through a school or education department.
| Scheme question | Official answer |
|---|---|
| What the SPARSH full form is | Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude and Research in Stamps as a Hobby |
| Which ministry runs the scheme | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India |
| Which classes are covered | Class VI, VII, VIII and IX in a recognised school within India |
| What the scholarship rewards | Good academic record combined with philately pursued as a hobby |
| Who conducts the selection | Regional and Circle Offices of the Department of Posts |
| How the award is decided | A philately written quiz at regional level, then a philately project |
Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana eligibility criteria
Two conditions do most of the filtering. The first is the marks bar, which is judged on the previous class final examination rather than the current one. The second is the philately link, which a student can satisfy in either of two ways, so a student whose school has no philately club is not automatically excluded.
| Eligibility condition | What the scheme document requires |
|---|---|
| Which class must the student be in | Class VI to IX in a recognised school within India |
| Minimum marks needed to apply | At least 60 per cent or equivalent grade in the most recent final examination |
| Which exam the marks are taken from | Class V, VI, VII and VIII finals for students now in VI, VII, VIII and IX respectively |
| Marks relaxation for SC and ST | 5 per cent relaxation, so the bar becomes 55 per cent |
| Is a philately club membership must | The school should have a philately club and the student should be a member |
| If the school has no philately club | A student holding his or her own Philately Deposit Account may also be considered |
| What proof of marks is attached | Copies of the progress report, marks card or school certificate with the application form |
SPARSH scholarship amount and payment
The award is a fixed annual amount and is granted for one year at a time, not for the whole of school life. It is paid into a postal banking account, so a student who does not already hold one will need to open it. Continuation depends on the awardee remaining a regular student with good conduct.
| Money question | Official position |
|---|---|
| Scholarship amount per awardee | Rs 6,000 per annum |
| How the amount is paid out | In quarterly instalments of Rs 1,500 each |
| Duration of the award | One year only for a selected candidate |
| Which account receives the money | India Post Payments Bank or a Post Office Savings Bank branch with core banking |
| Can the scholarship be withdrawn | Yes. The competent authority may revoke it if any irregularity in eligibility is found |
| Condition to keep receiving it | The awardee must maintain good conduct and continue as a regular student |
How many students get the SPARSH scholarship
The number of awards is capped per postal circle, and the cap is split evenly across the four eligible classes. This matters when judging the odds, because a class IX student competes only against other class IX applicants of the same circle, not against the whole applicant pool.
| Selection numbers question | What the scheme provides |
|---|---|
| Total awardees from level 2 | Top 40 students in the circle |
| Maximum per class | 10 students each from class VI, VII, VIII and IX |
| Whether classes compete together | No. The quota is separate for each of the four classes |
| Which office declares the result | The Regional or Circle Office of the Department of Posts |
SPARSH Yojana selection process 2026
There are two levels, and one rule about them is easy to miss. Marks scored in the quiz carry no weight in the final decision. The quiz only decides who advances, and the final list is prepared solely on the philately project. A student who scrapes through level one is therefore on equal footing at level two.
| Selection stage | How it works and what it decides |
|---|---|
| Level 1 philately written quiz | A regional-level MCQ quiz that decides who qualifies for the next level |
| Level 2 philately project | Qualified students submit a project, and final selection rests on this alone |
| Does the quiz score carry weightage | No. There is no weightage of quiz marks in the final evaluation |
| Time allowed for the project | Within 15 days after the level 1 selection is announced |
| Where project topics come from | A topic list and guidelines published by the circle with the quiz result |
| Where the result is published | On the concerned postal circle website, along with the project guidelines |
Philately quiz syllabus and marks distribution
The quiz is a 50-question multiple choice paper of one hour, and there is no negative marking. Only 15 of the 50 marks come from philately itself, split between local and national philately. The remaining 35 marks are general school-level awareness, which means a well-read student can compete even with a modest stamp collection.
| Quiz subject area | Marks allotted out of 50 |
|---|---|
| General knowledge and awareness | 5 marks |
| Current affairs | 5 marks |
| History | 5 marks |
| Geography | 5 marks |
| Science | 5 marks |
| Sports, culture and personalities | 10 marks |
| Philately, local and national | 15 marks |
| Total quiz paper | 50 questions for 50 marks, one hour, no negative marking |
Philately project rules for level 2
The project is short by design and is scored on quality rather than bulk. The limits below are strict, and exceeding them works against the entry. Since the final selection depends entirely on this piece of work, it deserves more preparation time than the quiz.
| Project requirement | Limit set by the Department of Posts |
|---|---|
| How long the project can be | Not more than 4 to 5 pages |
| How many stamps may be used | Not more than 16 stamps |
| Word limit for the write-up | Not more than 500 words |
| Who chooses the topic | The student picks any one topic from the list issued by the circle |
| Submission deadline for the project | Within 15 days of the level 1 result announcement, to the concerned Regional Office |
How to apply for SPARSH Yojana scholarship
Applications are made on paper, not online. The form goes to the Superintendent or Senior Superintendent of Post Offices of the student’s own postal division, usually by speed post or registered post. The exact office address is printed on the notification issued by that circle, so the address differs from state to state.
- Check your own postal circle website or divisional post office for the current philately scholarship notification.
- Confirm that you meet the class, marks and philately club or Philately Deposit Account conditions.
- Fill the application form, entering details in both English and Hindi where the form asks for it.
- Attach a passport size photograph attested by the school head or in-charge.
- Enclose the marks card, progress report or school certificate showing the qualifying percentage.
- Enter the Philately Deposit Account number or the school philately club membership number.
- Send the completed form by speed post or registered post to the Superintendent of Post Offices of your postal division before that circle’s last date.
Documents and details needed in the SPARSH application form
The official form is short but it asks for a few things that take time to arrange, particularly the attested photograph and the marks proof. Several entries have to be written in both English and Hindi. Filling these correctly matters, because an incomplete form can be set aside at the divisional office before it ever reaches the quiz stage.
| What the form asks for | How to fill or attach it |
|---|---|
| Student, mother and father name | Written in both English and Hindi as the form indicates |
| Passport size photograph | Attested by the school head or the teacher in charge |
| Class and academic year | The class currently being studied, with the running academic year |
| Percentage of marks | Marks of the last final examination, supported by the marks card or progress report |
| Philately Deposit Account number | The PDA account number and the date since which it is held, if a PDA is being used |
| Philately club membership number | The school philately club membership number, where the school has a club |
| School and residential address | Full address with PIN code, mobile number and email for contact |
SPARSH Yojana 2026 last date and circle wise status
There is no single all-India closing date for this scholarship. Each postal circle issues its own notification with its own last date, quiz date and submitting office, which is why dates seen for one state do not apply to another. Readers should treat only their own circle notification as binding, and should not rely on a date quoted for a different state.
| Date question | Position verified on 16.08.2026 |
|---|---|
| Is there a single national last date | No. Every postal circle notifies its own last date for the same scheme |
| All-India 2026-27 calendar status | No consolidated circle-wise calendar was published on the Department of Posts SPARSH page as on 16.08.2026 |
| Where your own last date comes from | The notification issued by your postal circle or divisional Superintendent of Post Offices |
| Typical timing seen in past cycles | Applications have generally closed in early to mid September, with the quiz held in late September or October |
| 2025-26 cycle reference point | The West Bengal circle document scheduled the quiz result for October 2025, and the Department reserves the right to revise dates |
| What to do if no notice is visible | Ask the head post office of your division, since some circles publicise it locally through schools and post offices |
Important Links
Use the official Department of Posts destinations below. Your own circle notification carries the address and last date that apply to you.
| Resource | Direct link |
|---|---|
| India Post SPARSH and philately page | Open official SPARSH page |
| Download Official Scheme Document PDF | Download SPARSH scheme document |
| Circle notification and application form PDF | Open circle scheme document and form |
| PIB release on the philately scholarship | Read Ministry of Communications release |
| India Post official website | Open India Post website |
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🔥 Related: Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana Scholarship 2026 Class 6 to 9
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana scholarship amount?
Rs 6,000 per annum per awardee, paid in quarterly instalments of Rs 1,500 into an India Post Payments Bank or Post Office Savings Bank account.
Which classes can apply for SPARSH Yojana?
Students of class VI, VII, VIII and IX studying in a recognised school within India.
What percentage of marks is required?
At least 60 per cent or equivalent grade in the most recent final examination, with a 5 per cent relaxation for SC and ST candidates.
Can I apply if my school has no philately club?
Yes. A student holding his or her own Philately Deposit Account may also be considered when the school philately club has not been established.
How many students are selected under SPARSH?
Up to 40 students per postal circle, with a maximum of 10 students from each of class VI, VII, VIII and IX.
What is the SPARSH selection process?
Level 1 is a regional philately written quiz and level 2 is a philately project. Final selection is decided only on the project.
Do quiz marks count in the final selection?
No. There is no weightage of quiz marks in the final evaluation. The quiz only decides who qualifies for level 2.
What is the philately quiz pattern?
A multiple choice paper of 50 questions for 50 marks in one hour, with no negative marking.
What subjects come in the philately quiz?
General knowledge, current affairs, history, geography, science, sports and culture, and philately. Philately carries 15 of the 50 marks.
What are the philately project limits?
Not more than 4 to 5 pages, not more than 16 stamps and not more than 500 words, submitted within 15 days of the level 1 result.
What is the last date to apply for SPARSH Yojana 2026?
There is no single national 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.
How is the SPARSH application submitted?
On paper, by speed post or registered post, to the Superintendent or Senior Superintendent of Post Offices of the applicant's postal division.
Is the scholarship renewed automatically?
No. The award is for one year only, and it may be revoked if any irregularity in the eligibility criteria is found.